HomeMy WebLinkAboutSoftball Rules & Regulations
SOFTBALL LEAGUE MODIFIED
RULES AND REGULATIONS
(Revised on 2-12-2015)
Mesa Marin Softball Coordinator: (661)203-4862 after 5:00 pm
City Parks Softball Coordinator: (661)333-4245 after 5:00 pm
LEAGUE ADMINISTRATION
Anthony Bishop, Recreation Coordinator
(661) 322-9874 Wok
(661)859-8618 Cell
abishop@bakersfieldcity.us
Valerie Rodriguez, Recreation Specialist
(661)322-9874 Work
(661)549-8072 Cell
vrodriguez@bakersfieldcity.us
David Stricker, Recreation Supervisor
(661)322-9874 Work
(661)342-8062 Cell
dstricke@bakersfieldcity.us
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ROSTERS & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY…………………………………………... 1
GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS………………………………………… 2 - 3
TEAM CONDUCT……………………………………………………………….. 3 - 4
SUSPENSIONS………………………………………………………………….. 4 - 5
FIELD CONDITIONS……………………………………………………………. 5
EQUIPMENT……………………………………………………………………… 6
CHAMPIONSHIPS GAMES……………………………………………………. 6
COED RULES & REGULATIONS……………………………………………… 7 - 8
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All playing rules listed below will govern League play. In the event that a
situation is not listed below, it will default to the ASA rules.
Highlights are rule changes for 2015 season
ROSTERS & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
1) All participants must be 18 years or older. Playing with an underage player will result
in the game being forfeited and suspension of the team Manager.
2) Players may only play on one team per night. No accommodations will be made for
scheduling conflicts. If a player is found to have played on 2 teams in the same night, the
games will be forfeited for both teams.
3) It’s the Team Manager’s responsibility to ensure a completed roster is turned in to League
Administration before your first league game. All players’ names and their signatures
must be on the roster before they can participate. Rosters cannot be changed after the
1st league game unless approved by League Administration.
4) Teams must have a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 20 players. League
Administration must approve a roster extension.
5) If a team falls below 12 players during the season the team manager is required to
contact League Administration to update the team roster. League Administration will
determine if the team qualifies to add players. If approved players are subject to removal
if their presence on the team creates an imbalance in the league. Players cannot be
added on game days.
6) A team that uses players not on their roster is subject to forfeits. Players playing
illegally may lose their privilege to play in the program for the year or longer.
7) Players must be ready to provide a photo ID at any time to an umpire or League staff.
Players unable to prove their identity will not be allowed to play. Approved ID includes:
Drivers License, California Identification Card, Credit Card with Photo, Costco Card,
Passport, Green Card, and photocopies will be accepted. Electronic copies of personal
ID’s such as a photo on a cell phone will not be accepted.
8) Random roster checks are done throughout the season. If a team falls below the
minimum of 8 players the game will result in a forfeit. Teams cannot request a random
roster check for a whole team but can protest the eligibility of a player see Rule #9.
Roster checks are a part of the game time.
9) If you suspect illegal players on the other team, you must notify the umpire before the 2nd
inning begins. Managers can protest up to 3 players on the opposing team. Umpires will
ask those players to provide ID, and then compare the ID to the scorecard. If the name of
the player(s) does not match up on the scorecard then it’s an automatic forfeit. If the
name does match up on the scorecard, the game will continue and scorecard will be
compared to the roster the next day. If a player cannot provide ID they will not be allowed
to continue playing and the game will resume.
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GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS
1) Players participating in the City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Adult Softball League
are not covered in any way for accident insurance or medical payments in any form.
League Format
2) All teams will be scheduled to play 2 preseason games and 10 league games. This
format could vary based on the number of teams that make up the League. Evaluations
games are not guaranteed.
3) Teams cannot request specific fields, umpires, or game times.
4) Teams are placed in divisions based on the following criteria: past performance, players’
abilities and pre-season evaluation
5) The League Administration reserves the right to reschedule, move games and change
game times as necessary.
Forfeits
6) If a team forfeits a game due to lack of players, the team must notify League
Administration at least 48 hours in advance about a situation that will prevent them from
playing a scheduled game; and they will be credited with a loss.
Line-ups & Game Time
7) A team will have the option of batting their entire legal roster of any number of players, 8
to 20.
8) Unlimited substitutions when batting 11 or more players. This must be decided and noted
on the scorecard before the beginning of the game.
9) Line-ups shall be turned into the umpire 10 minutes before game time. A game may be
played with a minimum of 8 players. Each team must fill out the score card with first and
last names for players and substitutes in order for the game to start. Players and
substitutes cannot be added to the scorecard once the game has officially started
(even in the case of injuries).
10) A 10 minute grace period can be used only if a team does not have at least 8
players. The grace period will come off the 1 hour game time. Teams may flip-flop after
the grace period if the opposing manager agrees. If 3 outs occur or if everyone bats and
the eighth player has not arrived, the game will be declared a forfeit.
11) Umpires have the official time clock. An official game will consist of four to seven innings
with no new inning beginning after one hour. Once an inning has started, it shall be
played to its completion. An exception would be if the home team is ahead. Note: If
games are called because of the weather then anything after 4 innings is
considered a complete game.
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Anti-collision
12) There is an anti-collision rule. If in the opinion of the umpire, the runner made no attempt
to slide or get around the fielder, the ball is dead. The runner or the batter shall be called
out due to the interference
13) A double first base and a home plate extension will be utilized during play. Players
running to first base or from 3rd base to home plate; may touch the orange 1st
base/extension or 1st base/home plate in order to avoid a collision.
Pitching, Batting & Running
14) The ball must be delivered with perceptible arc and reach a height of at least six feet from
the ground, while not exceeding a maximum height of 10 feet.
15) Pitchers have the right to pitch from up to 6 feet behind the pitcher’s mound. If pitching
on the sides, one foot must be on the pitcher’s mound. No pitcher is allowed to pitch in
front of the pitcher’s mound.
16) If a batter becomes unable to run the bases due to injury or illness, a courtesy runner is
permitted. Before the game starts, the manager must let the umpire and other team
manager know which players are going to need a runner. The runner can be any
player on the same team who is currently on the official scorecard. Teams cannot use the
same courtesy runner in the same inning. The use of this runner does not affect the
playing status of the batter. Coed: Courtesy runner must be male runner for male runner
& female runner for female runner.
17) Base runners can’t leave the base until the hitter hits the ball. No lead offs.
Foul Balls, Homeruns & Run Rule
18) A foul ball/foul tip caught by the catcher is an out.
19) After 2 strikes, and the batter hits a second foul ball, the batter is out (four strike rule).
20) After 5 home runs over the fence, per team, per game, the one-up rule will be in effect.
An out will be recorded for every ball after 5 that goes over the fence.
21) There is a Run Rule --15 runs after 5 innings if visitor team is ahead, 4 ½ innings if home
team is ahead.
TEAM CONDUCT
1) It is the team manager’s responsibility to set an example of sportsmanship and fair play.
As team manager, you are responsible for controlling the conduct of your players on the
field, before, during and after the game and informing them of any and all League rules
and regulations.
2) If your team remains after your game, you must not make any derogatory or inflammatory
remarks to the players or officials in the games in which you are a spectator or interfere
with the progress of the next game. If a player does exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct, the
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player can be ejected, must leave park, and can be suspended from the League
accordingly.
3) Smoking or the use of tobacco products is not allowed in the dugout or on the playing
field.
4) Glass containers are prohibited in City Parks by Municipal Code: 12.56.050 Section P.
Consumption of Alcohol
5) Consumption of alcoholic beverages on City property (including parking lots) is
prohibited by Municipal Code: 12.56.050 Section O, except when a permit is issued by
the Department of Recreation and Parks. Players with an alcohol permit are not allowed
to consume alcohol before or during their game.
6) Alcohol or any intoxicants are not allowed in or around the dugout area, or on the playing
field at any time. Any player arriving at a game intoxicated will not be allowed to
participate and will have to leave City property. Any player seen consuming alcohol or
any intoxicants before or during the game will be ejected immediately, must leave City
property immediately, and will be suspended from the League accordingly.
SUSPENSIONS
1) Any player found playing illegally (for example: playing on two teams on the same night
even if he/she is on both rosters, playing under an assumed name, or playing on a team
while not on the roster) will be suspended from the League accordingly.
2) Any participant ejected from a game must leave City property (including the parking lot)
immediately. If an ejected player refuses to leave his/her team’s game will be forfeited.
3) An ejected player will be suspended for a minimum of 1 game, not including the game
he/she was ejected from. This rule applies to all teams (both Men’s & Coed) the
participant plays on. The total length of the suspension will be determined by severity
of the violation. Any player ejected from a game can present his/her view of the incident
to League Administration. If ejected, your Team Manager will need to contact the
League Administration to discern the length of your suspension.
4) A suspended player is not allowed at City owned softball fields (either as a player or as a
spectator) during their suspension.
5) A suspended player participating while under suspension will be expelled from the
League for a minimum of 1 year. Any team playing with a suspended player will forfeit all
the games the player participated in and the Team Manager will be suspended
accordingly by League Administration.
6) If a suspended player chooses to appeal a suspension, the appeal must be written and
submitted within 48 hours of the suspension being issued to the Team Manager.
Please make sure that the written appeal is legible or it will not be accepted.
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7) If a team manager is suspended, an interim manager must be named until the suspension
is served.
8) If any manager/player receives two suspensions in the same season or in two
consecutive seasons. He/she will automatically be suspended from the League. The total
length of the suspension will be determined by League Administration.
9) If Police are called and a report filed, Team Managers are subject to suspension along
with any players involved.
10) Any equipment that is thrown at a player/umpire is an automatic ejection and a
suspension will be issued by League Administration accordingly.
11) ASA umpires are not allowed to officiate in any division in which they play. If this occurs,
the player/umpire will immediately be ejected from the League and his/her game will be
forfeited. As the result of the ejection, they will no longer be allowed to umpire.
FIELD CONDITIONS
1) The League Administration reserves the right to reschedule, move games and change
game times as necessary.
2) If there is a question about field conditions due to inclement weather the day of a
scheduled game, Team Managers are responsible for calling the Sports Line at 326-3989
or check the website: http://www.bakersfieldparks.us before 5:00 pm. After 5:00 pm,
Team Managers should call the Program Coordinator for their field: Mesa Marin 203-
4862, Local Fields 333-4245.
3) If games have not been postponed by 5:00 p.m. and it begins to rain before your game,
your team is responsible for showing up at the field where the umpire will make the
decision whether or not to postpone the game. If your team does not show up at the field
you are subject to a forfeit. Games will only be postponed if the field conditions become
unsafe.
4) If games are called because of the weather then anything after 4 innings is
considered a complete game.
5) Games that are postponed by League Administration for (weather, lights, lack of an
umpire, or unsafe field conditions, etc.) will be rescheduled by League Administration.
6) Original schedules should be followed unless otherwise notified. It’s the Team Managers
responsibility to contact League Administration within two days of postponed games for a
make-up schedule. Failure to show up for a make-up game will be considered a forfeit.
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EQUIPMENT
1) Game softballs will be provided by the Recreation and Parks Department.
2) No metal cleats, open toe shoes, or sandals allowed.
3) Electronic devices, including audio/video equipment, are not allowed on the playing field
or in the dugouts.
Bats
4) All bats must be registered prior to use in League play. Umpires will place a City Decal
on the bat indicating that bat has been registered. A bat must visibly show the City Decal
or will be considered illegal. All bats must be ASA certified. Use of a non-certified bat
will result in a minimum one year suspension from League. Senior Bats and
Wooden Bats are not allowed in League play.
5) Umpires have the authority to remove any bat at any time; if they suspect the bat has
been altered or damaged. The umpire also has the discretion to remove any bat that they
question as NOT being ASA certified.
6) Any bat that the umpire suspects to be illegal will be tested by an ASA
Representative. If a player refuses to have the bat tested, the bat will be prohibited from
use in League. The bat must cleared by League Administration before it can be used
again in League play.
7) If a player gets severely hurt by being hit with the ball off the bat, the ball and bat will
automatically will be taken away and tested by an ASA Representative.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
1) If there is a tie for first place at the end of the season, a championship game will take
place to determine the winner.
2) If there is a tie for second place at the end of the season, the winner will be determined by
points.
3) If more than two teams tie for first place at the end of the season, the top two teams will
be determined by points to play a championship game.
4) First and second place teams of every division will automatically move up in divisions.
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COED RULES
1) Men will use the Certified ASA 12” ball and Women will use the Certified ASA 11” ball in
Coed.
2) There are no position restrictions on any players. Women may play the whole field.
3) There shall never be more males on the field than females; with 4 females being the
minimum number allowed to constitute an official game. You may have more
females than males, but never vice-versa.
4) If a female has to leave the game and this would result in more men than women on the
field, then the male that follows her in the batting lineup must also leave the field. An out
will be recorded the first time the female batter comes up in the line-up; she will be
eliminated from the scorecard from that point forward. If a female leaves the game and
there is still more women than men on the field, then the male following her in the batting
lineup does not have to leave the game.
5) A Courtesy runner must be male runner for male runner & female runner for female
runner. (See General Rules & Regulations Rule 16)
6) If a male walks on 4 straight balls, he goes to 2nd and the female that follows has option to
bat or take 1st.
BATTING LINE-UP
7) A team will have the option of batting their entire legal roster of any number of players 8
to 20. The batting order must alternate between male and female (you may start either a
mail or female as the first batter). Two females may bat back to back, but never two
males.
8) Batting order must alternate male-female; two females may bat back to back, but never
two males. If during a game a team is found to have batted two males back to back
the game will result in an automatic forfeit for that team.
9) If there are more males than females the females shall be allowed to leapfrog
through the batting order. (The female batters must stay in order while
leapfrogging). Batting females out of order while leapfrogging will be result in an
out.
10) When leapfrogging: Team Managers must indicate females on the scorecard by writing
the letter “F” to the right of the females name followed by what number female they are in
the lineup. The first female would be F1, the second female would be F2 and so on.
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Scorecard Example:
If a team has 7 guys and 4 girls here is an example of how to fill out the scorecard:
1) Jordan Smith
2) Lilli Brown F1
3) Mike Soto
4) Sandy Soto F2
5) Leo Burton
6) Vicki Connors F3
7) Matt South
8) Rose Watson F4
9) John Leon
10)
11) David Jones
12)
13) Steve Smith
14)