Citrus County Parks and Recreation Presents Men s Softball Rules. Citrus County Parks and Recreation. Park Rules

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1 Citrus County Parks and Recreation Presents 2010 Men s Softball Rules Citrus County Parks and Recreation Park Rules 1. No pets allowed in the Park. Please inform your fans of this rule before they bring the animal to the park. 2. Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Substances: No person shall possess, offer for sale or consume any alcoholic beverage or illegal substance in any Park. Only the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners may authorize possession, sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages within any Park. a. Any player or coach using drugs or alcohol during a game will be: i. 1 st offense: Minimum 3 game suspension ii. 2 nd offense: Suspension for the remainder of the season iii. Parks and Recreation reserves the right to invoke stiffer penalties depending on infraction. 3. Littering, Refuse and Pollution: No person shall bring refuse of any sort to be left or deposited in any Park. Those materials which become refuse consequential to use within the Park must be placed in the proper receptacles provided for refuse or removed from the Park by the User. a. Teams are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and their fans. 4. Warm up will be allowed only in designated areas. NO PEPPER GAMES OR HITTING BALLS INTO THE FENCE WILL BE ALLOWED. 5. Always check the score booth door for schedule changes, scores, and miscellaneous info. 1

2 Citrus County Parks and Recreation Presents 2010 Men s Softball Rules All USSSA rules will be in effect except when local rules supersede them. At no time can teams reach an agreement among themselves to exclude a league rule or county rule A. Teams Guidelines and Procedures 1. Any organized team with a manager to represent it may enter a team by satisfying the entrance requirements, provided space is available. 2. All entrance requirements must be met, registration, league fees, waivers and rosters fully completed and submitted in a timely fashion. For every game day a teams league fee is late it will result in an automatic forfeit. After two forfeits caused by failure to pay league fees, the team at fault will be dismissed from the league. Their registration fee will not be reimbursed, and Parks and Recreation will revise the schedule. 3. Team Manager/Coach: A team s official representative is the Manager/Coach; if the Manager/Coach is not able to be present at a game or meeting he may designate an alternate. 4. Spectators: Each team is responsible for the behavior of its fans. The team manager and the team captains will constantly strive to keep the fans from being unruly, verbally and/or behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner. B. Participants 1. All Players must be 18 years of age or older. Proof of age may be required. No one under 18 will be permitted to play. 2. Men may not transfer to another team after June 28, Each player s name must be on the team roster, furnished by Parks and Recreation. 4. Manager/Coach is responsible for: a. Having their team observe USSSA and local rules. b. Submitting the starting line-up to the opposing team and park representative i. Parks and Recreation will supply line-up sheets. They can be found on the score booth door. c. Keeping score if they are home team. (Both teams should keep a book in case an argument should arise) 2

3 d. The only participant allowed to communicate with the officials and park representative. e. Completing and handing in the roster on time f. The conduct of their players and spectators g. Adhering to the participation/eligibility requirements for each team member by signing the official roster and the official starting line-ups for each game. C. Roster 1. Each team s roster must be received by the Parks and Recreation Division prior to the first game of the season. 2. Each player s name must be on the team roster, furnished by the Parks and Recreation. All players must sign the release and waiver accurately and completely in order to be eligible to play. 3. If at any time an ineligible player is discovered in a game, that game will result in a forfeit. 4. Roster Information: includes: each players name, address, phone number, date of birth and signature. This information is for contact purposes. Fill this out as legibly and completely as possible. 5. Rosters limited to a maximum of 25 players. A team may carry no more than 25 players on its roster at ANY time. 6. Teams may add or drop players; however the rosters will be frozen on July 5, Last day to add players in June 28, Every player is committed to the team that the players name appears on. 7. All new additions to the roster need to be called in. Inform Jennifer Worthington of any changes. 8. Teams must keep their same roster for the playoffs D. Hardships 1. If a team losses a player due to unforeseen circumstance i.e./ moved, injured etc. contact Parks and Recreation office in written form, a minimum of 24 hours prior to your next game. Parks and Recreation will make the final decision. The hardship form is located in the back of the rules on page Only ONE (1) hardship per season. 3. Hardships will be permitted for playoffs as long as the proper guidelines and procedures have been made. Hardships will not be accepted 10 3

4 minutes before your game starts. Please see the hardship form on page 12. E. Equipment and Uniforms 1. Bats: 2. Balls: a. Each team will supply their team with their own bats. b. Only USSSA approved bats can be used. c. Any bat that s cracked or tempered with will be deemed unplayable by the officials. a. Only USSSA approved balls will be used b. Parks and Recreation will supply the balls. 3. Uniforms: 4. Shoes: 5. Masks: a. Players are not required to wear uniforms. a. Each player must wear closed toed athletic shoes. b. Metal spikes are not allowed. Cleats made of rubber or plastic are allowed. a. To prevent injury it is strongly recommended that all protective equipment be worn. b. It is the catcher and pitchers discretion to wear a safety mask. c. Parks and Recreation will not supply safety gear in apprehension of faulty equipment. F. Schedules a. All schedules will be the responsibility of Citrus County Parks and Recreation b. All teams designated to the right on the league schedule are home team. 4

5 G. The League H. Umpires c. Parks and Recreation will be responsible for rescheduling games that are rained out or postponed. It is the responsibility of the Manager/Coach to find out when the game is to be played. d. The official league schedule may be subject to change due to change of field, field lighting, loss of team etc. a. League Director: Recreation Program Specialist Jennifer Worthington and or any person(s) representing the county. b. The league director is the sole authority on league matters. c. The league director and/or county representative is not permitted to officiate or override any calls made by the umpires. 1. Authority: the umpires have authority over any and all aspects of a game. An umpire s authority begins 15 minutes before the start of a game and 15 minutes after the completion of the game. 2. Jurisdiction: an umpire has jurisdiction in controlling player and spectator conduct and ensuring the good spirit of the game. Therefore, the official may eject a player, a non-playing coach or manager, or a spectator for constant or deliberate violations of the rules, indecent or abusive language, any unsportsmanlike behavior, or gross unsportsmanlike conduct. a. An ejected player must leave the field in the given time declared by the umpire and continue to leave the park. b. An ejected non-playing coach or manager and/or any spectator must leave the facility in the given time declared by the umpire. c. The ejected individual has to leave the field in the time declared by the umpire or a forfeit will be charged against that individual s team. 3. Accountability: an umpire is never obligated to discuss a rule interpretation of a specific game situation with anyone other than the team manager/coach. I. Rules of Conduct All players, managers, and coaches should make themselves knowledgeable on USSSA rules of conduct. Parks and Recreation will supply a copy of USSSA rules upon request. All conduct problems will be reviewed and acted on by Parks and Recreation. All decisions will be final. 5

6 1. Player Ejection: if a player is ejected from a game, that player shall be classified as an ineligible player until the following criteria has been met: a. Attend the next game i. If he/she cannot make the next playable game their name will remain on the ejection list and until they attend their next playable game; Parks and Recreation will keep them on the player ejection list. b. Report his presence to the Parks and Recreation representatives and officials before the game. c. Sit on the bench, and not participate in any manner. d. Stay for the entire game. e. If the severity of the situation is extreme, the player may be barred from participating in this league and/or any other event/facility sponsored by Citrus County Parks and Recreation. f. A player ejected from three (3) games during the league will be suspended from the rest of the season. g. Any player or Manager/Coach that throws a ball or bat at, strikes, or verbally abuses another player, umpire, spectator or Manager/Coach will be immediately suspended from play for the remainder of the season. Would circumstances warrant it, Parks and Recreation reserves the right to invoke stiffer penalties. 2. Obstruction: a. No excessive offensive contact is to occur during defensive plays; in other words slide, get out of the way, or yield to the out. This rule applies to all bases and home plate. If the runner does not comply with this rule an automatic out will be called. If this rule is violated, the offending players will be ejected from the game. It is up to the judgment of the umpire. b. No excessive defensive contact is to occur during a play; a defensive player must yield the base or base path if he does or does not have the ball or a potential play on a runner. 3. Warm-ups: a. Warming up will be allowed only in designated areas. b. NO PEPPER GAMES OR HITTING BALLS INTO THE FENCE WILL BE ALLOWED. 4. Dugout Rules: 6

7 J. Protests a. No one under 16 is allowed in dugouts. b. NO SMOKING IN DUGOUTS 1. All protests must follow these guidelines: a. At the time of the occurrence, the Manager must notify the official of his intent to protest the point or play in question. Any protests announced after the fact will be dismissed. b. Be submitted in a legible writing, accompanied with a $20.00 cash protest fee, and given to the Parks and Recreation office by 5:00 pm the next working day after the protest has been made on the playing field. c. Judgment calls may not be protested. 2. The protest letter must contain the following: a. Date, time and place of game. b. Names of teams, player, and officials. c. Rules and section of the official local rules under which the protest was made. d. Conditions surrounding the decisions. e. Any other pertinent facts concerning the protest. f. A protest board will be established which will rule on all protests and notify the involved parties of its decision within 7 days of receiving all necessary documentation. g. The protest fee will be refunded if the protest is upheld. Any protest fees, that the protest was not upheld, will be channeled into league fees. A. Game Basics Rules and Regulations 1. Playing time: a. There will be a 10 minute grace period for the first game only. For all other games, game time is forfeit time, and will be determined by the Referee s watch. When observing the 10-minute grace period, the 7

8 moment you have 9 eligible players, play must begin with the one hour 10 minute game limit beginning at the moment. The 10 th player can be added during any part of the game. Second and third games do not have a grace period. b. A one hour 10 minute time limit will be in effect for each game unless the game is tied. In the event of a tie, play will continue until a winner is decided. No game shall start after 10:00 p.m. If the inning is in progress it will proceed until finished. c. The time limit also applies to games not reaching the third inning. 2. Rainouts: a. Rain outs will be determined by Parks and Recreation only. Parks and Recreation will make every effort to call teams a half hour before their first game (6:00 p.m. and no sooner) due to inclement weather and field conditions. b. If the first game is rained out, all other games scheduled for that date are also rained out due to scheduling purposes. NOTE: If a game is stopped due to rain and/or lightning, players should seek shelter in their cars. c. Make-ups for rain outs will be added to the end of the schedule before the playoffs. Please pay attention to the score booth door for changes and updates. d. If the game is called due to weather before the third (3rd) inning the game will be rescheduled. If the game is called after the third (3 rd ) inning it is considered a regulation game. 3. Batting: a. A 1 strike and 1 ball count will be used. This is due to our time limit. 4. Home Runs: a. There are unlimited home runs. b. All players on base and at bat are required to run all bases after a home run. 5. Run Rule: a. 20 after 3 innings and 12 after 5 innings 6. Scorekeeper: 8

9 7. Pitchers: 8. Players: a. Home team will be the official scorekeeper. Please furnish your own scorekeeper (even if you are the visiting team). If you do not provide a scorekeeper, do not argue with the team or person who is volunteering to keep score for your game. IT IS THE COACH S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP SCORE OR FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN. b. It is recommended that both teams keep score incase a problem should arise. c. Slash marks is not a proper form of score keeping. Parks and Recreation will side with a book keeper over slash marks if any problems may arise. Even if the home team uses slash marks. a. The middle is open. b. To prevent injury it is strongly recommended that all protective equipment be worn. a. A team May field a minimum of 9 players b. You can bat up to 12 players. Drop to 9 with an out being recorded for each one of those players unless you have a substitute(s). c. Only the team manager/coach may communicate with the official and park representative during problems. d. When a play is at any base all participants are to slide or get out of the way of play. If the runner fails to do so an automatic out will be counted. We encourage all catchers to play out in the front of the plate. Judgment is at the discretion of the home plate umpire. 9. Player Position: c. Positions on the Field: (1) Pitcher, (2) Catcher, (3) First Baseman, (4) Second Basemen, (5) Third Basemen, (6) Shortstop, (7) Left Fielder, (8) Center Fielder, (9) Right Fielder, (10) Short Fielder (usually Left Center) and may have an (11) Additional Hitter (12) Additional Hitter d. Field positions can change. Players do not have to keep their same position while playing defense. 10. Medical Runner a. When a medical runner is used the Coach/Manager must inform the umpire prior to the start of the game unless the injury occurs during the game. 9

10 b. Teams are allowed to enter two medical runners per game. c. The runner for your medical runner will be the last batted out. 11. Substitutions: a. You can bat up to 12 players. Drop to 9 with an out being recorded for each one of those players unless you have a substitute(s). 12. Forfeits: 13. Ties: a. If a team forfeits out of the league, their players will be eligible for a one time draft. The players will be put on a draft list and chosen by the remaining managers. The last place team, as of the date the forfeiting team officially drops or is dropped from the league, gets first pick, and so on. Players can only be chosen once. Rosters will open once for the draft. Only the players from the forfeiting team will be allowed to be added to your roster, however, if you have reached your roster limit of 25 players you cannot pick more players. b. In the event of a forfeit, the team not at fault may use the field until the next game is to be played. The non-forfeiting team, at their discretion, may play the forfeiting team. Officials are not required to officiate. If we are notified in advance, Parks and Recreation will make every effort to contact the opposing team prior to the scheduled game time. Call our office at , or Jennifer Worthington at , c. If both teams are unable to field 9 eligible players a double forfeit will be declared. d. In the event that a team drops from the league after playing for half the season; All games which that team has played will remain as official games. The remaining games will be counted as forfeits. The schedule will be revised to better suit time. i.e. if the forfeit is the 7:30 game the 8:30 game will be moved down to make a more effective use of the field. a. In the event that two (2) teams end up tied for a place, head to head wins and losses will be tallied up between the two teams to determine the winner. If the head to head points are equal there will be a playoff to determine the winner; i.e. Team A and Team B are tied. But head to head wins shows team A won against team B twice (this is a round robin league and you play everyone twice) So, Team A wins; i.e. Team A and Team B are tied. They both lost to each other once, they have 10

11 14. Playoffs: equal head to head points. We will have a playoff to determine the winner. a. At the end of the season there will be a single elimination playoff with the top 4 teams. b. Rosters will be closed for the playoffs. c. Once your team is placed in the playoffs league play no longer has anything to do with the playoff. d. In order to qualify for the playoffs all participants must be on the roster. 15. Awards: a. Trophies will be awarded to the top three teams in the season. b. In the playoffs the championship winner will receive t-shirts. 16. Rules of Conduct: a. All players, managers and coaches should make themselves knowledgeable on USSSA rules of conduct. b. If a player is ejected from a game, that player shall be classified as an ineligible player until the following criteria have been met: a. Attend the next game. b. Report his/her presence to the official & to Parks and Recreation before the game. c. Sit on the sidelines and not participate in the game in any manner. c. Any player or Manager/Coach that strikes, or verbally abuses another player, official, spectator or other Manager/Coach will be immediately suspended from play for the remainder of the season. Should circumstances warrant it, the Parks and Recreation Section reserve the right to invoke stiffer penalties. d. No excessive offensive contact is to occur during defensive plays. NOTE: All conduct problems will be reviewed and acted on by the Parks and Recreation Section. All decisions will be final. 11

12 Roster Hardship Rule 2010 Men s Fall Softball Request for Roster Hardship Any team manager may add a player or players to their roster until the designated date for closed rosters for the league. Rosters will close for men on June 28, 2010, and no male players will be added after the roster deadline unless a hardship is declared. A hardship must be declared in writing by the team manager 24 hours prior to the next scheduled league game. A written request must be submitted to the league coordinator or the Parks and Recreation office. Hardships may be declared for player loss due to injury, relocation and/or other relevant circumstances of a roster player. A hardship request will be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation staff and granted on the basis of merit. Request for Roster Hardship REASON FOR REQUEST PLAYER(S) to be REMOVED PLAYER(S) to be ADDED Managers Signature Date Parks and Recreation Staff 12