2018 ORADELL MENS SOFTBALL LEAGUE

I. ELIGIBILITY FOR SOFTBALL TEAMS

A. Rosters may have up to 25 players.

B. Only players on your official roster may participate. The Commissioner will have final rosters in the event of challenge. Any team using ineligible players will forfeit the game if challenged by opponent.

C. Rosters League Fees must be submitted to the Commissioner by July 1st. Rosters must include Name, Town & State, and Uniform Number (PLEASE FILL OUT ON EXCEL AND EMAIL BACK TO JOHN MAGS)

1. League fee for 2018 Season is $800 per team.

2. Rosters and payment are June 1. Final rosters due July 1.

D. Playoff Eligibility- All players must participate in five (5) games during the regular season to play in the playoffs. Any exceptions (i.e. Injury, etc.) must be addressed by a vote of all team managers.

E. All teams are to keep a score book. Last names are to be used in case a question arises regarding playoff eligibility. The league will supply score books.

F. All players must have matching jerseys with unique numbers that are permanently affixed.

G. The league is going to a 14 game regular season. All teams play each other at least 2 times.

H. All teams will make the playoffs.

#1 Seed = Bye First Round

#2 Seed = Bye First Round

Single game elimination (Single game elimination, 9 innings)

#5 vs. #8

#6 vs. #7

Second Round (Best of 3)

#3 vs. Winner of 6/7

#4 vs. Winner of 5/8

Semi Final Round (Best of 3)

#1 vs. Winner of 4/5/8

#2 vs. Winner of 3/6/7

Championship Finals (Best of 5)

Winners of Semi Final Round - TBD vs. TBD

I. Tie Breakers

1. Tie breaker in the regular season is first head to head record. If split then to be determined by

2. Head-To-Head Run Differential A combination of the Head-To-Head analysis and Total Run Differential, this criterion uses the total run differential, appropriately limited by the Max Differential parameter, which is the maximum number on the run differential that can be earned in any single game. For example, if the Max Differential is set to 12, the winning team gains no advantage by running the lead up to more than 12 runs. For games played between the tied teams. This criterion is most useful when two teams are tied, they have played each other twice, and each team has won once. This tie breaker rewards the team that has won by the larger margin.

3. In case of a 3way tie use Overall Run Differential Essentially the total number of runs scored by this team in all games, minus the total number of runs scored by the team's opponent in all games. Some league administrators are hesitant to use Run Differential as a tie breaker because it could encourage dominant teams to run up the score on weaker opponents. To counter this tendency, the administrator can specify a Max Differential, which is the maximum number on the run differential that can be earned in any single game. For example, if the Max Differential is set to 12, the winning team gains no advantage by running the lead up to more than 12 runs. If the Max Differential value is set to zero, there are no limits and the run differential in a game will be tallied no matter how large it is. The higher the number the better. 4. Runs Against 5. Runs For 6. Head to Head Record vs. #1 Seed, #2 Seed, etc.

II. ORADELL SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES

A. Games will be seven innings in length.

B. Modified pitching rules are in effect with the following applicable:

1. The pitcher must release the ball on the first forward swing of the pitching arm past the hip.

2. The wrist cannot be outside of his elbow at the top of the back swing.

3. He may take the ball on his backswing no higher than the 9:00 o'clock position.

4. He may not use a windmill or sling-shot type pitch nor may he make a complete revolution in his delivery. NOTE: A "slingshot" type pitch is defined as turning the body toward second base and home and bending the elbow during the back swing.

5. The wrist can never be outside the elbow on the forward swing. The hand must start directly on top of the softball during back swing.

6. He may not have a stop or reversal of the forward motion of his pitching arm.

7. He may not continue to wind up after releasing the ball nor may he make any motion to pitch without immediately delivering the ball to the batter.

8. He must have a smooth follow-through of the pitching arm

9. He may drop his arm to the side and to the rear before starting his backward swing.

10. The fact that the pitcher’s palm is facing down is no violation.

11. Touching the hip on the forward swing is illegal and can be called an illegal pitch.

12. THREE illegal pitches and you must play another position or be substituted for.

C. Illegal Pitches

1. If not hit, ball is dead and pitch is declared a "Ball".

2. If hit, and batter/runner and all other base runners advance one base safely, violation is ignored.

3. If hit, and batter/runner, or any base runner DOES NOT advance one base safely, offensive team has the option: All runners return, batter continues to bat with another ball added to count OR accept play as it resulted.

D. No metal spikes permitted. (Molded or screw in cleats are allowed.)

1. Penalty: (a) If player is detected wearing metal spikes on defense, he shall be ejected from game. (b) If player is detected wearing metal spikes on offense, he shall be ejected, and an "out" shall be charged to the offensive team. Player ejected must then be substituted for.

E. Base runners must slide or try to avoid a fielder who has the ball or will have the ball at about the same time the runner arrives at plate/base. No collisions.

1. Penalty: (a) Ball becomes dead and the runner is out. All other runners return to the last base touched. If flagrant collision, player will be ejected from game. (b) NOTE: If an inadvertent collision takes place at a spot where the runner could not reach the plate/base by sliding there is no penalty.

F. No fake tags.

1. Penalty (a) Obstruction runner is awarded the base where the fake tag occurred, plus the next base.

G. Two legal bunts a game per team. No slashing.

1. Penalty: (a) If slashing is attempted, batter is out. NOTE: Any bunt attempt which results in an out, except a strikeout, counts as one of the two bunts.

H. No stealing.

I. No advancement to first base on dropped third strike by catcher. Batter is out.

J. Extra Player

1. An Extra Player, referred to as an "EP", is optional but if one is used, it must be made known prior to the start of the game and be listed on the scoring sheet in the regular batting order.

2. All eleven must bat and any eleven can play defense. Defensive positions can be changed, but the batting order must remain the same.

3. The EP may bat for any defensive player, in essence serving as a DH.

4. Teams are limited to their EP batting for only one defensive player per game.

K. Extra Hitter

1. An Extra Hitter "EH" maybe used as a twelfth hitter. This player is only a batter and can not go in the field.

L. One courtesy runner is permitted and must be declared prior to the start of the game. The last batted out is the runner. One additional courtesy runner may be permitted based on an injury sustained during the game at the umpire’s discretion.

M. Re-entry Rule- Any player may be substituted or replaced and re-entered once, providing players occupy the same batting position whenever in the lineup. Players may not re-enter a second time. The starting player and their substitute may not be in the lineup at the same time. Once the substitute is pulled out for the starter’s re-entry his day is finished.

N. Rain out/game continuing rule. -After 4½ innings or 4 at bats for the losing team will make the game official. If a game is called due to weather it will not be finished or replayed. -The team ahead at the end of the last full inning would be the winner incase rain occurs during 5th, 6th, 7th. -No games will be continued

O. Runners may not leave base until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.

1. Penalty (a) If runner leaves early, then the player is out and "no pitch" is declared. When runner legally leaves base after pitch and ball is not hit by batter, he may be "picked off” by the ball being thrown to base with NO tag on the runner necessary. NO runners may advance unless the ball is mishandled or thrown wildly. If the pickoff throw is handled cleanly, a second pickoff attempt at another base may be made with the same "no tag" rule in effect. If the ball is thrown wildly or mishandled by fielder, all runners may advance after retouching their base.

P. Teams may play with 8 to 10 players, plus an "EP” if-at least 11 team members are present at game time, plus an "EH" if a twelfth player is present. If a team begins a game with 8 players and a ninth or tenth player arrives with the game in progress, he may be inserted but must bat in the last spot in the lineup. NOTE: Game cannot continue unless eight defensive players can be fielded.

Q. The League will have a 12 run rule. If at the end of 5 innings, one team is behind by 12 runs, the umpire will end the game and declare team that is ahead the winner of the contest.

R. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of any player or coach will result in an ejection from the game by the umpire, that player will be automatically suspended the next game (regular season or playoffs). A second ejection will result in possible suspension from the league for the remainder of the season pending a review of all managers. If player is suspended for 2nd time he has the right to an appeal.

S. Any team unable to field at least eight players must forfeit. Forfeit time will be 15 minutes after the official starting time. Any team forfeiting three games will be dropped from the League. If the team forfeiting does not give ample amount of time, and the Umpires are paid for the game. The team forfeiting will owe the fee of the umpires. The winning team will be reimbursed there umpire fee.

T. If rain forces cancellation of game, managers will be notified at least one hour before game time (if possible). All rescheduling of rain outs or make-up games will be left to the Commissioner based on availability of dates and fields with as much notice as possible.

U. Each team must supply one new softball for each game.

V. Although the ball is alive, no runners may advance during appeal plays, as this would constitute a form of stealing. W. Intentional walks may be issued by having the pitcher or coach inform the umpire. The ball need not be pitched.

X. All bats may only be Aluminum or Aluminum Alloy barreled bats. No Composite Barreled bats are allowed.

Y. A ball hit that ROLLS out of play in the outfield FAIR territory will be called a homerun. Any ball hit that is hit fair that BOUNCES out of play will be a ground rule double.

1. Any fair ball that enters a soccer or lacrosse net located in foul territory will be declared a dead ball by the umpire and award the runner(s) the next base.

2. Any fair ball that enters a soccer or lacrosse net located in fair territory (outfield fence) the play will continue.

Z. Each winning manager is responsible for contacting Steve P. via email or text within 24 hours of the completion of games with the results.

OTHER THAN THE RULES LISTED ABOVE, REGULAR BASEBALL RULES WILL APPLY.

Thank you, LEAGUE OFFICERS Town Liaison – John Mags Treasurer- Brian Nichols Secretary/Website – Steve P. Scheduling / Umpires / Equipment – Tom Seifert Eligibility – Nick Clark Rules – Mike Koth