Golden Years Senior Softball

Golden Years Senior Softball Rules & Regulations 

Mission Statement 

Our purpose is to provide a recreational senior softball environment in the spirit of camaraderie for seniors age 62 and over. Teams will be made up of players with a balanced skill level and will adhere to the Rules and Policy adopted by the league. The Board of Directors shall govern the league. In the event an issue comes up that is not covered in the league rules the Board of Directors will look to the “Official Senior Softball-USA Rulebook” for guidance. 

League Management 

INITIAL COMPOSITION OF BOD

Golden Years Softball shall be governed by its Board of Directors (“BOD”) comprised of six (6) members.  The BOD shall be divided into two (2) classes of three (3) Directors; the three Directors in Class A shall serve an initial term that ends on August 31, 2027 and the three Directors in Class B shall serve an initial term that ends on August 31, 2028.  The initial Class A Directors are Barry Kaplan, John “Rip” Parent, and Mike Axelberd.  The initial Class B Directors are Mike Dart, Barry Frankel, and Howard Gaines. 

BOD ELECTIONS AFTER INITIAL TERMS EXPIRE; ELEGIBILITY TO SERVE AND TO VOTE

After expiration of their respective initial terms, Class A Directors shall be elected by electronic or online vote of league participants to be held during the month of August, commencing in August of 2027 and Class B Directors shall be elected by electronic or online vote of league participants to be held during the month of August, commencing in August of 2028.  To be eligible to vote in Director elections or to be a candidate for the BOD, a person must have participated in the League during the prior eleven (11) months as a regular player, reserve player, manager, Director or Commissioner.  Each such participant shall have the right to vote for one, two or three persons in each Director election. 

During each Director election, the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall become Directors and shall serve for a term of two (2) years in length, commencing September 1 immediately following their election.  There shall be no limit on the number of terms for which a participant shall be eligible to serve as Director, 

REMOVAL OF DIRECTOR

Any member of the BOD may be removed from his position by the affirmative vote of at least four (4) other Directors, whenever in the collective judgment of the BOD, the best interest of the League is served by such removal. 

COMMISSIONER ELECTION, TERM

The BOD shall elect the League Commissioner (“Commissioner”), who shall serve as the League’s chief executive officer.  Election of the Commissioner shall require the affirmative vote of four (4) or more Directors.   The Commissioner must be a League participant but need not be a Board member. The Commissioner shall serve for a term of two (2) years commencing the date of his election. 

REPLACEMENT OF COMMISSIONER BOARD SEAT; FILLING BOD VACANCIES

In the event that the BOD elects a Director to serve as Commissioner, the Commissioner shall cease to be a member of the BOD and the BOD shall act promptly to fill the vacancy on the BOD, with such replacement Director serving the remainder of the term vacated by the Commissioner.  Similarly, if any seat on the BOD becomes vacant due to resignation, inability to serve, removal, or otherwise, the Board shall act promptly to fill the vacancy, with such replacement Director serving the remainder of the term vacated by such Director. 

COMMISSIONER REMOVAL

The Commissioner may be removed from his position by the affirmative vote of at least four (4) Directors, whenever in the collective judgment of the BOD, the best interest of the League is served by such removal. 

COMMISSIONER DUTIES AND POWERS

The Commissioner shall have responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the League, implementation and enforcement of policies of the BOD, management of all external relationships with vendors, sponsors and Palm Beach County, and other duties and responsibilities and statutory powers generally exercised by presidents of entities described in the Florida general nonprofit corporation law.  

SECRETARY AND TREASURER ELECTION, TERM, DUTIES, REMOVAL

The BOD shall elect a Secretary and a Treasurer each year from among the BOD.  Such BOD officers shall have statutory powers described in the Florida general nonprofit corporation law.  Specifically, the Secretary shall conduct Director elections as described above.  The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve in such capacity for the remainder of their respective terms as Director.  The Secretary and Treasurer may be removed from his position by the affirmative vote of at least four (4) Directors, whenever in the collective judgment of the BOD, the best interest of the League is served by such removal.  

BOD MEETINGS, MANNER OF ACTING, 4 VOTES REQUIRED, TIE-BREAKING

The BOD will oversee the management and operation of the League.  From time to time, the BOD shall set policies and establish rules that are consistent with demonstrating general fairness, operating efficiently and promoting enjoyment of League participants.   The BOD shall conduct at least four (4) regular meetings during each calendar year, with meeting calendar to be determined by the BOD.  In addition, Special Meetings of the BOD may be called by any Director or the Commissioner on at least three (3) days’ notice to the other Directors.   Meetings of the BOD shall be conducted in-person, on teleconference, or on group video conferences (such as Zoom, Teams, etc.) to accommodate schedules, travel and seasonal residency of Directors.   Action by the BOD at any meeting shall require the affirmative vote of no fewer than four (4) Directors; provided, however, in the event that the BOD is evenly divided with three (3) Directors voting in favor of a resolution and three (3) Directors voting against it, the Commissioner shall serve as the fourth vote regarding such resolution and such vote of the Commissioner shall determine the outcome.  

BOARD COMMITTEES, STANDING COMMITTEES

The BOD shall create standing committees from time to time.  The initial standing committees shall be the Ratings Committee and the Rules Committee.   The BOD shall appoint the Chairman of each standing committee, and the committee Chairman shall then select the members of the committee, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. Each standing committee shall be comprised of seven (7) members, of whom at least two (2) must be Directors; the Chairman shall select the remaining members of each standing committee from League participants who were eligible to vote in the most recent Director election. 

COMMISSIONER COMMITTEES, TEMPORARY COMMITTEES

The Commissioner may, from time to time, establish temporary committees.   In doing so, the Commissioner shall appoint a Chairman of such temporary committee, and the Chairman shall select remaining members of such committee from League participants who were eligible to vote in the most recent Director election. 

COMMITTEE MEETINGS, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

Committees shall meet at place and time and in such manner as determined by their Chairman.

The Chairman of each committee shall report committee recommendations to the BOD from time to time.  The BOD shall, in its sole discretion, determine whether to adopt such recommendations during its deliberations; provided, however, that determinations by Ratings Committee as to player ratings shall be final and not subject to approval by BOD.  

MISC BOARD ACTION AND EMPOWERMENT

The Board of Directors may authorize a Board member or committee Chairman to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the League. Such authority may be general or may apply to specific instances. Whenever more than one signature is required, the Commissioner shall be authorized to sign along with any other member of the Board of Directors.

 

League Parameters 

Section 1:  Player Requirements 

·       All players must be 62 years of age by the end of the season in which they will compete in with exceptions as approved by the        BOD.

·       All players must be fully paid and have filed an application and signed a waiver in order to play in league games, pickup games and to be a reserve player.

·       The application fee for a player registering for any season must be paid in full prior to the day of the draft to be included in the draft.

·       Registered and fully paid players in a given season will be allowed to play in league or pickup games until the start of the next season.

·       Any registered player not drafted to a team will be placed on the reserve list. They may ask for a full refund and will not be placed on the reserve list. They may ask for a 50% refund and be placed on the reserve list as a reserve and pickup player.

·       New players joining after the draft may be assigned to a team if a spot is available and it does not change the competitive balance of the league. Otherwise, they will be placed on the reserve list by the BOD. 

Section 2:  Playing Seasons and Playoffs

·       The league will operate using a three-season format.

·       The seasons will be designated Winter, Summer and Fall

·       The number of teams, schedule of games and playoff structure for each season will be determined and approved by the BOD prior to the start of each season.

·       The length of a given season will be determined by the number of teams, field availability, holidays and tournament days during the season.

·       A season’s schedule can be adjusted as needed during the season due to weather conditions that do not allow for the completion of the scheduled games. Adjustments can be in the form of playing on an off day, playing a double header or as last resort to the actual cancellation of games. All such adjustments are to be approved by the BOD.     

·       Presently Winter and Fall seasons games will be scheduled as 9 innings with the Summer as 7 innings.

·       The playoff structure will be determined each season by the BOD. The preferred playoff schedule would be a double elimination tournament with all teams participating. If this is not feasible due to field availability, number of days required or any other circumstance the BOD will determine the playoff schedule to be used that season.   

Section 3:  Draft

·       The Draft will be conducted in a manner that is commonly called a “Snake Draft” with all players being available during any round.

·       Draft order to be determined by selecting from deck of playing cards with the starting order being from highest to lowest ranked card. The draft will continue in snake pattern until all rounds are complete.

·       Current ratings system will be used to evaluate new players, guide the managers as to a player’s abilities and rank those players going on the reserve list for proper placement when used as a replacement player.

·       Each season the BOD will determine the limit of the number of players per team. Present expectations are that teams will consist of a maximum of 12 roster slots.

·       Managers and /or players may recruit new players for the league but not specifically for their team.

·       Managers will be assigned a draft position by the ratings committee and approved by the BOD and the assigned draft position will be final. They will be the only players assigned a specific draft position and team.

·       A “helper” may be used to assist a manager with the draft process provided they are rated 6 to 12. The “helper” would then be assigned to the manager’s team in the appropriate draft position. Example: If the helper was rated as a 9 by the ratings committee, then that player would be assigned to the managers team in the 8^th draft position. The manager and helper cannot be assigned to the same draft position. In the event that this would occur a decision on draft position placement will be made by the ratings committee.   

·       All other players shall be available to be drafted in any position and are not preassigned to a specific team.

·       Trades are allowed upon completion of the draft and before the end of game day 4 and subject to approval of the BOD. Trades may only be done when the traded players are no more than one rating apart. (A 4 may be traded for a 3, 4 or 5). Exceptions can be made by the BOD.

·       Players cannot request to play for a specific manager, with a specific player or to not play for a specific manager. If a player chooses not to play for the team that they were drafted by a player from the reserve list may be selected by the manager with BOD approval to replace that player. The player choosing not to play will not be included in the next seasons draft.

 

Section 4: Pitching 

·       The league will utilize a pitching screen as a means to protect the pitcher from bodily harm by being hit by a batted ball. It is highly recommended that the pitcher get behind the screen after releasing the ball but it is not required.

·       The screen will be placed in-line with the front pitching rubber with one leg of the screen in contact with the pitching rubber. The leg in contact with the rubber can be placed anywhere on the rubber. The screen must extend towards the base on the glove hand side of the pitcher.

·       The foot of the pitcher may be positioned anywhere on the rear pitching rubber and must be in contact with the rubber until the ball is released.

·       The pitcher’s body may be positioned behind the screen but the pitch may not be delivered over the screen.

·       The pitching motion must include a full stop of at least one second prior to starting the pitcher’s motion. The pitcher’s motion starts when the pitcher makes movement of the pitching arm and must be in one continuous motion. 

·       The pitcher may take a step in any direction as long as it is simultaneous with the movement of the pitcher’s arm and release of the ball.

·       A pitch may not be delivered from the glove. 

Section 5: Batting

·       The manager may designate an EH, a player who does not have to play the field.

·       All scheduled games will be played with the batter beginning each at bat a 1 ball 1 strike count. Each at bat shall be based on a standard 4 ball 3 strike count.

·       A batter with 2 strikes will be given one courtesy 3^rd strike on either a foul ball or a ball that hits the pitching screen. If a second batted ball is a foul ball or hits the screen the batter is out. 

·       A legal pitch shall be between 6 to 12 feet in height above the ground.

·       A batted ball hitting the pitching screen before being touched by a defensive player is a dead ball and a strike.

·       Any batted ball that is touched by a fielder prior to contacting the screen is a live ball.

·       Any thrown ball that hits the screen is a live ball.

·       A foul tip that does not go over the batter’s head but is caught by the catcher is a strike. Should the ball go over the batter’s head and is caught the batter is out.  

·       Any pitch not called illegal that hits the “wood” plate is a strike. Simultaneous contact with the dirt and plate will be a discretionary call by the umpire. Benefit will go towards the pitcher. 

·       A batter touching first base with a bat in hand will be declared out.

·       Intentional walks shall be confirmed with the fielding team’s manager prior to awarding the batter first base.

·       There will be a limit of 2 walks per inning per team.

·       If 2 walks have occurred in an inning, any subsequent batters who have a count go to 4 balls, the count will reset to 1-1. Should the count go to another count of 4 balls, the batter WILL walk. The reset-walk sequence will be in effect for the remainder of the inning.

·       A batter may be walked once per game either unintentional or intentional. Once this has occurred the manager may refuse the second walk at which point the count will reset to 1-1. Should this batter go to another count of 4 balls, the players manager may elect for the batter to accept a walk or have the count reset to 1-1 unless there have been 2 walks in the inning then the 2 walks per inning rules shall apply.

·       ANY player that hits a ball over the fence is considered a homerun and the “hit & sit” rule will apply. The batter and any runners do not need to advance to the next base and may go directly to the dugout

·       A batter may not be walked to create an out due to a missing player caused by an ejection. The next batter in the lineup will come to bat. 

Section 6: Runners

·       There are two first bases. The runner must touch the outer base on all plays at first base. The runner will be allowed to touch the inside base in order to avoid a collision with the fielder at which point the fielder may touch the outer base.

·       There will be no penalty when a bad throw draws the fielder into the runner.

·       All attempts will be made by both the fielder and runner to avoid a collision. Should a collision happen, it will be an umpire’s decision as to the result of the play.

·       Runners that over run 2^nd or 3^rd base may be tagged out. 

·       Any runner while in fair territory that is hit by a batted ball will be out and the ball declared dead.

·       A team may have an unlimited number of Run-for players (RF) and two Run from the fence players (RFF). Any player may be a substitute runner for either an RF or RFF.

·       RFF players shall be designated on the team’s lineup card. 

·       A player may only be a substitute runner once per inning: provided, however, if a team bats around in the unlimited inning, a player may be a substitute runner again but ONLY for the player for whom he ran earlier in the inning.

·       Once a substitute runner takes the place of an RF or an RFF he may not be replaced by another player.

·       A substitute runner coming to bat while on base shall be declared “out”. Such substitute runner then must leave the base and takes his appropriate turn at bat. If such declared “out” is the third out of the inning, the substitute runner shall leadoff the next inning.

·       A substitute runner for an RFF shall not be limited to a “single only” and may run as many bases as he can (including completing a home run) in the same manner as if he were the batter.

·       An RFF will be out if the batter touches first base or if the umpire determines that the batter has interfered with the play at first. The play will be dead, but any results before play is called dead will count. The umpires shall award the base or bases that in their judgment the runner(s) would have reached had there not been any interference.

·       The batter is responsible for not interfering with a play at the plate.  

·       Runners on 1^st and 3^rd base may step into foul territory as a safety precaution for being hit by a batted ball. They must retouch the base prior to running to the next base. Failure to do so will result in an out on appeal by the opposing manager.

·       All plays at home are force plays.

·       There is a “no return” commitment line placed 30 feet from 3^rd base.

·       A runner can be tagged out if caught in a run down between 3^rd base and the no return commitment line

• Once a runner touches or goes past this line, the runner must continue toward the runner's home plate.
• If the runner returns towards third base after crossing or touching the commitment line and re-crosses the commitment line, the runner is automatically out and no defensive play is necessary.
• Should a fielder step on the wood plate while in possession of the ball with the runner past the commitment line but not yet touch the Runner's home plate the runner shall be called out.
•  There is a "Runner's Home Plate located bewteen the fence and the Fielder's Home Plate. The runner must either step on the Runner's Home Plate or on or over the line to the right of the Runner's home plate to be safe at home. If the runner steps on the Fielder's Home Plate they will be declared out.
•  In the event of an overthrow through an open gate or into a dugout bench, all runners will be awarded the base they are going to plus one or more and the award will be governed by the positions of the runners when the ball left the fielder's hands.
• Sliding into any base shall be allowed, including the runners “home plate”.

Section 7: Game Play 

·       All players are to wear the correct team shirt.

·       The batting team will be allowed a maximum of 6 players on the field of play. The batter, two on deck batters, two coaches and the manager or his designee.

·       All players must play a minimum of three (3) full innings in the field and bat during the entire game. Exceptions when both teams do not have 12 players.

·       Managers are not allowed to play 12 players in the field.

·       The league will supply a new ball and a good backup.

·       All gloves are legal.

·       All bats are legal except altered bats (All bats subject to ISA dimensions).

·       Single games to start at 9:30 am with no time limit. Batting practice and warm-ups at approximately 9:00 am.

·       Double games, the first game will start at 9:00 am with an estimated completion time of 1 hour 30 minutes. The second game would then begin at 10:30 am.

·       Late players may enter the game when they arrive. If the game has started, they bat last in the lineup.

·       Lineups due 5 minutes before the game. All subs shall be clearly indicated on the lineup card given to the opposing manager. The card should list the rostered player and the player being substituting.

·       Protests must be made to the umpire at the time of the protested play or event causing the protest. No protest can be made after the end of the inning. The umpire will inform the opposing manager. Protest involving illegal players must be made before the game starts and it will be settled by the BOD before the game starts. Protest must be received in writing by the commissioners within 72 hours of the occurrence.

·       Players are not to yell: Out, Safe, Fair, Foul or Infield Fly at any time. If a players yells such phrases or similar ones in an effort to influence play the umpire may call verbal interference and award the batter or runners the bases in his opinion they would have attained had there been no verbal interference.

·       In the judgement of an umpire, an infielder playing a dedicated infield position intentionally drops a fair fly ball including a line drive, which could have been caught with ordinary effort while first or first base or first and second bases are occupied and there are less than two outs, the batter shall be declared out, the ball declared dead and the runners shall return to the previous bases.

·       The umpire shall determine whether a batted ball shall result in the application of the “infield fly rule”. The defensive player does not have to make a play or attempt to make a play on the ball as a condition to such determination by the umpire official.

·       A fielder covering 2^nd or 3^rd base has the right of being on the base if a play is imminent. Any physical contact or act by the runner that prevents the fielder from fielding the ball is interference. The runner committing the interference is ruled out and the other runners return to the last base they occupied at the time of the interference. If there was an effort by the fielder to make a throw to 2^nd or 1^st base for a force out the runners heading to 1^st or 2^nd is also out.

• The runner has a right to the base path. If there is physical contact between a fielder without being in possession of the ball, and a runner in the base path, the runner will be considered safe and may be awarded one additional base if the umpire feels he would have made it to the next base if there had been no obstruction.
• If an errant throw not caught by the fielder draws the fielder into the path of the runner and they collide there is no penalty.
• Umpires will call time when a batted ball is held in the infield and the umpire decides all play has ceased. Substitute runners may only be placed on the field after time has been called by the umpire.
• There will be a maximum of 5 runs per inning until the final inning which shall have no maximum. In the event of extra innings due to the fact that the score was tied after the end of regulation innings, all extra innings will have no maximum.
• In a regulation nine inning game if a team is 15 runs ahead after 7 innings, 20 after 6 or 25 after 5 the game is considered a mercy and is over. There is no mercy rule in a 5, 6 or 7 inning game. 

Section 8: Player Conduct: 

·       Only a manager or a player designated by the manager may argue decisions or rulings made by the umpires. If a game has two umpires, they can be asked to confer concerning rulings or close plays. The home plate umpire will make the final decision.

·       Player Ejections: Players may be ejected from a game by the umpires under the following circumstances:

Ø  Continuing to argue a ruling after a decision has been made final.

Ø  Continued verbal abuse of the umpires, other players or spectators.

Ø  Aggressively touching, threatening or fighting with an umpire or player.

Ø  Continuous profanity on the field will not be tolerated.  Umpire(s) will issue a warning to the player.  Any continuance of profanity by the player will then result in an ejection from the game.  The Board will review the situation to determine if a further suspension is warranted

·       Player Suspensions: The BOD may suspend players from league play (games, pickup games, batting practice) for any period of time at their discretion. These decisions cannot be appealed. Suspensions may be applied in the following circumstances:

Ø  Ejection from a game by an umpire

Ø  Threatening or fighting with any member anywhere within the park.

Ø  Refusing to leave the field after being ejected by the umpire.

Ø  Leaving the field during play without approval of their manager.

·       Players Leaving a game early:

Ø  Players may leave a game before it is completed only with the approval of their manager.

Ø  The manager of the player leaving early must make the opposing manager and the umpires aware of the player leaving early prior to the start of the game.

Ø  That players spot in the batting order will be skipped without penalty.  

Ø  Should the manager not advise the opposing manager and the umpires the players spot in the batting order will be an out each time it comes up.

·       Players Quitting:

Ø  Should any player decide to quit the team after being drafted or during the season they must obtain approval from the BOD with a valid reason.

Ø  Players quitting and not getting BOD approval may be subject to a penalty decided upon by the BOD including an indefinite suspension.    

   Section 9: Injuries:

·       If a player is injured and physically unable to continue during a game, that player’s manager must immediately notify the opposing manager and the umpire. If no replacement player is immediately available, the players spot in the batting order will be skipped without penalty.

·       The injured player may reenter the game only once.

·       If a player is injured while running the bases the opposing manager has the option to pick the substitute runner. This runner cannot be a player that has already run as a replacement runner in that inning.

·       If an injured player cannot return to the game, the game will be completed with the remaining players. 

Section 10. Replacement Players:

·       Managers are to contact the replacement Czar for replacement players as early as possible.

·       Managers must not contact individual players directly.

·       Managers may request a specific player.

·       Any player may be replaced by a substitute player from a bye team or the reserve players with the bye team players being given priority.

·       The substitute player must be equal or lower rated to the player being replaced. Example: replace the 4^th draft pick with a player also drafted in the 4^th round or a 5^th or 6^th etc.

·       A team (when no pitchers are available) may contact the BOD for a solution.

·       The manager with the worst record has the first choice of substitute players.

·       The manager must start any substitute request with the team’s highest missing draft round selection first. The highest being round #1 and lowest round #12.

·       All managers must receive their first pick prior to beginning the selection of any team’s   second pick.

·       If a manager is missing a player drafted in the last 2 rounds and an appropriate substitute is not available the manager may request a substitute from one round higher. A 10^th round for an 11^th round or an 11^th round for a 12^th round.

·       Managers are expected to secure a replacement player for all team members missing a game.

·       If no replacement player has been assigned due to the replacement Czar being unable to find a replacement or because of late notice of absence, the manager may try to find a replacement from spectators or umpires present at the game provide that the replacement player fits the eligibility requirements.

·       In the event that a team must play with 11 players the opposing manager MAY choose to split 2 players and use an 11 player batting order. The split players must each play a minimum of 4 full innings.

·       Alternative situations will be handled as follow:

Ø  12 vs 10 – The team with 12 will select and give a player to the team with 10, thus playing 11 vs 11

Ø  11 vs 11 – Play as is.

Ø  10 vs 10 – Each team will supply a catcher when they are the hitting team.

Ø  11 vs 10 – The team with 11 supplies a catcher when they are the hitting team. The manager with 11 players MAY split 2 players in the batting order with 2 players alternating at bats throughout the game, or he may use an 11 player lineup.

·       Replacement players for the playoffs have the following restrictions:

Ø  No reserve player shall be eligible for the playoffs unless the player has played a minimum of 2 games during the regular season.

Ø  Regular season players shall be eligible to be utilized only after their team has been eliminated from the playoffs.

Ø  Exception would be in a season where all teams shall be playing in the playoffs. Should this occur then for the first playoff game day only, replacements shall be selected from the reserve players first. Should an appropriate reserve player based on rating and position not be available then the replacement may be selected from a playoff team not yet eliminated.     

All other situations, see the BOD for a solution to be able to play that day. In the absence of sufficient players, the BOD may arrange a solution with available players, postpone a game or declare a forfeit at their discretion. 

Permanent Replacement Player (PRP) Rules

• A team may request a permanent replacement if a player declares himself/herself out for the rest of the season.
• If a player declares themselves out for the season and does return, the permanent replacement will stay with the team and the returning player will go onto the reserve list. 
• A team may request a permanent replacement up until the last regular game of the season. After the last regular season game is played, a PRP cannot be requested.
• Permanent replacements are handled in the order they are requested to the player Replacement Czar or the league commissioner. The oldest request will be completed before the next request is addressed.  If the first requesting manager does not want the player the second requestee wants, we can go ahead and honor the second request.
• A reserve player may turn down the opportunity that he be a PRP. If a replacement player turns down a manager’s request to be a PRP, he is not allowed to be a permanent replacement for another team. He will be returned to the reserve list.
• The permanent player requested must have the same rating or higher: this means a request to replace a “3” rated player must be someone rated 3 through 12.      

Section 11: Scores and makeup games: 

·    The winning manager will be responsible for reporting the final game score to the assigned webmaster in a timely manner.

• For a regulation 9 inning game to be declared official 5 complete innings must be played unless the home team is due up and is leading then they do not need to bat and the game is official.
• Any regular season game that is called mid game that is not officially complete shall be rescheduled to be played from the beginning.
• Any playoff game that is called at any point, all inning’s played will count and the game will resume from that spot once rescheduled.   
• A game that is tied and has proceeded past the required innings to make it official and is then called by the umpire, the two teams will have the option to complete the game from that point. Either on a rescheduled date OR the next time the two teams meet with agreement by both managers.
• Makeup games may be rescheduled by the BOD at the end of the season or on a Friday of a future week. 

Section 11: Field Conditions & Miscellaneous Information:

·       The assigned weather person will check fields at 7:00 AM and call assigned contact who will send out an e-mail indicating game status to all players.

·       Each player will be responsible to check on playing conditions. If you do not have e-mail, find someone on your team you can call who has e-mail to find out if game was postponed. OR CALL your manager.

• Games will be postponed for rain or if the temperature is projected to be 50 degrees or lower at 10:00 AM. If the temperature is 50 degrees or less but not expected to rise substantially by noon, the games will be postponed.

 

GY Senior Softball Summer Rules

SUMMER RULES TO BE REVIEWED AND UPDATED IN EARLY 2026

The rules for the summer mirror the winter rules with the following exceptions:

Section 1. Pitching, Batting and Batters:

Summer 2026 - The summer games will be 7 innings with a 1-1 count and one courtesy with 2 strikes, a hit off of the pitching screen or foul ball. Start time is 9 AM.                     

1. In the Summer 5, 6 & 7 inning games, the batter starts off with 1 balls and 1 strike. The batter will be given a courtesy if the third strike hits the screen but no courtesy on a third strike foul ball.  

Section 2. Run-for Player & Substitute Runners:

1. In the summer season a manager can have unlimited RF’s and 2 RFF on their lineup card before the game starts. A RF cannot become an RFF. The umpire will check the lineup card to make sure the RFF players are identified before the game starts.

2. During the summer season, a substitute runner coming to bat while on a base is not out and the runner takes his turn at bat. The runner is replaced by another substitute runner.  

Section 3: Player Requirements:

1. All subs shall be clearly indicated on the lineup card given to the opposing manager. The card should list the rostered player and the player being substituted.  

Section 4. Game Times, Umpires, Protest and Forfeits:

1. Games to start at 9:15 am in the summer season and all double headers will start at 9:00 am. 

Section 5: Scores and Makeup Games:

1. Summer makeup games may be played as 7 inning games on a Friday or 5 inning games on a regular game day.

2. There is no mercy rule in a 5, 6 or 7 inning game.

3. Summer season makeup games may be made up as 7 inning games on a Friday or a 5, 6 or 7 inning game on a regular game day. There is no mercy rule in a 5, 6 or 7 inning game.       

Section 6: Injuries:

1. If the injured player reduces the team roster to 10 players or less, the opposing team must supply a temporary fielder each inning. Players may re-enter once after sitting out due to an injury. 

Section 7: Replacement Players:

1. Follow Winter rules