SANFORD SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS


REGISTRATION:
a) Teams must register for each season within the time specified by the SRD and must pay League and any other specified fees, (i.e. ASA), in full at time of registration. Non-resident fees will be paid when the team submits a completed roster (9 players minimum). Completed rosters will contain participants’ Name, Signature, Address, Phone Number, and Date of Birth and must be submitted prior to the first game of the season. Sanford Recreation Department will not guarantee a position in a specific league for teams that do not complete the registration according to these procedures. (No Refunds once the Season Starts)

PLAYER ELIGIBLITY:
a) Each player must sign and complete the indemnification waiver form to be filed with the Sanford Recreation Department before participating. All players must be no less than 16 years of age to participate. All players must be designated as City-Resident or Non-City Resident. Non-City Residents must pay an additional fee determined by the Sanford Recreation Department. Proof of residency is required. Matters regarding the eligibility of a player will be decided by the League Supervisor. Any players that are under the age of 18 years of age must wear a batting helmet, while batting and running the bases. This is a new Central Florida ASA rule to all leagues who are participating in Central Florida ASA. Player(s) between the ages 16 to 18 must have a parent sign the player consent form.

ROSTERS:
a) Teams can call the Recreation Department or look on the “FREE AGENT LIST” to pick up players before the fifth (5th) week of the season.
b) Teams may have no more than 20 players on their roster at any time. There will be no alternate lists.
c) Teams with space available on their roster can add players to the roster up until the end of their fifth (5th) week played, not the fifth (5th) game of the season. No new players will be added to any team’s roster after the game has been completed on the fifth (5th) week of the season. The League Supervisor will verify all rosters turned in after the fifth (5th) week played.
THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS!
d) Any player included on a team roster must sign the roster no later than the end of the fifth (5th) week of the season in order to be eligible to play that season or league playoff. Players that have not signed by this deadline will be considered ineligible, even if their names were written in the roster from the beginning. Use of ineligible players will be cause for game forfeiture.
e) Roster changes will not be accepted over the phone. Roster changes must be done personally at the Pinehurst Park ball fields by the team’s manager.
f) All rosters shall include players Name, Signature, Physical Address (w/zip code), Home Phone Number and Date of Birth*
g) Team insurance is available for purchase through Central Florida ASA

PLAYER REGULATIONS:
a) Any adult, 16 or older, is eligible to play.
b) All players must be registered. A team that uses an illegal player (non-registered) will forfeit all games in which the player has participated. Positive ID may be required of every player at every game.

**NOTE** Failure to produce a valid photo ID which shows date of birth upon request by an umpire or league official will result in declaring the player(s) ineligible for that game and/or forfeit of the game where the player is participating.
c) No metal or steel spikes are allowed.
d) All exposed metal must be covered (i.e., knee braces).
e) Jewelry will not be worn over the team jersey during games.
f) Stud earrings, small hoops and wedding bands are permitted.
g) Smoking is not permitted in the dugouts or on the playing field.
h) Umpires shall have complete authority over the game.
i) Profanity will not be used on or around the field area. Use of profane language can and will be grounds for ejection, even after the game has been completed.

EJECTIONS:
a) Either UMPIRE or FIELD DIRECTOR may eject any player from the field for using abusive language, unsportsmanlike conduct or any serious violation of the rules. Umpire may forfeit the game, if an ejected player refuses to leave the field. In case of ejection, the umpire shall notify the manager or coach that the ejected player must leave the field within two (2) minutes and the facility within five (5) minutes or the game will be forfeited! The umpire will, before leaving the facility, submit to the league coordinator in writing the facts surrounding the ejection. This will be accomplished by filling out an Ejection form and turning it in to League office. Complaints/protests about a decision made during the games shall be made only by the manager. It is the manager’s responsibility to contact the league supervisor after a player is elected to find out what penalties, if any, have been levied against the player.
b) Any player ejected from a game may be put on probation with possible extended suspension, depending upon the severity of the incident

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT:
a) Players, coaches, managers or other team members will not make disparaging or insulting remarks to or about opposing players, officials or spectators, or commit other acts that could be considered unsportsmanlike conduct. Any unsportsmanlike conduct may be grounds for ejection, even after the game is completed.

GUIDELINES FOR PLAYER EJECTIONS:
a) The League Supervisor shall have the authority of imposing penalties on all player ejections. For any violation not included below, the penalty shall be at the discretion of the League Supervisor.

MAJOR OFFENSE:
a) Physically attacking an official and/or a player.
PENALTY: Minimum of two (2) years suspension and two (2) years probation.
b) Deliberate act that causes bodily harm to another player or property.

PENALTY: Minimum of one (1) year suspension and one (1) year probation.
c) Serious act such as inciting a riot, disrupting progress of the game, etc.
PENALTY: Minimum of one (1) year suspension and one (1) year probation.
d) Act of fraud (i.e., playing a player under an assumed name).
PENALTY: Minimum of one (1) year suspension and one (1) year probation.
e) Threatening an official and/or a player with physical harm.
PENALTY: Minimum of one (1) year suspension and one (1) year probation.

MINOR OFFENSE:
a) Failure of Manager, Coach, or Team Official to maintain team control and team responsibilities. PENALTY: Minimum of one (1) game suspension and one (1) year probation.
b) Any player guilty of using profane language, throwing equipment, or other unsportsmanlike conduct.
PENALTY: Minimum of one (1) game suspension and six (6) months probation.
c) Any player continuously arguing at the umpires call after being warned. PENALTY: Minimum of one (1) game suspension and six (6) months probation.

**NOTE** Any player that gets two (2) ejections during one season of play will be suspended for the remainder of the season and the next season. In addition, when the player returns he or she will be on probation for the period of one year, this includes any other events or leagues under the City of Sanford Recreation Department.
These are minimum penalties and, if deemed necessary, a greater penalty may be imposed. Players are automatically suspended from the date of ejection. If a player requests a hearing, it will be held before the player is eligible to compete. If while on probation for a rule infraction a player commits a new infraction of the rules, he will be placed on suspension for the highest period specified between the original infraction and the new infraction.

PROTESTS:
a) A written protest must be filed in the Sanford Recreation Department Office within 24 hours after the game is protested. Notice of intent to protest must be made to the umpire at the time the play occurs in order that the opposing manager may concede the point if he/she wishes. The umpire is instructed to change the decision if the opposing manager concedes the point and not permit the protest. If the protest is made, the umpire shall notify both managers and official scorer that the game is being played under protest and the official scorer will make a notation in the scorebook to that affect. The official scorer will also mark in the book the point where the game was protested so it can be resumed from that point if the protest is declared valid. A protest fee of $25.00 must be paid at the time the written protest is turned into Sanford Recreation Department. The fee will be returned if the protest is upheld and the game will start over from the play in question. If the protest is not upheld, the fee is non- refundable.

FIELD REGULATIONS:
a. Alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed at any City of Sanford Facilities. THIS INCLUDES THE PARKING LOT! If any player from your team is caught in violation of this rule the entire team will be suspended for the remainder of the season
b. Coaches and team representatives are responsible for the actions of their fans and players during games and practices.
c. All trash and equipment must be removed from team dugouts at the end of each game. The City of Sanford Recreation Department is not responsible for any items lost or stolen.
d. ABSOLUTELY NO throwing or hitting of balls, batting practice, or peppering against any backstop or fences at any City field.
e. Please no kicking, slamming, or banging against the roof or benches in the dugouts at any City field.
f. For their safety, children are not allowed in the dugouts or on the field during the game.
g. If you see any areas that you consider unsafe or in need of work, (bases, base holders exposed, mound or plate problems trash on the surrounding areas etc.), please let the Sanford Recreation Department personnel on duty know immediately.
h. Warm ups before games are to take place in the outfield only.
i. Fields may be reserved, by permit only, by contacting the Sanford Recreation Department and following proper procedures.
j. Please abide by all field rules and regulations.

RAIN OUTS, RESCHEDULING OF GAMES, AND TIES.
a) The Sanford Recreation Department staff will be the only authorized persons to cancel games due to inclement weather or any other reason.
b) No games will be cancelled before 4:00 pm. Only Team Managers will be called in the event of any rained out games. Field Director will call the remaining teams if the games are called at the field. The phone number to call for rain-out or after hour’s information is: 407 302-2585.
c) Rain out games may be made up at the first possible date available at the discretion of the League Supervisor. However in extreme circumstances (3 or more rainouts) games maybe rescheduled on alternate nights. Any rained out games will be made up on the next weeks date. Example: If your game was rained out the 1st week of the month, that game will be played, the next following week (i.e. 2nd week of the month).
d) If after 4 innings a game is canceled due to poor weather it will be considered a complete game.
e) In the event the regular season ends with two or more teams tied in the standings the tie(s) will be broken using the procedures below.

f) If the tie is between two teams, and both teams are tied for first place, the tie will be decided by matching head to head records during the regular season. If this result in a tie, the tie will be won by the team scoring the most runs in their head to head match-ups. If this also results in a tie, the team that won the latest game will be declared the winner of this tie. If the tie for first place is between 3 or more teams, the procedures on (3) below will be followed.

g) If the tie is between two teams only and both teams are tied for the last spot in the playoffs, whenever possible, the tie will be decided on the field by a single tiebreaker game which will then become part of the regular season. If time and/or field constraints (as determined by the League Supervisor) do not permit this single tiebreaker game, procedures on (3) below will be followed.
h) If it is not possible to play a tie-breaking game or the tie is between more than two teams, the following procedure will be used: The records of the teams involved will be compared head to head (or amongst each other if more than 2 teams) to determine the winner and, if this results in a tie, total runs scored in their head to head games will be used with the team scoring the highest number of runs being the winner of the tie. If this also results in a tie, total runs scored in the season will be used with the team scoring the highest number of runs being the winner of the tie. If this also results in a tie, the total number of runs allowed by the teams during the season will determine the winner of the tie with the team allowing the least amount of runs declared the tie-breaker winner.

PICK-UP RULE & FORFIETS:
a) Forfeit time is ten (10) minutes after scheduled game time for the first game and game time for subsequent games. The Field Director will have the official game clock and determine forfeit time. Should neither club be able to field a team, the game will be dropped from the schedule and will not be rescheduled.
b) If a team forfeits three (3) games during the season, the team will be dropped from the league.
c) In case a game is forfeited, the teams may scrimmage or practice before the next game However, league play will have precedence over field use. Subsequent games may start before scheduled game time if agreed to by both managers.
d) Practices and/or scrimmages must end no later than fifteen (15) minutes before the next scheduled game.
e) Umpires are not required to officiate, any practices or games.
f) There are no pick-ups games.

LINE-UPS:
a) Line-ups for all games must be turned in to the scorekeeper at least five (5) minutes before game time. Game times are as follows 6:30pm 7:30pm & 8:30 pm. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the non-complying team starting the game with one (1) out in the team’s first at-bat.
b) Line-ups turned in to the Official Scorer must contain the following information:
Player’s first initial and last name, uniform number, and starting fielding position. Line- ups not containing the required information will not be accepted.
c) Once the line-up has been given to the Official Scorekeeper it becomes the official lineup for the game and it cannot be changed. The exception to this rule for the men and women’s league is a team that only has nine to start may add the tenth (10th) player after the game has started to the bottom of the batting order without penalty.
d) TWELVE-PLAYERS:
1) Teams will be permitted to insert up to twelve (12) of their players into a continuous batting line-up, (12 for Mixed), if they wish. This is an optional rule. If you wish to do this, you must do it from the start of the game. Once the line-up has been given to the Official Scorekeeper it cannot be changed. The penalty for turning in a player’s name that is not present will be an out each time that player is to bat. If you start the game with eleven (11) or twelve (12) players in the line-up, (12 for Mixed), and you have to finish with less, the penalty will be an out each time that missing player is to bat.


UNIFORMS:
a) All teams must have matching shirts with numbers on them. The numbers are to be between 0 and 99, and are the numbers are to be at least six (6) inches high on the back of all uniform shirts. The number(s) must be permanently attached to the jersey. There will be no exceptions. No player on the same team may wear identical numbers (ex. 4 and 04 are identical numbers). Numbers over two digits are considered illegal. If duplicate numbers exist, only one of the players may play. By the third week of the season teams must have matching shirts with numbers. Players without numbers or matching shirts will not be permitted to play after the second week of the season even if this results in a forfeit. NO EXCEPTIONS!
b) Note that the rule says 3rd week, not 3rd game; even if your team has a bye on the first or second week of the season or there are rained out games, you are still bound by this rule and must have matching shirts by the third week of the season.
c) Matching shirts mean exactly that: matching! The shirts of all team members must be alike. Colors must be alike except for normal color fading due to washing. If color fading becomes so pronounced that the shirt becomes a different color altogether (i.e., Yellow as opposed to Gold or Royal Blue as opposed to Navy Blue) then the shirt must be replaced as now it became a different color and does not match the team color.
d) If the scorekeeper spots any illegal or duplicate number before the game begins or before any substitute enters the game, he/she will notify the umpire and the player will not be allowed to enter until he/she has changed to a legal number.
e) If the illegal or duplicate numbers are spotted during the game, the offended team must appeal it to the umpires. (The scorer may not intervene until the opposing team has appealed).
f) Jerseys must be worn the way the manufacturer intended them to be worn, jersey sleeves may be altered.
g) It is not mandatory to wear hats, but if worn, the hat must be worn with the bill facing forward.

GAME RULES AND REGULATIONS:
1) All games are scheduled for seven (7) innings unless stopped by the “Run Rule” or time limit. Time limit for all slow pitch leagues is one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes even if teams are tied. Please note that when a game is five minutes or less from the time limit (i.e. 1 hour, 10 minutes) a new inning will not be started. At the conclusion of the inning in progress the game will end unless there’s a tie. Then the tiebreaker rule plays into effect. EXCEPTION: Because of restrictions by City Ordinance that requires that all field lights at the Pinehurst park be turned off no later than 11:00 PM, all game activities will cease at 10:45 PM regardless of situation on night games. A game that is shortened due to this exception will become a legal game provided the home team has batted at least 3 full innings or is ahead in the bottom of the third inning when the game is halted.
2) It is the responsibility of the team’s manager to fill their team with sufficient substitutes and available players to insure their team against the necessity of having to finish a game with less than nine (9) players or forfeiting. If in the opinion of the League Supervisor, a team fails to maintain this standard, the team can be dropped from the league.
3) To keep from forfeiting a game, a team may use a minimum of nine (9) players in proper uniform. The tenth (10th) player, who must also be in proper uniform, may be added to the bottom of the lineup at any time without penalty.
4) When a team starts a game with ten (10), eleven (11) or twelve (12) certified players and must finish the game with one (1) less player, it will be an automatic out each time the missing player’s turn comes to bat.
5) The three (3) ball two (2) strike count will be used in all slow pitch leagues (batters start the at-bat with a count of 1 ball and 1 strike). The batter is allotted one extra foul ball on the last strike. (Two fouls on modified pitch)
6) There will be no warm up pitches between innings or infield warm-up after the first inning.
7) Balls -The balls are supplied by the league.
8) Only the following approved ball will be used: All leagues will use the ASA approved Twelve (12) inch men’s eleven (11) inch women’s, Red Stitched, MSP-44 (core of .44) 375 compression, restricted flight balls. Official Aluminum, Graphite or Composite softball bats only. This is in conjunction with ASA.
9) The Run Rule for all leagues is twenty (20) runs after two (2) innings, fifteen (15) runs after four (4) innings, or ten (10) runs after 5 innings. Both teams must have the same number of complete innings except that the home team can defeat the visiting team by going over the run limit in their half of the appropriate inning. In this case, the game is automatically over even though the home team has not yet completed their half of the inning.

SLIDING RULE:
a) Since the City of Sanford Recreation Department softball leagues are strictly recreational, a no-aggressive-slide rule is incorporated into the rules. As determined by the umpire, anyone aggressively sliding will be called out, whether there is contact or not. If any contact occurs while aggressively sliding, the sliding player will then be ejected from the game. This is necessary to insure the safety of all players. It is best that you give yourself up (or run away from the base to avoid the collision) and make an out rather than injure yourself or have someone else injured. The disqualified player is eligible to play in the next team’s game. However, if in the umpire’s judgment the contact that resulted in the player being knocked down was not incidental or accidental contact, the offending player will be ejected and be suspended for an additional game.

PITCHING:
a) Preliminary to pitching, the pitcher shall come to a full complete stop with both feet firmly on the ground, and with one or both feet in contact with the pitching rubber. The ball must be held in the pitching hand or both hands in front of the body. This position must be maintained at least one second but not more than 10 seconds before starting the delivery. The pitcher has twenty (20) seconds to pitch the ball and this tie starts when the previous pitch ends.
b) In the act of delivering the ball to the batter, the pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s rubber until the ball leaves the hand.
c) A legal delivery shall be a ball that is delivered to the batter underhand. The pitch shall be what is commonly known as a slow pitch.
d) The ball must be pitched with a minimum arc of 6 feet from the ground and must not reach a height of more than 12 feet at its highest point from the ground. Penalty: Illegal pitch. The batter has the option to swing at an illegal pitch.

BATTING:
a) The batter starts with a count of one ball and one strike.
b) Chopping and bunting are not allowed. The batter must take a full swing. Penalty: batter is called out and base runners must return to their original bases.
c) The batter has fifteen (15) seconds to enter the batters box. If the batter does not enter the box, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter.
d) Once the batter has two (2) strikes, he/she is declared out if he/she hits a foul ball. Runners may still tag up if a ball is caught in foul territory.
e) An Extra Hitter (EH) may be used. He/she is an eleventh hitter in the lineup. This person can not be added once the game has started. If an EH is used, the person cannot be terminated during the game. An EH may substitute in the field, however, they must maintain the same position in the batting order.
f) Any player(s) that are under the age of 16 years of age must wear a batting helmet, while batting and running the bases. This is a new ASA rule and must be enforced in all ASA Leagues

HOME RUN RULE:
The Home Run rule for each league will depend on what night the league is playing on. 
a) Monday night: each over the fence home run will be a push single (base runners will advance only one base). An inside the park home run does not apply to the HOME RUN RULE.
c) Wednesday night: No home runs. An inside the park home run does not apply to the HOME RUN RULE.

SPORTSMANSHIP:
a) At the umpire’s discretion, player may be called out or ejected from the game for swinging or throwing the bat in a dangerous manner. All runners must return to their original bases.
b) If at any time a team has two (2) players and/or coaches and/or spectators ejected from the game, the offending team will immediately forfeit the game.
c) The offensive team is responsible for retrieving all foul ball and homeruns.
d) Teams must leave the dugout and remove all trash and equipment immediately following their game.
e) During the game all equipment must remain in the dugout; gloves will not be permitted on the fence.

Mixed (Co-ed) RULES:
1) Must have a minimum of nine (9) players to start and finish a game. May have any combinations of genders but there can be no less than two (2) female players in the lineup. NO EXCEPTIONS! If playing with only one (1) female the first batter in the line up will be the second "ghost" female and will be an out each time at bat in the line up. Only nine (9) players on the field with one (1) female.

2) 12” softball will be used in league and tournament play.
3) Metal spikes are not allowed. 
4) Each team has the option of batting up to 12 batters.
5) If a team starts a game with 12 batters and must finish the game with less, the penalty will be an out each time the missing batter comes to bat.
6) If a male batter walks the next female batter has the option to take first base or hit.
7) Outfielders are not allowed inside the 200’ line of the field when females come to bat until the ball is hit.
8) Infielders are not allowed outside the infield dirt when females come to bat until the ball is hit.
9) An outfielder may not come in and cover a base. Infielders must make the play, male or female.
PLAYOFF FORMAT:
All leagues will consist of a Regular Season plus tournament. The Regular Season will be a minimum often (10) games and the top four (4) teams will make the playoffs which will consist of a single elimination tournament. These Playoffs will only take place only in the Spring and Fall seasons

TIEBREAKER RULE:
Once a game goes into extra innings (regardless of time left) or the time limit is up and the home team fails to break the tie, the visiting team will come to bat with the last player to hit in the previous inning placed on 2nd base. The batter has one pitch and one pitch only to hit, strike out or walk. No grace foul is permitted. Once the visiting team has been retired, the home team will bat given the same situation. The game will end when the tie is broken and the home team has either won by one (1) or more runs (in the case of a game-ending home run) or has been retired with the visiting team ahead.

AWARDS:
Will be given out at the end of the season, a sponsor trophy will be awarded to the league champion and individual awards will be giving to each player. A team trophy will be give to the team who finishes first in the playoffs.

APPEAL PLAY:
An appeal play is a play in which an umpire cannot make a decision until requested by a coach or player. The appeal must be made before the next legal or illegal pitch, before the defensive team has left the field. The defensive team has left the field when the pitcher and all the infielders and outfielders have left the fair territory.
a) There are three (3) types of appeals plays:
1. Missing a base
2. Leaving a base on a caught fly ball before the ball is first touched
3. Batting out of order
b) Once a dead ball has been called, any infielder (including the pitcher and catcher), with or without possession of the ball, may make a verbal appeal on a runner missing a base or leaving a base too soon. The plate umpire should make a decision on the play. Base runners cannot leave their bases during the appeal.

RULE CLARIFICATION:
a) A ball slips from the pitcher’s hand during the back swing, is dead and no pitch is declared. All subsequent action on that pitch is cancelled.
b) Any runner who is physically assisted by a coach or anyone except another base runner is to be declared out. The ball is dead and runners must return to the last base they touched.
c) A missed base must be appealed. An umpire cannot call a player out unless the offended team appeals.