NEW YORK STATE SOFTBALL LEAGUERULES AND REGULATIONS 2011 The New York State Softball League will abide by The ASA Official Rules for Modified Fast-Pitch Softball except in where the following NYSSL rules apply. In addition, the Prudent Person Principle should be applied for circumstances that arise in which specific wording in our Bylaws is lacking. We should remember the spirit and intent of our league when resolving discrepancies. 1. GAME STARTING TIMES Games are to begin promptly at scheduled times. Game starting time is 6:15. A grace period of 15 minutes ( 6:30 ) will be allowed for a team to have enough players to field a team. When a team has enough players (8) to field a team, they must begin play immediately. Should the ninth player show up prior to the first batter for that team batting twice, the player will be added to the ninth spot of the team line-up. A team will be allowed to hold a spot in the lineup for an expected player, however, if that spot comes up to bat before the player arrives, it will be an automatic out. 2. MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS A team must have eight (8) players to begin a game. A team not having eight (8) players 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time will forfeit the game. 3. UNIFORMS Uniforms (matching shirt and caps) are encouraged, but not mandatory.
4. SPIKES/CLEATS No metal spikes or metal cleats are to be worn by any player. In all instances where a player is found to be wearing metal spikes or metal cleats, that player must change into other acceptable footwear in order to keep playing. 5. BATTING ORDER Up to 15 players may be placed in a batting order. The batting order will be fixed for the duration of the game. All teams should keep a scorebook. Umpires and opposing teams have the right to check the scorebook if there is a reasonable suspicion that a team batted out of order. Each team will be allowed to use one (1) designated hitter. The designated hitter will bat for one player who can only play in the field. Substitutions to the original batting order or for the player for whom there is a designated hitter can be made by a new player entering the game to permanently replace one of the original players in the batting order or the player for whom there is a designated hitter. After the beginning of the game, any substitution of a new player not in the original lineup must be offset by the removal of one of the players currently occupying a position in the batting order or for whom there is a designated hitter. This is the case even when there are less than the maximum 15 players. A player may reenter the game, but not until his replacement in the original spot in the order has batted. If for any reason whatsoever a player listed in the current lineup, and for whom there is not a substitute, must leave the game, each time this player would have come to bat will be recorded as an out. EXCEPTION:
Any team which must begin a game with only eight (8) players will be allowed, until the first batter in their lineup bats twice, to increase its batting order to a maximum of 15 players upon the arrival of an additional player( s ). In this instance, no automatic outs will be recorded. However, if a team has enough players to field and bat ten or more, then at least ten players must be included in the original batting order. Defensively, any of the up to 15 players included in the original batting order at the start of the game may be freely moved in and out of the field upon notification to the opposing manager. 6. COURTESY RUNNER With the opposing manager s approval, a courtesy runner will be allowed to run for a batter who has reached base. In most instances, this should be the last batter to make an out. The runner substituted for will then be allowed to remain in the game. Umpire notification is required and should be declared before the game. The objective of the courtesy runner is to insure safety and prevent injury and is not to be used to gain a base running advantage. 7. PITCHING The pitching rules for modified pitch softball, as described in the 2008 ASA rulebook,are in effect except for the following: The key components of the rule as far as this league is concerned are : A. The pitcher may not use a "windmill" or "slingshot" motion in delivering a pitch ; and B. The ball must not be outside the pitcher s wrist on the backward swing, at the top of the backswing, on the downward motion or during the complete delivery.
Overpowering or excessive speed is prohibited! If a team feels their opponents pitcher is using excessive speed, they should call time out and consult with the umpire and the other team s captain and ask the umpire to make a judgement on the legality of the pitch ( or pitches ) based on a strict interpretation of A and B above, as written in the ASA rulebook.otherwise, if speed is not an issue, strict interpretation of the ASA rule( s) is not necessary. If there are any question about a pitcher being "Overpowering" the umpire is to report his name to the Head Umpire (Jack Pulver), who will relay the name to the League Commissioner (Paul Califano). At that point, the Commissioner will poll the League Managers to get an opinion on the pitcher in question. If this is a new pitcher, the Executive Committee will get to one of the pitcher's games to view the pitcher, and make a decision. 8. PENALTY - ILLEGAL PITCH Upon identifying a pitch as illegal, the umpire will immediately state out loud "illegal pitch". The effect will be that a ball will be declared dead on the batter. The pitch will count as a ball and each runner will be awarded a base in accordance with ASA rules. The umpire will follow this procedure each time. If, in the opinion of the umpire, the pitcher is repeatedly trying to gain an advantage, then the umpire may choose to remove the pitcher from the pitching position for the remainder of the game. 9. WARM-UP PITCHES Pitchers starting the game or a relief pitcher will be allowed five warm-up pitches. At the beginning of all subsequent inning, three warm-up pitches will be allowed. 10. MERCY RULE
The game is ended at the point when either the home team is ahead by 15 runs in their half of the fifth or sixth inning or after the visiting team has completed their at bats in the fifth or sixth inning or the visiting team is ahead by 15 or more runs at the completion of five or six innings. The ASA rule applies here. 11. CATCHERS EQUIPMENT All catchers must wear a mask and a throat guard. 12. DROPPED THIRD STRIKE A batter may not advance to first base on a dropped third strike. However, runners may attempt to advance at their own risk. 13. INTENTIONAL WALK The pitcher is required to throw 4 balls unless there are no runners on base or in situation where the runners can t advance. 14. HIT BY A PITCHED BALL Batters may not advance to first base because they were hit by a pitched ball. If the pitch does hit a batter, the ball will be declared a dead ball and the umpire will call the ball a ball or a strike.
15. BASE STEALING Base stealing is allowed, with the exception of home plate, once the ball touches the ground. The runner may not try to advance if the catcher catches the pitch cleanly. A runner on third base may attempt to score on any attempted pickoff or play to another base. Runners may not advance on an errant throw back to the pitcher unless it is clear that a play is being made on a runner. The runner may not leave the base until: The ball touches the catcher; The ball reaches the spot where the catcher would normally assume his position at the start of the pitch; or The ball touches the ground, in either fair or foul territory, any time after the pitcher has taken his position on the pitchers rubber. If the runner leaves the base early, the pitch is a no pitch, the runner is called out and all other runners must return to the base they occupied prior to the pitch. 16. BUNTING No bunting is allowed. The offending player is called out and all other runners must return to the base they previously occupied prior to the pitch. 17. THROWING A BAT Players are encouraged not to intentionally throw the bat, for safety s sake. A reprimand or warning is up to the umpires discretion.
18. FIGHTING A player who is guilty of fighting (i.e. initiates physical contact or assault) will be ejected at the discretion of the umpire. He will also be suspended for 1 game. All instances of fighting will be reviewed by the Executive committee to determine if further action is necessary. Also, excessive abusive language is discouraged and could be subject to ejection. 19. EJECTION A player who has been ejected must immediately remove himself from the playing field including the dugout area. If an ejected player does not do so immediately, or continues to harass the umpire or be involved in inappropriate behavior, he may be ejected from the grounds. Noncompliance with this rule could result in a forfeited game imposed by the umpire. A player who is ejected by an umpire is subject to be suspended for 1 game, at the Executive Committees discretion. The Commissioner will receive a report of what happened by the Umpires, as well as a report of the manager of the team of the individual that was suspended. At that point, the Commissioner and the Executive Committee will decide if the offense warrants a suspension or not. 20. COLLISIONS AND FAKE TAGS Collisions on the base paths are to be avoided if possible. Fake tags should be avoided.
21. POSTPONED GAMES (WEATHER RELATED) Every effort will be made to play games at their scheduled times. Games may be postponed only upon agreement between the 2 team captains.the home team captain is responsible for informing Paul Califano or Mike Heath of any cancellations. Captains should decide by 4:00 and the home team is responsible for calling the umpires, Jeff Mitter @ 783-8737 or Pete Benson at 269-1293. In the event of possible rainouts (threatening conditions), both teams should come to the field prepared to play. Failure to do so could result in forfeit. Please note that the league Treasurer pays the umpires so no teams should hand over $ to the umps at a game. If an umpire fails to show for a game, please report it to the Commissioner or Treasurer ASAP. You have the option of postponing or playing and doing the umpiring for yourselves. 22. POSTPONED GAMES (NON-WEATHER RELATED) Scheduled games that conflict with agency-sponsored functions only (picnics, recognition dinners, etc.) may be rescheduled. Such games must be brought to the attention of the league commissioner as soon as possible and at least one full week prior to the originally scheduled date of the game. 23. RESCHEDULED GAMES Games that have been postponed (weather and non-weather related) should be rescheduled by the 2 teams involved in consultation with the league Commissioner. The commissioner will be in charge of the availability of playing fields, which will be updated on the schedule and results tracking sheet and distributed weekly to the teams.
24. FORFEITED GAMES Any team that forfeits three (3) games during one regular season will be expelled from the league for that season, except in extraordinary circumstances. The remaining games on that teams schedule will be counted as 7-0 victories for the scheduled opponents. 25. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT It is the home teams responsibility to provide bases, a pitching rubber, measuring device for the bases and pitching distances, foul line markers, and a new softball for each game. The league will provide each team with 8 new softballs prior to their first game. Each team is therefore responsible for having their own set of bases and helmets. If the home team fails to provide the required equipment, they forfeit the right to be the home team for that game. 26. GAME REPORTS Upon completion of each game, the home team manager is required to inform Paul Califano and /or Mike Heath by way of e-mail, the website or phone message, the score of the game. The results of games played and current standings will be posted on the league website. It is important that the scores are reported promptly and accurately since total runs and run differential are factors in a tie breaker scenario. Also, include the pitchers used when you report the score, so we can track eligibility for the playoffs.
27. SUSPENDED GAMES Suspended games will be completed as outlined by ASA rules. 28. GAME PROTESTS Regular season game protests follow the ASA rules with the exceptions of the following: A. A manager must notify the opposing manager of the protest prior to the end of the game; B. The commissioner (or, if the commissioner is not available, an executive committee member) must be notified of the protest by phone the next day; and C. A written protest must be sent to the commissioner and the opposing manager within one week( e-mail will suffice ). D. A $10 deposit must be included with the protest. The deposit will be returned if, and only if, the protest is successful. Upon receiving written notification of the protested game, the commissioner will decide whether he will rule on the protest or pass it on to the Executive Committee. If the commissioner's ruling on a protest is unsatisfactory to either team, they may request that the protest be reviewed by the Executive Committee. Playoff game protests, due to time constraints during the playoffs, need to be decided in a timely manner. Consequently, an Executive Committee meeting may not be practical. Therefore, the protest will be decided upon by the Commissioner and/or as many of the Executive Committee member(s) available.
29. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The executive committee will consist of 5 members including the Commissioner (Paul Califano Evil Empire), Treasurer (Mike Heath Dee Dee s), Scott Mocerine (Bondsmen), Brian Smith (Philly s 76ers), and Eric McShane (Paesan s). 30. PLAYOFFS The top 6 teams at the end of the regular season will make the playoffs. Teams will be seeded 1 thru 6 with the top 2 teams getting first round byes. The other 4 teams will play in the opening round, with the 3 seed playing the 6 seed and 4 playing 5. The winner of the 4 v 5 series will play the 1 seed, and the winner of the 3 v 6 series will play the 2 seed in the second round or semi-finals, best of three series. The 2 winners of the semi-final series will play in the championship series. There will be no receding during the playoffs. All series will be best 2 out of 3. The higher seeded team will be the home team in the first and third games of all series.one umpire will be provided for the first and second round series and 2 umpires for the finals. The final series must be completed within 10 days of the beginning of that series. PLAYOFFS / TEAM ROSTERS Each season all teams involved in the playoffs must submit to the league a roster of eligible team members by the start of the playoffs to the league Commissioner. The rosters will list all eligible players and the number of regular season games they participated in. There is no limit to the number of players on a teams roster. In order for a player to be eligible to participate in a league playoff game, a player must appear (at bat or in the field) in at least four (4) regular season league games during that season. Exceptions can be made for players who are or were team members and did not play 4 games due to injury, work situations, etc. Pitchers must pitch in a minimum of 4 games to be eligible. To be considered to be a game appearance, a pitcher must pitch 1 complete inning (3 outs). In other words, no ringers for the playoffs!
PLAYOFFS / TIE BREAKER 1993 ASA Playing Rules - Article 209 Rules of Championship Play (pp 235) - Section C. The following procedures will be used to break ties among teams in the same spot in the bracket. (standings) 1. Won - loss records (interpreted as Head-to-Head among teams tied) 2. If only two teams are tied, the winner of that game. 3. Ranked according to run differential (runs scored - runs allowed) 4. Ranked according to fewest runs allowed per game played 5. Ranked according to most runs scored 6. If a tie still exists, by a coin toss. 31. DUTY DAY All teams are required to provide a minimum of 1 player for a 2 to 3 hour work detail at the Colonie Elks prior to the beginning of the season. Scheduling of work details will be determined during spring meetings. 32. RETRIEVAL OF BALLS HIT OUT OF PARK The team of a player that hits a fair or foul ball out of the park must make a serious effort to retrieve the ball.
33. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CONTAINERS There is to be no consumption of alcoholic beverages by players during a game. After the game it is permissible on premises with the exception of Corrections, which does not allow alcoholic beverages. Players are cautioned to be mindful of this since a violation or incident involving the use of alcohol would certainly jeopardize our arrangement to use a particular field. Also, it is expected that each team will clean up any refuse they leave after a game at any of the fields we use. 34. BATS All bats are to be ASA approved. Managers are encouraged to check the bats of the opposing team to make sure illegal bats are not used during the game. 34. INTENTIONAL DROP Umpires will discuss the Intentional Drop with both Managers before the game begins. In a force out situation, if a pop-up is hit to an infielder, is deemed to be a routine play, and the fielder drops the ball intentionally, the umpire will call this. When the umpire calls this, the batter is out, and the runners are to return to the base they were on before the play.
35. Suspensions/Appeals A player may be suspended for any actions deemed inappropriate or unsportsmanlike. This includes belittling and berating an umpire, opposing manager, or opposing player. If a player is suspended, the player has until Noon on the following day to appeal his suspension the Executive Committee. At that point, the Executive Committee, minus the League Commissionor, will vote on whether to accept or deny the appeal. ANY PLAYER THAT IS SUSPENDED IS NOT PERMITTED AT ANY GAME IN WHICH THEY ARE SERVING A SUSPENSION. LEAGUE FEES League fees must be paid in full by each team prior to playing their first game unless an arrangement is made with the league treasurer. Failure to do so would result in a forfeit.