CITY OF MELBOURNE, PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Transcription

1 CITY OF MELBOURNE, PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT GENERAL RULES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES HANDBOOK GOVERNING RECREATION SOFTBALL LEAGUES **All Changes made January, 2018 have been highlighted in yellow** The following policies and procedures of operation have been established by the City of Melbourne, Parks and Recreation Department in order to provide an enjoyable program for the residents of Melbourne, FL. We ask that each team manager, player and sponsor read this policy of operation as set forth and cooperate accordingly thereby assisting in the overall success of the program. 1. MEMBERSHIP: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES a. Any organized team with a sponsor or a team manager to represent them may enter a team by satisfying the entrance requirements. b. The league fee is determined by the Recreation Superintendent and must be paid in full to the City of Melbourne, within the deadline as set. League fees are non-refundable after the set registration deadline. League fees are payable to City of Melbourne. c. Fees shall not be refunded in the event a team is suspended or drops from the league. No Refunds after registration deadline (see most recent Park and Recreation Guide at d. The number of teams allowed may be limited. All entry fees will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. 2. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY: a. All teams players and managers must complete and sign the official waiver form. Managers must be submitting their team roster to the league director or softball worker prior to the team s first game. Teams can add/drop up to 5 th game. b. Any person who has not completed and signed the waiver form before the game starts will not be permitted to play under any circumstances. c. It is the team Manager s responsibility to make sure all players have a waiver filled out before the game starts. d. Any player without a waiver found playing during the game will be declared an illegal player and the game will be forfeited. e. A player must play on only one team in a league. Players may transfer from one team to another only one time per season by completing a drop/add form. This transfer must be completed before a teams 5 th game.

2 f. A team may carry no more than 20 players on the roster at any time during the season unless teams are affected by shift work and this must be approved by the Recreation Superintendent. (i.e. Fire Dept. Police Dept., Military, etc.) g. Teams may add players to their roster up until the start of their teams 5 th game. After this time, a roster freeze will go into effect and no roster changes will be permitted. h. Any player wishing to be dropped or added to a team s roster must complete and sign a drop/add form, prior to participating in the league. No player may be added or dropped to a team s roster over the phone or by . i. All team rosters must include the team name, manager s name and player s name. Incomplete rosters will not be accepted. j. No pick-up players will be permitted in any of the leagues. At least nine (9) rostered players must be present at game time for the men s, open, coed, and women s leagues. (See 7b for special rules). k. To be eligible for play-off games, a player must have played in at least six regular season games. A player must physically play in six games to be eligible for playoffs. Forfeits will not count. l. In the event a player is ejected from the game, he/she will automatically be suspended from the team s next game. Depending on the severity of the player s ejection, the Recreation Superintendent may suspend the ejected player from league play for any length of time. m. Players from teams that have been removed from the league or have been disbanded may not play on another team in the league unless they receive written confirmation from the Recreation superintendent. n. Any Manager that wishes to question the eligibility of another teams player(s) must STOP the game (within the time limit or before the umpire calls the game). The manager must notify the umpire AND the Recreation softball worker and a protest will then be in effect. If the player is an illegal/non-eligible player, the game is immediately called a forfeit. The question of an illegal-non-eligible player will not be allowed after the game is over. 3. Pitch Screen Rules A. The Pitch Screen must be used on all fields, by all pitchers, in all leagues. B. The pitcher is to throw the ball and get behind the screen before the ball is hit. The screen has to stay between the pitcher and the hitter. Once the ball passes the screen/net the pitcher can field the ball and move about to assist the other bases like normal play. If the pitcher throws the ball and doesn t get behind the screen/net and is hit, that is part of the game. C. If the ball doesn t pass the screen, the pitcher is allowed to step out in front of the screen to field the ball. The catcher has to come out from behind the plate to field the ball or third baseman or first baseman whichever is closest. Once the ball is put into play, the pitcher is allowed to field the ball. D. If the ball is thrown in from the field of play after being hit out and hits the screen it is still a live ball. No knocking the net down E. If the batter hits the ball into the screen, the first time it s a foul ball. The second time will be an out. 4. Corporate League Rules: A. Eligibility: A player must be able to provide a current pay statement and photo ID, or a company badge (ID required if there is not a photo). Contractors working for the company should have a company badge or documentation stating they work at the site. Retired employees need to provide a redacted pay statement. Rosters are set at maximum of 20 players on a Roster 80% percent

3 follow the eligibility guidelines, 20% can be non-employees. Teams may pick up as many as two players to reach a total of nine players to avoid forfeits. (A tenth player may not be picked up). Only players currently on Corporate League Rosters are eligible to be picked up. You may add batters at the end of the batting order after the start of the game as long as they are on the roster. B. All pay statements/company badges without a photo ID will be asked for the player s Driver s license to present to the Recreation Softball worker at the 1 st game but must be prepared to present their Driver s license at any time during the league to verify players. If the driver s license is not presented to the Recreation Softball worker at that time, the player is an illegal player and the game is a forfeit. C. All players will have their employment with each Company verified- if there are any questions/issues with the person s employment, that player will not be able to play until employment is fully verified and the manager will be contacted. D. No maximum or minimum number of Female players. Females have the option to use the Women s or Men s softball. When Females bat, players will be behind the coed line in the outfield (200 line per coed rules). E. Strike mat: a 2 x3 mat will be placed behind home plate. Any pitch of legal height that hits any portion of the mat is a strike. Corporate teams must purchase strike mats. F. Runs per inning- Only 5 runs allowed per inning per team regardless of how many outs, except last inning when unlimited runs can score. G. USSSA bats will be used (Shaved or Modified bats are not allowed). H. All other rules will be followed in the City of Melbourne Recreation League Adult Softball rules. 5. MANAGER: a. The manager is the official representative of the team. b. The manager is responsible for fielding a team in accordance with the official game schedule. c. The manager is responsible for fielding a team in the required uniform. All uniforms must be numbered and of a consistent uniform color. Teams need to have required uniforms before the 5 th game. (No Sharpies) otherwise the game is a forfeit. d. A manager may be required to provide any information on a member(s) of his team regarding disputes, protests, injuries, etc. upon request of the league Recreation Superintendent. e. The manager will turn in a line-up including player last names to the Umpire five minutes prior to game time. The line-up will become official when the first pitch is thrown. f. The manager is responsible for the eligibility of his players. g. The manager is responsible for the conduct of his players at all times on and off the playing field. No profanity is allowed on the field at the umpire s discretion. There will be one warning (depending upon the severity of the profanity) and then the player will be expelled from the game. h. The Recreation Superintendent s and umpire communication with the team will be made through the team manager. i. All managers and coaches must stay in the dugout unless coaching a base. j. The manager will be responsible for the conduct of their team during protests or disputes at any time while in league play.

4 k. The manager is responsible for the music played in the dugout. All music is at the discretion of the umpire. No profanity is allowed in any songs. 6. PROTESTED GAME: a. Can result when there is a difference of opinion on the field between the protesting Team and the Umpire regarding the application or interpretation of either Official Printed Playing Rules or Specially Adopted Ground Rules. b. CONDITIONS GOVERNING ACCEPTANCE OF PROTESTS DURING PLAYING OF A GAME: i. Based on an umpire s judgment such as whether a batted ball was fair or foul, a pitched ball was a ball or a strike, a base runner was safe or out, or when any other situation is completely within the umpires scope to make the decision, is not to be accepted for consideration. ii. Based on alleged misinterpretation or application of the playing rules should be accepted for consideration and decision. iii. The intention to protest a rule must be made known by the Manager or Captain of the protesting team to the Umpire immediately, and before the next pitch is made to a batter. This is to enable all concerned that is Umpires, Recreation softball worker and the opposing team to take notice of the exact conditions prevailing on the field at the time of the protest. The Umpire receiving the protest shall immediately notify all concerned. c. All protests must be submitted in writing along with a $25.00 fee in order to be considered. The Recreation Superintendent must receive written protests within the next business day by or at Eau Gallie Civic Center 1551 Highland Ave. d. All written protest statements must include the following: 1) Date of Game, 2) Dated Filed, 3) Manager s Name, 4) Rule Protested, 6) Application of Rule, 7) Information about the protest. e. The protest fee will be returned if the Recreation Superintendent upholds the protest. The protest fee will be deposited in the City s General Fund if protest is lost. f. Managers will be notified and may be requested to answer questions concerning protest if so desired by the Recreation Superintendent. g. The Recreation Superintendent will rule on all protests within 48 hours. 7. FORFEITS: a. Teams can start 8 as visitors until 3 outs or absent person bats. Any team failing to field 9 players by the bottom of the 1 st inning will forfeit. A team must play ten (10) players when present and ready to play a game. b. Teams must field at least nine (9) roster players and no players will be allowed to be pick-up from the stands or another team. The no pick-up rule will be strictly enforced. Co-ed League can play more girls than guys without taking an out. You can play co-ed with 4 girls and 5 guys but you will take an out in the batting order until you have the 5 th girl. c. If a player(s) is ejected or removed from the game by an umpire or for any cause, the team may continue to play as long as nine (9) players are on the field. The batting slots in the lineup will become outs.

5 d. In the event one or both teams refuse to start or continue the game at the umpire s command, a forfeit or forfeits will result. e. In the event both teams are unable to field nine (9) eligible players by game time, forfeits will be assigned against both teams. f. If a team wins by forfeit, then the players present must be entered into the official scorebook. This will not be required in the event a team drops from the league. g. If a team has more than two (2) consecutive week s forfeits during the regular season, they will not be eligible to compete in the playoffs. The Recreation Superintendent reserves the right to remove a team from the league after two (2) consecutive forfeited weeks or may impose whatever disciplinary action deemed necessary. h. Any team that voluntarily drops from the league and offers no valid reason for their action will remain out of the league for the remainder of the season. i. In the event a team drops from the league, wins will be recorded for the opposing team for all games for the remainder of the regular season. j. The official score of a forfeited game will be 7-0 in favor of the team not at fault. 8. SCHEDULES: a. The official league schedule(s) will be developed by the Recreation Superintendent and distributed to the team managers prior to the beginning of the league. The regular season and playoff schedule formats will be determined based on both the number of teams entered in the league and budget restraints. b. All post-season schedules will consist of a divisional double elimination tournament format. Play off schedules will not be broken into separate divisions unless otherwise notified. c. The Recreation Superintendent shall reschedule games rained out or postponed only if they will affect the outcome of the league standings or playoff seeding. d. A power failure or cold weather (40 degrees or below) shall be considered a rainout. e. In case of rain outs, please call (321) after 4pm. Team managers will be notified of early game cancellations, If games are called by 4:00 PM 9. GAMES/SCOREBOOK a. The game shall be played in accordance with U.S.S.S.A. rules with the exception of the rules listed in these rules and procedures. One umpire per game, the umpire will keep the official time. The home team will keep the official scorebook which is provided by the Recreation Staff prior to the game and then returned to the staff when game ends (under extenuating circumstances the visiting team might need to keep score with the official scorebook, as long as both teams agree to this). i. A regular game of 7 innings. ii. All games will be played with a one and one count on the batter. (1ball/1 strike) iii. A game is official after five (5) innings or 4 and ½ innings if the home team is ahead. This includes games shortened by rain, power outages, mercy rule and the curfew. The Mercy Rule will go into effect if a team is up by 20 after 3 innings, 15 after 4 innings or 10 after 5 innings.

6 10. EQUIPMENT: iv. The Recreation Superintendent will determine the league playoff schedule and playoff seeding based on the league standings during the regular season. v. In the event a game goes into extra innings, that game will be completed before the next scheduled game starts. [Extra inning games will be 1 pitch per batter with runner on 2 nd to start each inning. The man on 2 nd is the person who made the last out the previous inning. Coed girls don t walk in extra innings, they have to hit per USSSA rules.] vi. All games will be played with a 60-minute time limit. No inning shall start after 55 minutes, unless to complete the bottom of an inning or to break a tie-game. vii. A 12am curfew will be in affect for all games. No inning will start after 11:50pm. The game will be official after 5 innings or 4 and ½ innings if the home team is ahead. viii. All games will be umpired by officials secured at Southwest Sports Complex Monday through Friday evening s beginning at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30pm. The day and field location each league will play will be announced at the league (s) organizational meeting (s). ix. Inside the park home runs will not be considered when determining home run hitters. Home run limit rules may change for future leagues and it will be decided prior to the start of each league as to what these limits are. Home runs are 2 and 2 for each team and then progressive including Coed. x. Only league approved game balls will be used, supplied by the City of Melbourne. xi. The must slide is no longer in effect. If there is a collision at home plate the runner will be ejected from the game, unless the umpire feels play was not intentional. a. Each team shall furnish all gloves, bats, catchers equipment, protective equipment and required uniforms. b. The Parks & Recreation Department will furnish softballs, playing fields, maintenance, officials, schedules and lights. c. All players are required to wear numbered team jerseys that are uniform in color. The Uniform Rule will be in effect by a team s 5 th game. d. Players are encouraged to wear caps but are not required to while at bat or in the field. e. All players must wear adequate shoes for playing softball. Rubber soled shoes, such as tennis or soccer shoes are permitted. Street shoes, golf shoes, steel cleats and bare feet are not permitted. 11. RULES OF CONDUCT: a. Managers, Coaches, Players, substitutes, trainers, bat boys or other team member or occupant of the bench, SHALL NOT commit the following from any place (including coaches boxes): i. Incite, or try to incite by word, or sign, or demonstration either opponents and/or spectators. ii. Use of language that will in any manner refer to or reflect upon opposing players, the Umpires, Players, or Spectators. NOTE: Use of profane or abusive language or taunting will not be tolerated.

7 b. Players violating Sections i. or ii. Above can be ejected from the game without warning. c. Shall not argue balls and strikes calls. d. Be outside the vicinity of the designated dugout (bench) area if not a batter, Base Runner on deck batter, in the Coaches Boxes, or one of the ten players on defense. e. Commit any act that could be considered unsportsmanlike conduct. Throwing the bat for any reason will be an Automatic ejection from game without warning. f. For a first offense, the violator may be warned that to repeat the offense will cause prompt ejection from the game. All flagrant offenses (including a first offense) shall cause the offender to be immediately removed from the game and playing area. An ejected player must leave the park immediately and take no further part in the game, remaining away from his team s bench and bullpen. g. When team members continue to harass the umpires from the bench, and he is unable to detect the offenders, the umpire shall first give warnings and then if repeated, tell the manager to send all substitutes out of sight of the field while giving the manager the privilege of sending for as many substitute players as he may need, as he needs them to finish the game. h. Unsportsmanlike conduct and the use of abusive or boisterous profanity will not be tolerated. Will be cause for automatic ejection from game without warning. i. No player under the influence of alcohol will be allowed on the field or in the park. Smoking is not permitted on the playing field or dugouts. No Alcohol in the park. j. Players ejected off the field by an umpire are required to leave the field immediately, within one (1) minute. k. Players ejected for flagrant violation of the rules will receive an automatic lifetime suspension from the league, All Tournaments and from any other City of Melbourne Recreation sponsored program. Other acts of violence, profanity, threats, or other malice, which the Recreation Superintendent feels is detrimental to the softball program, will be dealt with according to the severity of the act. l. The Recreation Superintendent will rule on all disciplinary action against players, managers, or teams. The Recreation Superintendent will be responsible for the operation of the league and enforcement of the rules. The Recreation Superintendent will make the final decision regarding protests, suspensions, reinstatement of players, and all rules governing the softball program. MELBOURNE PARKS AND RECREATION ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUE ALTERED BAT POLICY as of March 1, 2015 All Players must have USSSA sanctioned bats with the USSSA emblem on the bat (see picture on next page) To address the concern of altered or just excessively used softball bats, Melbourne Parks and Recreation is asking players to no longer use any altered bat or any bat that shows any visible sign of wear and on the barrel, knob, cap or plug. Melbourne Parks and Recreation umpires are authorized to remove any bat and test said bat they suspect was altered in any way. Player s requests will not be honored.

8 The bat is out of play until it gets tested (play will continue). The player must get with the Recreation Softball Workers to get the bat tested. If the bat is found to be altered during the game, the user will be suspended from playing the rest of the game and 1 additional game. If the altered bat is brought back into play, the user of the bat will be suspended from league play for one full year or more upon Recreation Superintendents decision. If the player commits a second offense, they will be suspended from the league for one full year. If player volunteers to get bat tested to see if it is altered before the game, and it is found to be altered, there is no penalty on the player and the bat must be removed from play in Melbourne Parks & Recreation adult softball leagues The proceeding general rules, policies and procedures are subject to change at any time without prior notice. The Recreation Superintendent reserves the right to accept or eject any team, sponsor, or player from participating in the league (s), tournament (s) or any other activity sponsored by the City of Melbourne, Parks and Recreation Department. We ask for your cooperation in order for the league to run as smoothly as possible.