Rules and Bylaws

 

 

 

I.                   Pitching

 

 

 

1.      The pitch shall be delivered underhand, with an arc 3 to 10 feet from the ground.

 

2.      All English on the ball is legal.

 

3.      There is no quick pitching.

 

4.      The pitching distance shall be 50 feet.

 

5.      There is no pitching from a stretch position.

 

6.      The pitcher cannot face the periphery of the outfield from first base to third base while delivering the pitch.

 

7.      The pitcher cannot pause more than one second in any part of wind up.

 

8.      The pitcher cannot use a windmill motion or bring his arms over his head while in the wind up.

 

9.      Warm up pitches:  Start of game ( 8 ).  Start of inning ( 3 ).  Incoming relievers ( 8 ).  Umpire may decide to restrict warm up pitches if rain or darkness threaten.

 

10.  There are no balks.

 

11.  An Intentional walk does not require 4 thrown balls.  The pitcher may ask the umpire to wave the batter to first base.

 

12.  The ball shall be considered dead and runners cannot advance when timeout is called by umpire.

 

13.  The strike zone shall be front knee to back shoulder, over the plate.

 

14.  There is a maximum of two conferences on the mound per inning.  A second trip from the bench to the pitchers mound shall result in the pitcher’s removal from the pitcher’s position.

 

15.  The pitch must be delivered at a slow speed.

 

16.  All illegal pitch rulings, whether so judged because of too high an arc, too fast, or for any other infraction, shall be at the discretion of the umpire.  Illegal fast pitch can be called after pitch.

 

17.  Illegal pitch penalties:  If batter takes pitch, automatic ball.  If batter swings at pitch, team on offense has option of accepting result, but all runners are only protected for 1 base if running on a ball hit fairly.  If the batter-runner is tagged out passed 1^st base or advances safely to 2^nd base, the play stands.  If team on offense rejects result on an illegal pitch which is swung at, pitch shall be called a ball.  A pitcher shall be warned on each pitch delivered too fast.  A third illegal fast pitch, following 2 warnings, shall result in the pitcher’s removal from the pitcher’s position for remainder of game (He may remain in game, however).  The offense can reject result if batter-runner is safe at first, without advancing to second.  Pitch is deemed a ball.

 

 

 

II.                Batting

 

 

 

1.      Only official ASA 2010 (?) softball bats may be used.

 

2.      Bunting is prohibited.

 

3.      A foul ball with two strikes will be considered a strike three.

 

4.      Catcher does not have to catch a third strike.  Runner may advance at their own risk when third strike is a caught foul ball.

 

5.      The batter shall be called out if he steps out of the batter’s box in order to strike a pitch.  This is considered a dead ball; runners must return to base they started the play.

 

6.      A batter shall be called out for a deliberate half swing or deliberate attempt to chop a ball straight down without taking a full swing.

 

 

 

III.             Base Running

 

 

 

1.      Stealing and leaving early are prohibited.

 

2.      Runners cannot leave a base until the ball reaches the plate.  If a runner leaves the base early, whether a pitched ball is swung at or not, the umpire shall declare him out, and the ball shall be dead.  No appeal is required.

 

3.      A runner cannot be put out once a movable base has moved.  A runner can be tagged out if they overtly and clearly leave the base plate or “chase” the base off the base plate.

 

4.      Coaches cannot physically assist runners.

 

5.      If a fair ball hits a runner while he is standing on a base, as long as they try to avoid getting hit, the runner is safe, the batter-runner is safe, and the ball is dead.

 

6.      Intentional contact, deemed by the umpire, whether on the base or not, the runner is out and the ball is dead.  The batter-runner is safe at first.  In either case, runners only advance if forced by batter-runner.

 

7.      If a fair ball hits a runner off base, the ball is dead, and the runner is out.  If a batted ball passes an infielder but there is another infielder who, under normal effort, can make a play on the batted ball and it strikes the runner, the runner is out and the ball is dead.  Exception:  the batted ball passes an infielder (not including the pitcher), who under normal effort, can make a play on the batted ball. (Example:  Runner on 1^st, 1^st baseman playing in front of base path, 2^nd baseman playing behind runner.  Batted ball passes 1^st basemen, to his right, and strikes runner in front of 2^nd baseman who, under normal effort, can make a play on the batted ball.)  In either case, the batter shall be awarded a single.

 

8.      Runners may tag up as soon as the ball hits the glove of a fielder.  Complete catch does not have to be made.

 

9.      On all overthrows, or batted balls, entering dead ball area, whether from the infield or outfield, runners shall be entitled to 2 bases from the base they possessed when the ball was released/hit.  All runners shall be credited with the base they are going to plus one.  In other words, two bases from the point of release.

 

10.  If a ball is carried out of play by a fielder, all runners advance one base.

 

11.  Appeals on illegal tag up or missed base.  Once play is in, appeal is given verbally.  Umpire must be notified of runner and base that is being appealed.  A throw to the base is not required.  Only one base on any play can be appealed.  Once the next pitch is thrown, no appeal is permitted on previous play.

 

 

 

IV.              Should be changed to Extra Hitter or E.H. amendment:

 

 

 

1.      2 D.H.’s shall be optional.  If a team does not start a game with an E.H., it cannot use one for that game.  If a team does start a game with an E.H., it must finish the game with one.

 

2.      The E.H. is used as an 11^th and 12^th hitter, not in lieu of another position player(s).

 

3.      The E.H.  may be positioned in any slot in the batting order.

 

4.      The E.H. may be substituted for in the following way:  If a E.H. is pinch hit or pinch run for.   He may be removed from the game, with the replacing player assuming the E.H. position or, the E.H. may switch positions with any other defensive player, with the defensive player leaving the game.  Or, the E.H. may trade positions with any other defensive player.  There is no limit to the number of times an E.H. may be substituted for.  In other words, the E.H. is treated like any other position player.  There is no injury provision.  If an E.H. is injured, he must be replaced in accordance with the above rule or he becomes an out in the order.

 

 

 

V.                 Roster Rules

 

 

 

1.      Official opening day rosters shall be due by noon of opening day.  To be announced by the league.

 

2.      The roster shall have a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 28 players at all times.

 

3.      A Team shall be entitled to 8 whole roster moves during the season.  Roster moves are defined as follows:  adding a player shall be considered a ½ move.  Subtracting, or dropping, a player shall be considered a ½ move.  All roster moves shall be considered effective immediately.

 

4.      If done at field, including during a game, you must indicate on lineup card and contact league office with change.

 

5.      All roster moves must be submitted to the league office.

 

 

 

6.      There shall be a 3 day jumping period at the end of the first half when players may switch teams (dates to be announced by league).  Players who jump during the jumping period do not cost the team they have left a ½ move.  However, the team acquiring a jumping player shall be charged with a ½ move.

 

7.      In order to be eligible for the playoffs, a player must have appeared in a minimum of 1/3 of his team’s regular season games.  A game appearance for playoff eligibility purposes must consist of participation in some capacity on the playing field, whether as a pinch hitter, pinch runner, defensive replacement (for a minimum of 1 plate appearance).  A pinch hitter or D.H. must get an official plate appearance to count as a game appeared.  Being listed in the staring line up but not getting an official plate appearance shall not be considered a game appearance for playoff eligibility purposes.  In a 24 game schedule, players that jump need 8 games total – They only carry a maximum of 4 appearances from 1^st team.

 

8.      If a team, for any reason, plays less than a full 24 game regular season schedule on the playing field, all players on said team’s roster shall receive automatic approval of game appearances for the unplayed games up to a maximum of 2 unplayed games, with said game appearances to count toward fulfilling the 8 game minimum.  However, even if a team has more than 2 games unplayed at the conclusion of the regular season, consideration of these unplayed games in excess of 2 shall not be given for playoff eligibility purposes.  In other words, 6 is the absolute minimum number of games a player must appear in to gain playoff eligibility.

 

9.      There is no disabled list.

 

 

 

VI.              General Bylaws

 

 

 

1.      Games shall be 9 innings long, with the following exception:  If a team is trailing by at least 15 runs after it has batted in the 7^th or 8^th inning, the game shall be considered over.  Or, if the home team has caused the visiting team to trail by 15 runs by scoring at least 1 run in the bottom of the 7^th or 8^th inning,. The game shall be considered over at this point.  If a 15 run deficit has not been reached by the 7^th inning, the game shall go a full 9 innings.  This rule shall be known as the 15 run rule

 

2.      The forfeit time shall be 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time of a game (See exception found under section on delayed starting times of games ).

 

3.      At least 9 players are required to constitute a legal team.  If a team has at least 9 players present at game time, it must start the game.  A 10^th man may be inserted, but must bat 10^th and play at least 1 inning in the field before batting (only 1 out of an inning shall be required). 

 

4.      An 11^th or 12^th man may not be added after start of game.

 

5.      If a team slips from a 10 player line up to 9, or from an 11 player line up to 10, an out shall be recorded each and every time the absent player’s position comes up in the batting order.  The opposing team shall be so informed if this occurs.

 

6.      Lineup cards are to be turned into the umpire 3 minutes prior to game time.  This shall be considered the official staring line up.  No team can include players in it’s line up if said players are not present at the field.

 

 

 

7.      All lineup changes must be given to umpire.  The umpire will make a reasonable attempt to inform the opposing team of any line up changes.  However, teams are urged to maintain their own scorebooks and line ups of their opponents, as the umpire shall not be responsible for spotting any line up infractions, such as batting out of order.

 

8.      The home team shall pick up and return the scoreboard and box of numbers to shed.

 

9.      There shall be 2 softballs allotted for all games.  The official league ball shall be considered the DeBeer 12” Clincher Gold ball.  A new ball will be introduced into the game after the first half inning of play so each team will get a new ball in the first inning.  If available, a backup ball maybe used in the top of the first inning prior to using the second new ball.  Therefore, an offensive team that bats the first ball out of play, is not “rewarded” with use of both new balls.  If the new ball goes out of play because of the defense, the second new ball will be inserted.  Umpire’s discretion.

 

10.  There shall be no re-entry for any player removed from the game.

 

11.  No beer or other alcoholic beverages are permitted in fair territory or in the coaches’ boxes, nor are lit cigarettes permitted on the field once play has started.

 

12.  A team may, in lieu of shared pre-game batting practice with the opposing club, request 10 minutes of free field time prior to a game.  However, such a request must be received by the league at least a half hour before game time, to insure a fair allotment of pre-game time to both clubs.

 

13.  Teams must not bring beverages in glass bottles to field, but are free to bring beverages in cans or plastic.

 

14.  1 courtesy runner is permitted for each team.  Player receiving runner must be designated prior to game and indicated on the lineup card.  A courtesy runner may be added during the game for a player injured in the game.  If a team is already using a courtesy runner, the team must choose to either substitute for the injured player, or the player using the courtesy runner, or they may switch the courtesy runner to the newly injured player with the previous benefactor now running for himself.  No team may designate more than 1 courtesy runner at any point during any game and cannot flip-flop who gets a runner to, in effect, have two courtesy runners.

 

 

 

VII.       Team Conduct and System of Fines

 

 

 

1.      A team shall be expelled from the league if it forfeits 3 games during the season (see related rules in section on conditions and terms of franchise ownership and transferral of ownership).  If a team does not notify the league office at least 1 hour prior to game time, the league reserves the right to levy a fine.  First forfeit shall result in a fine of $50.00.  A second forfeit without prior notification, the league reserves the right to levy a fine of $100.00.  Fines must be paid prior to the next game played by the forfeiting club.

 

2.      All players and coaches are asked to wear team uniform shirts. 

 

3.      All teams shall be responsible for cleaning up their bench area at the conclusion of all games. Fines may be assessed by the rules committee.

 

4.      Evidence of a team deliberately sending players away from the playing field to stall for time shall be considered a breach of good sportsmanship, subject to review by the league if such actions are frequently repeated.

 

5.      All teams are subject to review by the league for repeated and flagrant violations of the above rules.  Such reviews could result in further disciplinary action or expulsion from the league.  The league will try to be flexible for any violations that occur due to unforeseen circumstances (uniform orders arriving late, personal reasons for missed meetings, etc.).

 

 

 

VIII Suspended Games and Rainouts

 

 

 

1.      All RPSA games, whether regular season or playoff, when suspended for any reason, shall be played to completion at a later date.  (EXCEPTION:  If a game has become official, having gone at least 4 ½ or 5 innings, depending on which team has the lead, and said game has no bearing on playoff positions in the standings, the team that is trailing in the game may elect not to complete the game, thus accepting the loss.  If such a game has been suspended before becoming official, the teams involved shall either agree to complete such a suspended game to make the result official, or, if circumstances warrant, not make up said game.  In this event, neither the result of the shortened game nor the records would count.) 

 

2.      A game shall be considered suspended if, at any point in the game, the umpire(s) has determined that inclement or threatening weather and or darkness has made conditions unplayable.  Such a game shall be resumed and completed on a date set by the league.  Competing teams have 7 days to schedule completion game.  The game shall be picked up from the point of suspension.  Teams shall be responsible for maintaining legal line-ups during the completion of a suspended game.  All players who have been removed from a suspended game are ineligible to return to the game during it’s completion in accordance with the league ban on re-entry.  However, all players who have been added to the roster are eligible to participate in the completion of a suspended game, even if said players were not on the active roster on the date that he game was originally suspended.  If the suspended game is a playoff game, only those players on the eligible list for post-season play may participate in the completion of said game.

 

3.      Rainouts and or suspended games shall be made up on Saturdays and on any other days so designated by the league.  The league may strictly enforce said dates.

 

4.      Incases of inclement or threatening weather, the league is solely responsible for making a final determination on whether or not a game is to begin.  Such a determination shall only be made after consulting with both teams and the umpire if possible.  Once a game has started, it shall be in the hands of the umpire(s) regarding any stoppage of play.

 

 

 

IX  Grounds for Player Ejection

 

 

 

1.      Deliberate bat throwing.

 

2.      Excessive mouthing off or profanity directed at a player or umpire.

 

3.      Fighting.

 

4.      Wearing metal spikes.

 

5.      Conduct which makes a farce of the game.

 

6.      Endangering anyone by throwing equipment or other objects.

 

7.      Deliberately faking a tag.

 

8.      Deliberately barreling into a catcher or other player.  Runner must effort to avoid contact if defender has possession of the ball.

 

9.      The umpire shall have authority and discretion over all player ejections.

 

10.  Any player ejected for a game for any reason shall be suspended from the next game played by his team.  Whether a regularly scheduled game, a playoff game, or a make-up game, the umpire may submit a written report to the league regarding the gross misconduct of a player.  Upon review, the league may take further disciplinary action.

 

 

 

X  Protests and Appeals

 

 

 

1.      In order to protest a game, an umpire must be notified in accordance with ASA rules.  The team owner must then submit, within 48 hours, a written statement to the league, along with a $10.00 fee.  The fee shall be refunded if the protest is upheld.  The statement should indicate the reason for the protest, naming the umpire and decision involved.  The protest shall be heard, as promptly as possible, by a 3 man committee chosen by the league for the protest ruling.  This committee shall come from a protest pool, consisting of 9 individuals, 1 from each team, whose name has been filed with the league prior to the start of the season.  The umpire involved may be asked to attend such a hearing or submit a written report of the decision or ruling in question.  All rulings issued by the protest committee shall be final.

 

2.      A team shall be granted an automatic hearing for any player who the league is considering suspending for any length of time in excess of the mandatory 1 game suspension given to players who have been ejected from a prior game (See section IX, Rule 10).  The hearing shall be held to inform the team of any possible disciplinary action taken against a player, and to allow both the team and the player involved to present their side of the story.  An umpire familiar with the case may also be asked to attend or submit a written statement regarding the misconduct of such a player (See section IX, Rule 10).

 

 

 XI  Delayed Starting Times of Games

 

 

 

1.      The scheduled starting time of a game may, for good cause, may be pushed back by the league.  Reasons for delaying the start of a scheduled game include, but are not limited to:  Inclement weather requiring a delay to perform field maintenance, unavailability of the field due to a prior game running late, or a game at an adjacent diamond running late.  The late arrival of an assigned umpire, or the granting of practice time to the scheduled clubs following a prior game that has run late.

 

2.      If the league, for any reason, pushes back a scheduled starting time, both teams shall be immediately notified of the new starting time.

 

3.      If the league pushes the staring time of a game back 15 minutes or less, the original forfeit time shall be binding.  If the league pushes the staring time of a game from 16 minutes up to and including 1 full hour, the new forfeit time shall be 5 minutes after the new scheduled starting time.  If the league pushes the starting time back more than 1 hour, both teams shall be entitled to a new forfeit time, to be 15 minutes after the new starting time.

 

 

 

XII  Determining a League Champion

 

 

 

1.      The RPSA shall, until such time as expansion is approved, or conditions warrant, operate as a 9 team entity.

 

2.      The 9 competing franchises shall comprise 1 division. 

 

3.      Each team shall play a 24 game regular season, meeting each of its 8 opponents 3 times.  With 10 franchises, each team shall play the 4 teams 3 times and the other 5 teams 2 times for a total of 22 games.

 

4.      Each team shall be guaranteed at least 1 home game against each of its opponents, and shall play 12 home games and 12 away games. With 10 teams, 11 home games and 11 away games.

 

5.      At the conclusion of the regular season, playoffs will take place to determine a league champion.

 

6.      Teams that finish in the top 6 spots in the standing shall automatically advance to the playoffs.

 

7.      Teams that finish in the 7, 8, and 9 or 10 spots in the standing shall not be eligible for the playoffs.

 

8.      The 2 teams that finish the season in the top 2 spots in the standings shall be awarded 1^st round playoff byes, and automatically advance into the semi-final round. If two divisions are employed, the 2 division winners will be the top 2 seeds with.  If necessary, standard 2-way tie-breaking league policy for top seed.

 

9.      The teams that finish in the 3^rd through 6^th spots in the standing shall participate in a best 2 out of 3 quarter-final round, with the 3^rd place team playing the 6^th place team, and the 4^th place team playing the 5^th place team.

 

10.  Each winning club from the quarter-final round shall advance to the semi-final round, which shall be a best 3 out of 5 series.  In the semis, the 1^st place team shall meet the low qualifier out of the quarter-final round.  While the 2^nd place club shall meet the high qualifier coming out of the quarter-finals.

 

11.  The 2 teams that win their semi-final series shall advance to the league championship series, or finals, which shall be a best 3 out of 5 games.

 

12.  Home team:  In all 3 game playoffs, the team that finished higher in the standings shall be home team in games 1 and 3.  In all 5 game series, the team that finished higher in the standings shall be tome team in games 1, 3, and 5.

 

13.  Standings tie-breakers:  2-way ties:  If a tie occurs between 2 teams for the 1 through5 spots in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season, the team that won the regular season series between the tied clubs shall be placed in the higher position in the standings.  If a 2-way tie occurs between 2 teams for the 6^th and final playoff spot, a sudden-death playoff qualifying game shall take place, with the winner being placed 6^th and the loser 7^th.  The home team in a playoff qualifying game shall be the team that won the regular season series between the 2 clubs.

 

 

14.  Standings tie-breakers:  3-way ties:  If a tie occurs among 3 teams for either 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, or 4^th place, in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season, the first tie-breaker shall be games in common.  If 1 team has the best record in the 6 common games, it shall be placed in the highest position in the standings, with the other 2 teams reverting to the 2-way tie-breaker rule.  The second tie-breaker shall be best record of all games played against the 3 highest teams in the standings outside of the tied clubs (Thus, in a 3-way tie for 1^st, all games played against the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th clubs would be considered, in a 3-way tie for 2^nd,All games against the 1^st, 5^th, and 6^th clubs would be considered, etc.).  NOTE:  In any 3-way tie-breaker for the 1^st through 4^th spots in the standings.  If 2 teams tie for the best record, the team with the worst record shall be placed in the lowest position in the standings, with the other 2 teams reverting to the 2-way tie-breaker rule.

 

3-way tie for 5^th place:  If a 3-way tie for 5^th place occurs, all tie-breaking procedures above shall be considered in order.  If 1 team comes out ahead in the tie-breaking procedures, then the other 2 clubs shall be considered as tied for 6^th with a sudden death playoff qualifying game to follow.  However, if 2 teams tie for beast record in any tie breaking procedure considered in order, the team with the worst record shall drop to 7^th and the other 2 clubs shall determine 5^th and 6^th spots through the 2-way tie-breaker rule (head-to-head).

 

3-way tie for 6^th place:  If a 3-way tie for 6^th place occurs, all tie-breaking procedures above shall be considered in order.  If 1 team comes out ahead in any tie-breaker, it shall be awarded 6^th, while the other 2 clubs revert to the 2-way tie-breaker to determine 7^th and 8^th place.  However, if 2 teams tie for the best record in any tie-breaking procedure considered in order, the team with the worst record shall drop to 8^th place.  The 2 clubs remaining tied for 6^th would then play a sudden death playoff qualifier in accordance with league rules.

 

15.  In all 3-way ties, if the same number of games have not been played by the teams concerned when considering any tie-breaker, then winning percentage shall be used.

 

 

 

XIII  Conditions and Terms of Franchise Ownership and Transfer

 

 

 

1.      At the start of each season, each franchise shall, within 2 weeks following opening day, provide to the league 3 names to be placed on file.  These names shall constitute current, and potentially future ownership of said franchise.

 

2.      Name No. 1:  Principle owner:  The individual herein named, whether an active or inactive roster player, shall be considered the owner of the franchise.  This individual shall carry out all ownership responsibilities to the satisfaction of the league.  These responsibilities and obligations shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:

 

a.       Meeting all financial obligations, including entrance fee, misconduct or forfeit fines, etc.

 

b.      Meeting all scheduling obligations, including the filing of any conflict dates the league may allow, adherence to league policy on make-up games, fielding a legal team when scheduled for play, etc.

 

c.       Adherence to any and all other rules of the league, including having team representation at all league meetings, the wearing of team uniforms, participation in the spirit of good sportsmanship, avoidance of unruly team conduct, etc.

 

d.      Accepting any prizes and or monetary purses the league any award at the end of the season for team performance.

 

e.       The making a good faith decision by February 15^th of the following calendar year on whether they will retain franchise ownership for the coming season.

 

 

f.        Contributing to the general good of the league through cooperation on field maintenance, All-Star game, etc.

 

g.       Non-participation on the active roster of any league franchise other than the one owned by the individual.

 

h.      Non-participation in a managing, coaching, or advisory capacity of any league franchise other than the one owned by the individual.

 

i.        Complete and exclusive authority over team rosters, including the submitting of opening day rosters and the filing of any or all subsequent legal transactions made by the team.

 

j.        The filing of any or all protests and appeals (see section X).

 

k.      Complete and exclusive authority over all on the field playing decisions, including all starting line ups, player substitutions, etc.  Whether said decisions are made personally or by an individual named or chosen by the team owner (see rule 10 below).

 

3.      Name No. 2:  rights of first refusal of franchise ownership:  The individual herein named shall be entitled to assume franchise ownership in accordance with the following conditions:

 

a.       If the principal owner notifies the league that he or she is relinquishing ownership of their franchise, the individual herein named shall have the option of assuming the position of principal owner.  The individual named shall have 2 full weeks or until March 1^st of the calendar year, whichever time period is greater, to exercise rights of first refusal (Exception, see rule 8 below).  If the league has not been notified of any decision of the individual within 2 weeks or by March 1^st, the league shall conclude that the individual has declined to assume ownership of said franchise.

 

b.      The individual herein named shall be made fully aware that his or her name has been placed on file with the league and shall have given consent to have his or her name placed on file with the league.

 

c.       The individual herein named may be a non-roster player, and is not bound to any team’s active roster, and can be an active roster player fro any other league franchise.

 

4.      Name No. 3:  Rights of Second Refusal of Franchise Ownership:  The individual herein named shall have the right to assume franchise ownership in accordance with the following conditions:

 

a.       The principal owner has notified the league that he or she is relinquishing ownership of said franchise and the individual with rights of first refusal (Name no. 2) has notified the league that he or she is not interested in assuming ownership of said franchise.

 

b.      The individual with rights of second refusal shall have 2 full weeks or until March 15^th, whichever time period is greater, to decide whether to assume ownership.  (Exception, see rule 8 below).

 

c.       The Individual herein named shall be made fully aware that his or her name has been placed on file with the league and shall have given consent to have his or her name placed on file with the league.

 

d.      The individual herein named may be a non-roster player, and is not bound to any team’s active roster, and can be an active roster player for any other league franchise.

 

5.      If neither individual with refusal rights accepts ownership of a franchise which has been dropped by it’s previous owner, the league will a drawing, open to all players on the franchise’s roster the previous season that appeared in at least half the club’s games, and who wish entry into such a drawing.  This drawing must take place by April 1^st (Exception , see rule 8 below).

 

6.      Any individual who becomes the new owner of a franchise is free to submit whatever names he or she wishes to the league for ownership refusal rights, whether they were named previously or not.  The old order of names for rights of refusal no longer apply, although the new owner may choose to submit the same names if he so desires and if the individuals concerned give their consent.

 

 

7.      An individual may occupy a position for rights of refusal for franchise ownership for an unlimited number of teams.  If it is so agreed to by the individuals and franchises concerned.

 

8.      Ownership dissolved during the season:  If a principal owner decides to relinquish ownership of a team following the opening day of a league season, but prior to the conclusion of a league season, or if a principal owner’s franchise is expelled from the league, the individuals with rights of refusal will be entitled to assume ownership of said franchise in accordance with league rules, but such an individual must immediately remove himself from the active roster of any other club, if he or she occupies such a spot (This would not cause the team losing such an individual to be charged with half a move.  However, adding a player to replace this individual will cost the team half a move.  If the player’s departure takes place following the roster freeze date, the team that has lost this player cannot replace him on the rosier).  Any individuals with rights of refusal will only have 3 days to decide if they want to assume ownership of a team during the season.  A franchise acquiring new ownership during a season must operate under the roster rules and conditions of the current franchise roster for the remainder of the season.   However, a new owner may make any changes he or she desires during the off-season.  If neither individual with ownership refusal rights wishes to accept ownership of a franchise dissolved in mid-season, the league will hold a drawing of any individuals on the franchise’s active roster who have appeared in at least half the franchise’s games to date and who wish entry into such a drawing (See also rule 11 below).

 

9.      All new franchise owners must meet with league approval, although any individual named with refusal rights need not have been pre-approved.  If a majority (5 of the 8 remaining teams) votes against an individual, that person will be rejected by the league.  Prior to voting, any team objecting to an individual assuming franchise ownership must make the reason for it’s objection known to the other clubs, debate may then follow on the individual concerned.  If rejected, the next name will be considered, or drawing conducted, as per the rules.

 

10.  Field manager:  the team owner is responsible for submitting all starting line ups to the official scorer, making all substitution, etc., whether through himself personally or through another party (See rule 2 k above).  The team owner may designate any other individual to manage on the day of a game, whether the team owner is present at a given game or not.  The league and official scorer must be notified prior to a game who the field manager shall be for that game, (Especially if an owner is assigning a different individual to assume managing duties).  Only 1 individual shall have authority to make personnel changes during a game, although anyone from the team may notify the official scorer of such changes.  A team’s field manager, if an individual other than the team’s owner, must either be on the active roster of the club he is managing, or else not affiliated in any capacity (owner, player, manager, coach, or advisor) with any other league franchise, except to have rights of refusal for other franchises should an ownership opening develop.

 

11.  Additional rules governing ownership dissolution during the season:

 

a.       New owners assuming franchise ownership during a season shall have 2 weeks to submit names of individuals with rights of refusal, said list to be in effect until the next time names are due to be filed with the league.

 

b.      It may be necessary for the league to step in and assign an interim field manager to a franchise which has been dropped by it’s principal owner.  Such a situation could develop if said franchise has a game coming up on the schedule too soon for an orderly transfer of ownership to occur.

 

c.       Any owner who notifies the league that he or she is dropping their franchise once the season starts  but before it has ended, will be banned from all future ownership of a RPSA franchise.

 

d.      An owner whose franchise has been expelled from the league during the season for any reason, (forfeits, misconduct, etc.) will not be eligible for ownership refusal rights of a RPSA

franchise for at least 1 full season following the season his or her team was expelled.  (Example:  Team expelled during 1991 season, cannot be on refusal rights list until start of 1993)

 

e.       An individual can be an owner an unlimited number of times, providing he or she meets with the above conditions (Relinquishing ownership during the off-season will not affect an individual’s right to be listed on any future refusal rights list of any other franchise)

 

12.  Sponsors:  The league shall have no business dealings with any individual or business concern which sponsors a league team, beyond providing receipts for monies received.  The league shall bring no pressure to bear on any sponsor for the purpose of collecting fees, addressing team or league matters, etc.  The sponsor shall have no authority whatsoever within the league regarding team or league matters.  The principal franchise owner being the only person recognized by the league as having such authority.  The league shall strive to maintain a cordial relationship with all team sponsors, and shall not interfere in any relationship between a franchise owner and any sponsor.

 

13.  Compensation or other financial aspects of ownership:  The league shall require no special financial compensation of any amount from any current or new team owner, beyond the meeting of entrance fees set by the league, and will assess no other charges to maintain franchise ownership.  The league shall have no interest in, and will neither ban nor encourage the transfer of funds in order to affect ownership considerations between 2 or more individuals.

 

 

 

XIV  1992 Second Foul Strikeout Amendment

 

 

 

1.      If a batter, after having reached 2 strikes in the count, then proceeds to foul off 2 pitches, the 2^nd such foul shall result in a strikeout for the batter.  Changed at some point to “If a batter, after having reached 2 strikes in the count, then proceeds to foul off 1 pitch, the result is a strikeout for the batter

 

 

 

XV  Ground Rules

 

1. Outfield fence (perimeter fence, closest to street), including fence around handball court:

 

a.       Batted batter that clears the fence on a fly between the leftfield foul pole to the nearest telephone pole in left-center field is considered a ground-rule double.  All runners advance exactly 2 bases.

 

b.      Batted ball that clears the fence on a fly to the right of said telephone pole is considered a home run.

 

c.       A batted ball that travels through or under the fence, from the leftfield foul pole to the nearest telephone pole in left-center field is considered a ground-rule double.  All runners advance exactly 2 bases.

 

d.      A batted ball that travels through or under the fence to the right of said telephone pole is considered a ground-rule triple.  All runners advance exactly 3 bases.

 

e.       A batted ball that travels through dugout fences on baseball field is considered a live ball.  Runners may advance at their own risk.

 

3.      Out of play: 

 

a.       Over or through dugout/sideline fence.

 

b.      End of 1st base dugout fence to nearest telephone pole near street.

 

c.       End of 3rd base dugout fence through tree, on field side of path to fence along path, out to foul pole.

 

d.      Over or through fence along path, 3rd base side, or over or through fence along Cedar Street.

 

e.       Over or through backstop fence around home plate.

 

f.        Any ball, batted or thrown, out of play, all runners, including batter-runner will be awarded 2 bases from the point of release.  (Exception:  See rule XV 1 d).

 

4.      Bases:  Base plate is considered the base if the “bag” pops off its mooring.  Any runner tagged while off the base plate will be considered out.

 

 

 

XVI  Double first base

 

 

 

1.      A batted ball hitting or bounding over the white portion is fair.

 

2.      A batted ball hitting or bounding over the contrasting color portion is foul.

 

3.      When a play is being made on the batter-runner, the defense must use the white portion and the batter-runner the contrasting color portion of the base.

 

Effect:  The batter-runner is out when there is a play being made at first base and the batter-runner touches only the white portion, providing the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to first base.  Once the runner returns to the white or contrasting color portion of the base, an appeal shall not be honored.

 

4.      On any force out attempt from the foul side of first base the defense and the batter-runner may use either the white or contrasting color portion of the base.

 

5.      On an errant throw pulling the defense off the white portion of the base into foul ground, the defense and the batter-runner can use either the white or contrasting color portion.

 

6.      Once the batter-runner reaches first base, they may start on either the white or contrasting color portion of the entire base.

 

7.      On balls hit to the outfield with no play on the batter-runner advancing to first base, the batter-runner may touch the white or contrasting color portion.  Should the batter-runner return, the runner and defense can use the white or contrasting color portion.

 

8.      When tagging up on a fly ball, the white or contrasting color portion of the base may be used.  On an appeal for the runner leaving the base too soon, the defense may use the white or contrasting color of the base.

 

9.      On plays at first base when the batter-runner touches only the white portion and collides with fielder about to catch a thrown ball while on the white portion of the base:

 

Effect:

 

a.       The ball is dead.

 

b.      The batter-runner is out.

 

c.       Runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.

 

 

 

Revised 3/14/93

 

             4/12/95

 

            2011 Courtesy Runner

            2/21/17 Rules updated.  Ground Rules defined.  Double First base ap