Oil City Slo-Pitch Association

Transcription

1 Oil City Slo-Pitch Association 2016 League House Rules Visit the Website at for ALL league information. The most recent SPN Rulebook with the following Amendments shall govern this league. EXECUTIVE:... 2 Division Coordinators:... 2 THE SEASON:... 3 SCOREBOOKS/SCORE SHEETS:... 3 ROSTERS:... 4 TEAM LINE UP:... 5 SUBSTITUTIONS:... 5 BORROWING PLAYERS:... 5 EXTRA HITTER:... 6 REPORTING SCORES:... 6 FORFEITS & TIES:... 6 AGE LIMIT:... 7 EQUIPMENT:... 7 PLAYOFFS:... 8 EXTRA INNINGS (TIEBREAKER PLAYOFFS ONLY):... 8 PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY:... 9 INELIGIBLE PLAYERS:... 9 PROTEST FEE:... 9 RAINOUTS: GAME TIMES AND DURATION: LAST INNING OPEN: MERCY RULE: RESCHEDULE OF GAMES: PITCHING: PITCHING ARC: PITCHING ZONE: PITCHER/CATCHER: STRIKE ZONE: BATTER S BOX: BASE PATH: COMMITMENT LINE: Page 1

2 HOME PLATE/SCORING LINE: LEAVING BASE (LEAD OFF): PINCH RUNNERS: WALKING A PLAYER: BUNTING: UMPIRES: PREGNANCY: JEWELLERY: APPROVED BATS: INSURANCE: ALCOHOL: EXECUTIVE: Any and all issues or concerns regarding the league are to be directed, IN WRITING, to: Teresa Rocque at teresa_rocque@hotmail.com OR your division co-ordinator. It must be in writing stating the date, time and details of the event so that it may be addressed appropriately. Events not in writing cannot be addressed! Division Coordinators: Monday/Wednesday Tuesday/Thursday Teams should contact their division coordinator if they have questions or concerns on their night of play. They should also advise them if they are unable to play their scheduled game and will be forfeiting so that the opposing team and umpires can be advised. Page 2

3 THE SEASON: 1. The season will consist of 1 9 game seeding round followed by another 1 8 game seeding round and one 7 game regular season (round robin) games for a total of 24 games, followed by playoffs. Teams will be seeded accordingly following each round and the 3 rd round will determine team spots for playoffs. 2. Teams will be awarded: 2 points for a win 1 point for a tie 0 points for a loss 3. If there is a tie at the end of the season, the teams will go to head-to-head tiebreaker to determine who sits higher in the standings. 4. Points earned in the seeding rounds will not be carried over; only regular season points will be used for playoff positions. SCOREBOOKS/SCORE SHEETS: 1. At the beginning of the season, teams will be given a copy of the House Rules, a Scorebook and a SPN Rule Book and a 2-part Roster. a. Score sheets MUST be completed including date of the game, both team names and all substitute players names. Incomplete score sheets will be considered invalid and will not be counted towards players 8 game eligibility. 2. At the completion of regular season, PRIOR TO PLAYOFFS, scorebooks must readily available to the Executive if required. All information must be completed as needed. a. If at any time during playoffs, a protest may be filed against the eligibility of players on your team, by the opposing team; and your scorebook will be requested immediately by the Executive to investigate the challenge. b. If you are unable to provide your scorebook, immediately upon request, your team will forfeit the protest challenge; regardless of the validity of your player and will face a $30 forfeit fine. The Executive may only have 24 hours in which to investigate the challenge, so your prompt attention to this rule is important. NOTE: Any PLAYOFF games that are forfeited may result in your early elimination from the playoffs. Page 3

4 ROSTERS: 1. All rosters must be completed and handed in by June 30, 2016 or sooner. FULL COMPLETE NAMES are required on the roster; no nicknames! Completed rosters can be handed in to any member of the Executive or faxed or scanned and ed in by June 30 th, 2016 or sooner. Please ensure that the names can be read ask your players to PRINT their names. NOTE: Rosters must be completed with full name, address and SIGNED by the player to be valid. Rosters are needed for insurance purposes and any player that has incomplete information may be ineligible. 2. If your roster is not received by the June 30, 2016 at the latest, the team will be fined $30 and any future wins will be recorded as forfeits until it is received. If still not received by the end of the round robin, you will not qualify for a playoff schedule. 3. All completed rosters will be kept on file with the league so that they can be referred to as needed. FULL COMPLETE NAMES are required on the roster; no nicknames. Captains/team contacts are RESPONSIBLE for checking the rosters on the website to ensure that player s names are complete and spelled correctly and if there are any missing players. Missing players or corrections WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER JULY 15, Teams are eligible to have players on their roster from opposing nights. For example, a player that is on the roster of a team playing Monday/Wednesday can also be on the roster of a team playing Tuesday/Thursday. Players cannot be on the roster of (2) two different teams that play on the same night. NOTE: If you have players that choose to play for 2 different teams from opposing nights, the eight (8) game eligibility rule for playoffs remains in effect. You cannot combine rosters to make a total 8 games. 5. Completed rosters are submitted to the sanctioning body for insurance purposes. No roster means players are not insured! 5. Changes can be submitted to your roster at any time prior to July 15th by sending an with the complete name, address and phone number of the amending player. HOWEVER, keep in mind that players MUST have 8 games (verified by game score sheets) to be eligible for playoffs. NOTE: the roster is a 2-part form; you only need to submit one copy. It is highly recommended that you retain one copy for your files. Page 4

5 TEAM LINE UP: 1. Each team consists of 7 males and 3 females. 2. A team MAY consist of a minimum of 9 players, 3 of which must be female. The 10 th player on the line-up will be an automatic out. 3. If starting with 9 players and the 10 th player shows up prior to the end of the 3 rd inning, the player shall be permitted to enter the game. Thus reverting to a 10 player line-up with no auto out. This person must be identified on the score sheet. Exception: If a team chooses to start with only 9 players, they do not have to take the auto out. However, they will NOT be able to insert a 10 th player into the line-up, regardless of when they show up. They must finish with 9 players. The umpire must be notified of this prior to the start of the game. (If you start with 6 and 4, you must finish with 6 and 4.) Note: If teams choose to use the Extra Hitter rule, EH batters must be identified on the line-up with an asterisk. See below. SUBSTITUTIONS: 1. Females CAN to go into the game in place of a male. 2. Males CANNOT replace females. 3. Substitutions MUST BE recorded on your score sheet and provided to the opposing team prior to the start of the game. Names must be listed on the bottom of your line up and the substitution recorded when made on both team s line-up (YOU MUST ADVISE THE OTHER TEAM). Games played are counted towards playoff eligibility so it is important these changes are recorded by both teams. BORROWING PLAYERS: 1. Players can be borrowed from all divisions; i.e. Monday/Wednesday can borrow from Tuesday/Thursday and vice-versa. However, the eligibility rule comes into effect; players must have 8 games to be eligible for playoffs. 2. All players must be able to present photo ID on request AT ANY TIME at the diamonds. 3. PLAYERS CANNOT BE BORROWED DURING THE POST-SEASON PLAY (PLAYOFFS). Page 5

6 EXTRA HITTER: Teams MUST HAVE no more than 7 guys and no less than 3 girls on the field. If a team chooses to bat 11 or 12 players, the following rules MUST apply: 1. Extra hitters are allowed and the line-up MAY consist of the following: 10 players; no extra hitter 11 players; female extra hitter only 12 players; one male/one female extra hitter OR both female extra hitters. Teams CANNOT have 2 male extra hitters. NOTE: The umpires SHOULD BE advised if using the EH rule. 2. If a team is using the EH rule and a player is injured and cannot be replaced, teams must revert back to: 10 players; or If a male is injured; 11 players, with female extra hitter ONLY; or If a female is injured; 10 or 11 players, with female extra hitter ONLY as a female player cannot be replaced by a male. Example: If a team chooses to bat 12 players with an extra guy, extra girl and a female player is injured and cannot be replaced; the male extra hitter MUST come out of the game and revert to 10 players. If a female player is the injured player, you CANNOT bat 8 guys. REPORTING SCORES: 1. Scores MUST be reported by the winning team and MUST be reported within 24 hours. If your scores are not reported on a timely basis, this may affect your standings for the next round and/or playoffs. 2. If scores are not reported within 24 hours, a 7-7 tie will be issued by the league. 3. Teams are given a 4 digit password to report scores on-line. This password will be ed to the captains at the beginning of the season. Captains or team contacts are responsible for notifying the league if they do not receive a code. FORFEITS & TIES: 1. Forfeits are recorded as a 7-0 by the winning team and/or the league and Forfeit by Home Team or Forfeit by Visiting Team MUST be shown so that scores are reported Page 6

7 correctly. A note in the heading is useful as to why there was a forfeit (e.g. not enough players, insufficient equipment, no show). 2. Teams that forfeit their game will be fined $30 from their bond to cover the cost of the umpire for that game. The only exception would be if a team notifies the league 24 hours in advance that they will be forfeiting their game due to I.E. lack of players. 3. Ties should be reported by the BOTH teams to verify it has been done. AGE LIMIT: 1. All players must be at least 18 years of age to play in the league. Exception: A person can play if they are 16 or 17 years of age with the written permission of their parents. Permission letters must also state that the league will not be held responsible for any injuries incurred during the season. Permission letters are available for download on the website. EQUIPMENT: 1. Team must purchase their own set of bases (including an orange/white safety bag for first base) and all bases MUST BE DOUBLE PEGGED. So purchase extra pegs. It is also suggested that teams purchase extra cones so that foul lines, out-of-bounds, commitment line and safety line can be marked (this will make it easier for your umpire and yourselves). A 100 ft. measuring tape is also recommended as base lines must be measured out appropriately. 2. Teams are provided with a wooden mat, balls (12 and 11 ), foul line marker cones and a scorebook with roster. Teams are responsible for providing bases, including a safety bag with pegs as well as a 100 ft. measuring tape to measure out the base lines. 12 balls are used for male hitters and 11 balls are used for female hitters, make sure you switch balls on the change of male/female hitters. Exception: Female hitters have the option to use the large ball but must advise the umpire before the first pitch. Otherwise, the small ball will automatically be used for female hitters. 3. Home team shall supply the wooden mat, marker cones, 2 bases and a safety bag for first base (including pegs). Home teams that do not provide at least the mat and bases (with pegs) at game time will forfeit the game. ALL BAGS MUST BE DOUBLED PEGGED or TEAMS WILL BE FINED $30.00 AND YOUR GAME WILL BE FORFEITED. Page 7

8 4. The mat measures 24 inches by 36 inches. The mat is to cover the complete triangle of home plate and CANNOT BE ALTERED (i.e. cut-out to match the plate). Any altered mat will result in a call of an equipment infraction and a forfeit may be issued at umpire s discretion. Any altered mat MUST BE replaced before the next regularly scheduled game. 5. Teams are provided with cones to mark out the foul lines on 1 st and 3 rd base. It is recommended that you use additional cones to mark the commitment line and safety line and the out-of-bounds. This will make the umpire s job easier and less hassle for your team. 6. A safety bag at first base must be used. The base runner MUST touch the orange portion of the bag whenever running to or if there is a play at first base. 6. Bags should be pegged with the pegs facing away from the approaching runner to avoid injury should the runner slide into the bag. 7. Teams are recommended to purchase a measuring tape (at least 100 ft.). Base lines and pitching distance should be measured accurately. PLAYOFFS: 1. Playoffs will BEGIN with ALL teams playing a best of 3 series. 1 st place, 2 nd place, 3 rd place and are determined as follows: WINNERS of the best of 3 series will proceed to the next best of 3 game series and so on. LOSERS are eliminated. 2. Playoff format is based on team standings at the end of round robin: 1 st plays 8 th ; 2 nd plays 7 th ; 3 rd plays 6 th ; 4 th plays 5 th Exception: this format will change if there are more or less than 8 teams within that tier/division. A playoff format is available for viewing on the website. EXTRA INNINGS (TIEBREAKER PLAYOFFS ONLY): In the event of a tie (after 7 complete innings) during a playoff game only: Page 8

9 1. The offensive team shall begin its half of the inning with one out and a runner on 2 nd. 2. The runner on 2 nd shall be the player who PRECEDES (is before) the legal batter in the order up to bat. 3. The defensive team shall begin its half of the inning in the same manner. PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY: 1. A player must be on the team roster and have played at least 8 games to be eligible for post-season play. 2. Each player MUST have photo ID and be on hand to present at a league representative s request. INELIGIBLE PLAYERS: 1. Any player that is not on a league roster; or whose information was on the roster but is incorrect, unreadable or incomplete; or whom cannot produce photo ID (during playoffs) if requested will be deemed ineligible to play. Note: Any team caught using an ineligible player will forfeit that game, the ineligible player will be eliminated from playoffs and the team will face a loss of $30.00 from their bond. PROTEST FEE: 1. If you feel it necessary to protest a game during playoffs due to suspected illegal players; a formal protest MUST be announced at the start of the game, to the umpire, and the game is PLAYED UNDER PROTEST. DO NOT CALL THE LEAGUE PRIOR TO YOUR GAME TO PROTEST PLAY THE GAME! 2. Immediately following the completion of your game, a protest must be filed with the league, IN WRITING, protesting the game and a fee of $50 must accompany the protest. It is the Captain s responsibility to print off a copy of the roster of the opposing team from the website in order to validate your protest. The league WILL NOT provide this information and WILL NOT check the rosters and/or score sheets unless a protest has been filed and $50 fee has been paid. REMEMBER, for the league to investigate your protest BEFORE THE START of your next game, your protest must be filed in a timely fashion. Page 9

10 NOTE: make sure you submit your own rosters and scorebooks! 3. If the protest is ruled in your favour, the $50 is refunded to you. If the protest is in favour of the opposing team, you lose the $50 protest fee. REMINDER: the team that is caught using ineligible players will forfeit that game, the ineligible player will be eliminated from playoffs and the team will face a loss of $30.00 from their bond. RAINOUTS: 1. The City field closure line will be used to determine of a game is a rainout or not. Call 311 and press *5* OR visit the City of Edmonton website OR click on the link of the OCSA website home page. Make sure all of your players are aware of this information. 2. The line is updated every day by 4:00pm. 3. If it is raining and the announcement states that the fields are OPEN or OPEN At User s Discretion; the teams MUST SHOW UP AT THE DIAMONDS. 4. If it begins raining on the way to your game, you must show up at the diamond, DO NOT CALL THE LEAGUE, the umpires will make the final decision regarding whether or not the game will be played. 5. Teams are responsible for checking the website regularly and informing their players under these conditions. THE LEAGUE WILL CONTACT TEAMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF GAMES ARE GOING TO BE CANCELLED. THE WEBSITE WILL BE CHANGED, OUR FACEBOOK PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AND TEAM CAPTAINS/CONTACTS WILL RECEIVE AN . ABUSIVE S AND MESSAGES TO THE LEAGUE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED PLEASE BE PATIENT! GAME TIMES AND DURATION: 1. All games will start at 6:15pm or 7:45pm. There will be a 10 minute grace period allowed for early games only. Additional grace time is at the discretion of the umpire. 2. Games will consist of 7 innings. No new inning will start after 1 hour and 15 minutes. 3. Should a game have to be called early due to bad weather or darkness, then a game may be considered a complete game after 5 complete innings, Page 10

11 4. If 5 complete innings have not been played then the game will be rescheduled. 5. A team may only score a maximum of 5 runs in the first 6 innings (with the exception of last inning). Exception: The only exception to these rules MAY be applied during post-season IF the season has experienced poor weather, resulting in many game delays and daylight in September is in demand. In this case, game times will be changed to 6:15pm and 7:30pm with NO GRACE PERIODS and will be 75 minute games times with NO NEW INNING after 65 minutes so that teams can complete at least 5 innings. Games will be considered complete after 5 innings. LAST INNING OPEN: 1. If a game is running longer than the allotted time of 1 hour and 15 minutes, the umpire will use his/her best judgement to CALL LAST INNING. Last inning will be called at the top of the inning in question, and this inning will be deemed an OPEN INNING. MERCY RULE: 1. If either team is losing by 15 or more runs after 5 or 6 complete innings, it will be considered a mercy and the game will be over. 2. Home team does not bat if they are up by 15 runs in the bottom of the 5 th or 6 th inning. RESCHEDULE OF GAMES: 1. The league will reschedule rainout games. TEAMS DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO RESCHEDULE GAMES BETWEEN THEMSELVES. 2. If the games cannot be rescheduled, each team will receive a 7-7 tie for said game. PITCHING: 1. The pitcher must allow for the batter to be positioned with both feet in the batter s box before the pitch can be released. PITCHING ARC: 1. The pitching arc will be 6 feet to 15 feet. Page 11

12 2. Umpires will call any infraction of this rule at all times. The umpire will signal infractions physically and verbally (ILLEGAL). PITCHING ZONE: 1. The pitching zone is 50 feet to 55 feet back from the home plate and 2 feet wide. PITCHER/CATCHER: 1. A male pitcher to male catcher; female pitcher to female catcher; or any combination is allowed. STRIKE ZONE: 1. A strike shall be called when the ball comes in contact with any portion of the wooden mat, provided the pitch is legal or swung at by the batter. BATTER S BOX: 1. While a batter s box is not chalked, an intentional box is measured and MAY be enforced by the umpire: 4 feet forward 3 feet back 3 feet to each side Due to the recent updates from SPN, the mat is placed on top of the plate as shown. The wooden mat should cover the entire plate. Wooden Mat 2. When the ball is hit and lands on the mat, remains on the mat or rolls forward, it is considered a LIVE BALL. 3. When the ball is hit and lands on the mat and rolls to the side or back, it is a DEAD ball. BASE PATH: 1. The distance between all bases shall be 65 feet. 2. The distance from home plate to 2 nd base shall be 92 feet. Page 12

13 Please ensure you have a 100 ft. tape measure and are measuring out your bases accurately! COMMITMENT LINE: 1. The commitment line shall be drawn 20 feet from the top left hand corner of the home plate mat and perpendicular to the 3 rd base line. 2. Home plate plays shall be considered a force out and a tag need not be made. NO TAG IS TO BE MADE AT HOME! 3. If the runner has not passed the commitment line, he/she has the option of returning to 3 rd base. TIP: Use extra cones to mark the commitment line. HOME PLATE/SCORING LINE: 1. A safety line shall be drawn perpendicular to the 3 rd base line, from the top right hand corner of the PLATE straight across to the backstop. 2. The runner must cross the safety/scoring line before the ball is caught at home. 3. If the runner touches the mat they will be called out. 4. The catcher gets the entire mat at home as the plate is covered. TIP: Use extra cones to mark the safety line. LEAVING BASE (LEAD OFF): 1. A runner shall be called out for leaving the base (ACCIDENTALLY OR INTENTIONALLY) before the ball is hit. No anticipation! PINCH RUNNERS: 1. A team is allowed a maximum of 3 pinch runners per game. Page 13

14 WALKING A PLAYER: 1. With any 4 balls and 0 strike pitches to a male with a female batter following in the order, the male can proceed to 2 nd base and the female MUST bat. 2. On a walk that includes a strike, even with a female next in the batting order, the male only gets to go to 1 st base and the female MUST bat. BUNTING: 1. NO BUNTING ALLOWED! UMPIRES: Umpires are to be treated with respect! Teams and/or players WILL BE penalized accordingly in the result of a serious offence. Verbal and/or physical abuse is not acceptable and captains should advise their players as such. While OCSA is a recreational league, umpires and rules are in place for a reason and players are expected to act in a respectable manner. 1. Teams will have 1 (one) representative to conference directly with the umpire with ALL concerns or questions. This representative must be the player that attends the captains meeting at the plate prior to the start of the game. 2. Umpires are obligated to give 1 (one) verbal warning before an ejection if a serious offence occurs. Repeat offenders will be treated as follows following an issued verbal warning: 1 st offence ejected from the game. 2 nd offence ejected from the game with an additional game suspension 3 rd offence suspended from the league 3. Physical abuse of an umpire will result in a formal complaint being filed with the sanctioning body and the umpire association. The offending player MAY face further suspensions at the discretion of the sanctioning body and umpire association. Assaulting an umpire is serious offence which has serious consequences. 4. Any conflict occurring between umpires and/or players must be brought to the attention of the league, in writing, following the end of the game. Note: A game incident report is available for download on the website. Complaints may also be submitted by to any member of the Executive. Issues or concerns cannot be addressed unless they are received in writing. Page 14

15 If there are no umpires at your game, please contact the division co-ordinator as soon as possible. Teams will not be reimbursed the cost for the game as this money is redistributed to help cover other league costs. PREGNANCY: 1. OCSA will not be held liable for any female player participating in the league while pregnant! JEWELLERY: 1. Jewellery is allowed but must be covered by medical tape. It is recommended that loose jewellery is removed. 2. The umpires and Oil City Slo-pitch Association will not be held liable for any player injured due to wearing jewellery while playing. APPROVED BATS: 1. All official softball bats, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF: a. the Miken Ultra II, b. the Jak d Nemysis, c. the Jak d Blackout, d. and the Krankenstein, will be allowed by the league and MUST BE in good condition (i.e. no dents, stamps visible) and UNALTERED. 2. UMPIRES WILL DO A BAT CHECK PRIOR TO THE START OF EACH GAME illegal or damaged bats will not be allowed. 3. All stamps (including USSSA, ASA, NSA, ISF, or any combination thereof) are allowed. However, the league reserves the right to amend the list at any time. 4. Any bats deemed to be of concern should be brought to the attention of the league and will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. 5. Players caught using an illegal bat that is not approved for play shall receive a warning and the bat will be immediately removed from the game. If the player brings out the bat again in the same or future game, the player and the bat will be removed from the game and the player will be suspended for 8 (eight) games. Page 15

16 6. Players caught using an illegal bat that is not approved for play and that bat is involved in any loss or injury to another player will be treated as follows: a. The illegal bat will be immediately confiscated by the Umpire. b. The player caught using the illegal bat will be suspended for the remainder of the current season. c. If the player returns to the league following suspension (i.e. next season); and commits a second offence; the player will be suspended for life from the league. 7. Players involved in any loss or injury to another player may also be held liable for said loss or injury by the injured player. INSURANCE: 1. Insurance is provided to the league by the sanctioning organization approved by the Executive at the beginning of the season. 2. Copies of the team roster are provided to the sanctioning organizer and the insurance provider. 3. This is not a wage loss or income policy. In the case of any injury, the initial health care provider (i.e. AHC, work coverage) covers the player followed by any extended coverage you may have. League insurance is third party insurance coverage and only covers the player above and beyond the initial provider, extended coverage or in the case of the player having no insurance at all. 3. Teams MUST contact the league IMMEDIATELY in the case of an injury especially where the injured player receives immediate medical attention. ALCOHOL: 1. Under no circumstances shall there be alcohol on the diamonds or park area before, during or after the games. The league will discipline any player or umpire caught violating the rules set out by the City of Edmonton. Consumption of liquor is prohibited in public areas - this includes all city parks. (City of Edmonton Parks Operations) THIS LEAGUE IS NOT A BEER LEAGUE, WE FOLLOW THE CITY OF EDMONTON BYLAWS AND RESPECT THE PROPERTY WE ARE USING! Oil City Slo-pitch Association and its Executive are not liable for any loss or injury to any player during the season. Page 16