HILLS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION By-Laws

HILLS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION By-Laws Contents 1. Governance... 2 2. Competition and Fixtures... 2 2.1 Competition Format... 2 2.2 Registrations... 3 2.3 Player Grading... 3 2.4 Playing Times... 3 2.5 Game Conditions... 4 2.6 Cancellation of Games... 5 3. Scoring... 5 3.1 Scorers... 5 4. Uniforms... 6 4.1 Requirements... 6 5. Umpiring... 6 5.1 Umpiring Procedures... 6 6. Permits and clearances... 7 7. Penalties and fines Annex A - Penalties and Fines... 7

1. Governance These By-Laws are in addition to and subject to the Hills Softball Association Inc Constitution and Rules. Should the provisions of these documents be at variance, the Constitution shall be taken as correct. 2. Competition and Fixtures 2.1 Competition Format 2.1.1 Fixtures will be conducted in the following grades: Seniors A, B & C Grade Women Div 1 & Div 2 Men Juniors U15 Mixed or single sex U17 Girls and U17 Boys Under 13 mixed or single sex T-Ball mixed or single sex Any other grade as may be required which will be determined by the registrations received at the beginning of each season. 2.1.2 Where possible the higher grades i.e.: A Grade Women and Division 1 Men shall have more teams than the lower grades, with even number of teams where possible. 2.1.3 In Junior competitions, age eligibility for registration shall be: Under 17 - players under 17 as at 31 st December Under 15 - players under 15 as at 31 st December Under 13 - players under 13 as at 31 st December T-Ball - players over 5 prior to their first game and under 10 as at 31 st December 2.1.4 The pitching distances to be used for the approved competitions are: Men Div 1 & Div 2-46 feet or 14.02 metres Under 17-46 feet or 14.02 metres Under 15-43 feet or 13.11 metres Women A Grade - 43 feet or 13.11 metres B and C Grade - 40 feet or 12.19 metres Under 17-40 feet or 12.19 metres Under 15-40 feet or 12.19 metres Under 13 mixed - 35 feet or 10.67 metres 2.1.5 Base path distances for competitions are: T-Ball - 50 feet or 15.24 metres All Others - 60 feet or 18.29 metres 2.1.6 Ball size T-Ball - 9 inch or 22.86 cm soft ball Under 13 mixed Under 15 mixed - 11 inch or 27.94 cm ASF approved leather ball Yellow in colour. All other grades - 12 inch or 30.48 cm ASF approved leather ball Page 2 of 9

Yellow in colour. 2.2 Registrations 2.2.1 Players must have played three (3) scheduled fixture games with their registered club team on at least two (2) separate days to be eligible for the finals series. 2.2.2 A player shall not be permitted to be registered in a team where there is less than three (3) scheduled fixture games remaining before the final series. 2.2.3 Senior and Junior competitions are not considered to be separate competitions and as such an eligible junior filling in for a senior team must have played three (3) games for that Club in any division in to play in the finals series. 2.3 Player Grading 2.3.1 If a player plays for multiple Clubs in different grades they must qualify for each club by having played three (3) scheduled fixture games for each of those clubs in order to play in the finals series. This does not exempt a player from rule 2.3.5. 2.3.2 Under 13 and T-Ball players are not permitted to fill-in in any senior grades. A player may fill-in for a team two (2) age groups higher than their registered club team. 2.3.3 Junior players from Under 15 and Under 17 competitions may play in a senior competition if: They have written parental consent They are at least 13 years of age 2.3.4 Specific individual circumstances may be looked at as they arise by the governing Executive Committee taking into account the principles outlined in the Softball Australia Junior Sports Policy. 2.3.5 Before the fifth-to-last week of each particular Senior Grade in the minor round of competition, a player may play in any grade. The fifth-to-last week decides the player s placement in a grade. The player may not then play in a lower grade OR in another team in the same grade. 2.3.6 After the period detailed in 2.3.5 a lower grade player may be brought to prevent a forfeit in a higher grade, this player may then return to their normal grade without penalty. A higher grade player may play in a lower grade in order to prevent a forfeit, but that player may not play in a battery position (pitcher, catcher or shortstop). Only sufficient players of a higher grade can be brought into a lower grade to prevent a forfeit (to make a team of maximum seven (7) players as per rule 2.5.2 up to a limit of three (3) higher grade players in total in any lower grade game. When/if a regular player enters the game, the replacement player(s) used to prevent the forfeit must leave the game. 2.3.7 When a club has more than one team in any grade, once a player has played five (5) games in one (1) team, they may not then play in any other team in that grade, unless to prevent a forfeit 2.4 Playing Times 2.4.1 Games shall be timed as follows during the normal home and away rounds: T-Ball - One (1) hour from official starting time Junior Grades - One and a quarter hours (1 1/4) from official start time or seven (7) completed innings Senior Grades - C grade one and a quarter hours ( 1 ¼ ) or (7) completed innings whichever comes first Page 3 of 9

Div 1&2, A&B grades Seven (7) completed innings or one and a half Hours (1 ½) from Official start time whichever comes first 2.4.2 In A Grade Women and Div 1 Men s competitions, extra time will be played to complete an uneven innings, if a result is possible by the team second at bat, having or completing their turn at bat. IMMEDIATELY the second team at bat has passed the score of the first team at bat the game is called. 2.4.3 No new innings will commence in any GRADE, with less than five (5) minutes of playing time remaining. 2.4.4 No additional time will be permitted to compensate for interruptions due to weather or injury. 2.4.5 In the event that competitions are combined due to lack of team nominations the maximum time allowed for play is one and a half (1 ½) hours in senior competition. This does not replace 2.4.2 in the event of uneven innings. 2.4.6 During Finals the games will be timed as follows: 2.5 Game Conditions A. Grade women s and Div 1 Men s - Games are seven (7) innings or a result is known. B Grade women s and Div 2 men s games will be one and a half (1 1/2) with time on to equalise the innings if required. C Grade and under 15 male/female, under 17 female/male competitions Under 13 mixed - will play one and a quarter (1 1/4) with time on to equalise the innings or seven (7) innings, whichever comes first. 2.5.1 In all grades the First Named Team shall occupy 1 st Base Bench, and shall be 1 st Team at Bat. 2.5.2 A team may start, or continue, a game with a minimum of seven (7) players. In senior grades, the first time a blank appears in the batting line up it shall be deemed as an out with no further penalty. There will be no automatic out in junior grades when starting with less than nine players but where automatic outs are as a result of an incident in the game, as per Softball rules, then those rules shall apply. Players arriving late may enter the game when their names have been entered into both score books, the Plate Umpire has been notified and the ball is dead. All starting players must be entered onto the score card. Additional players must be entered onto the score card only when they enter the game. 2.5.3 A player is out if he/she throws the bat in a manner considered liable to endanger any person or player. 2.5.4 Consumption of alcohol and smoking are prohibited on all Bench and Playing Field areas. 2.5.5 Teams wishing to forfeit prior to game day must notify the opposing club Secretary or Contact Person, the Recording Officer and the club rostered to umpire by 8:00 pm on the previous day by telephone or text message. Clubs forfeiting late will incur a penalty. 2.5.6 Teams not taking the diamond within five (5) minutes of the Official Starting Time shall be deemed to have forfeited. If waiting for a player to come from another game to prevent a forfeit the start time may be delayed by a maximum of 15 minutes, but no extra playing time will be allowed. If waiting for an umpire there will be no forfeit, however the club rostered to umpire will incur a penalty. Page 4 of 9

2.5.7 The team receiving the forfeit may complete and submit the Score Card for recording purposes. A forfeit counts as a game if the Score Card is submitted and is recorded as a 7 nil win. 2.5.8 A team that forfeits more than three (3) consecutive games may lose the right to participate in further matches. In the event a team is required to withdraw during the season they will incur a fine. 2.5.9 Clubs forfeiting games must forfeit lower grade teams first and back fill higher grade teams, e.g. an A grade must be played in lieu of a B grade game and so forth. 2.5.10 During both minor and finals matches; the number of scored runs is limited to the following. Seniors Juniors 10 runs per innings per team Maximum 7 runs per innings per team Maximum 2.5.11 In all U13 matches no one player may play pitcher or catcher position in more than two full or part innings. It is not allowed that these players swap positions, a new full or part battery must be chosen. 2.6 Cancellation of Games 3. Scoring 2.6.1 Matches may be abandoned due to inclement or hot weather. Cancellation of matches will be at the discretion of the Executive Committee. If an entire round is abandoned it will not be replayed. 2.6.2 If a partially completed game is abandoned before the completion of two thirds (2/3) of the scheduled playing time :( or five innings) Fifty (50) minutes for games with a duration of 1 ¼ hours. Sixty (60) minutes for games with a duration of 1 ½ hours. Or if the team second at bat has not passed or equalled the score of the first team at bat in the uneven innings, the whole game shall be replayed. If a game is abandoned after this time the game is legal. 2.6.3 Matches must be replayed before the start of the finals round, at a time directed by the Executive Committee. 2.6.4 Cancellation of games due to hot weather will be in accordance with the Hot Weather Policy. Simply, if the forecast temperature for the Mt Barker area is advised as 38 o C or above on the previous days ABC News, games will not be played. The Executive Committee will notify Club Secretaries. 3.1 Scorers 3.1.1 Each team must supply a Scorer unless an official scorer is appointed by the Association. Score Books and Official Score Cards must be filled in with player names and positions prior to the start of the game and be submitted to the Plate Umpire. 3.1.2 Score Card scores shall be filled in at the end of the game before the card is signed by the scorers. Cards must be placed in the Recording Officer s Box within half (1/2) an hour of completion of the last game of the day by the plate umpire. A balanced write up on the game in the designated format and submitted to the Association via email by 11 am the following day by the winning team. 3.1.3 Clubs shall make Score Books available to the Executive upon request. Page 5 of 9

4. Uniforms 4.1 Requirements 5. Umpiring 4.1.1 After the fifth match of the season all players must wear the nominated uniform of the team and club for which they are playing. Caps must be of club colours. 4.1.2 All junior players must wear a hat whilst playing and short-sleeved playing top or undershirt in accordance with Sun Smart Policy. 4.1.3 After five (5) weeks players not in correct uniform for that team, will be reported on the official score card, by the Plate Umpire. 4.1.4 Clubs may apply for a permit for players to wear clothing different to the registered uniform, if waiting on their uniform. Clothing worn during the game must be as close as possible to team colours. 4.1.5 Metal cleats may only be used in Div 1 Men and A Grade Women. 5.1 Umpiring Procedures 5.1.1 All Clubs are required to meet the umpiring commitments designated by the Association which is three (3) umpires per game. In all grades except Div. 1 men and A grade women two Umpires only are required when both Umpires are accredited to level 1or above. U. 13 grade games require only a designated plate umpire, the participating teams are to supply base umpires who are to officiate on the opposite side to their team bench and are required to wear the clothing as designated in rule 5.1.2 5.1.2 It is preferable that umpires are qualified and are dressed in the Umpiring uniform of dark blue pants and pale blue shirt and that Green Shirt umpires are wearing the appropriate green top. If not a qualified or qualifying umpire they are to wear either yellow or orange hi viz vests or shirts. 5.1.3 All Plate Umpires must wear: Face mask with throat protector Chest protector Leg guards All junior umpires must also wear a helmet. 5.1.4 At the commencement of each game the Plate Umpire shall advise team representatives of relevant By-Laws, game duration and ground rules and ensure that score cards are correctly filled out, the start of the game may be delayed by the Plate Umpire if the score card is not completed. 5.1.5 Plate umpires should consult with scorers between innings to ensure that their scores tally and ask that they consult in incidences where there may be a discrepancy. 5.1.6 Should an umpire, or umpires, have cause to eject or remove a player or official of a Club from a game for a breach of the Association s Code of Conduct or for a violation of a playing rule which calls for the ejection or removal, the reporting umpire shall: Immediately upon completion of the game, notify the Association Umpiring Coordinator of such action The Umpiring Coordinator shall then convene a tribunal of independent persons Who shall consider evidence from all parties involved? 5.1.7 No player, coach or club official may approach a Green Shirt Umpire at any time, they may approach the Green Shirt Umpires mentor, but only on rulings, not on Page 6 of 9

judgement calls. 6. Permits and Clearances 6.1. Permits and clearances will only be refused for financial reasons except where a player has not participated in any Softball role for a period of seven (7) seasons from the second calendar year of the last season played. E.g. if the last season played was 1999/2000 then they are not exempt until the 2008/2009 season. 6.2. All permits and clearances must be lodged as per Softball Australia guidelines and it is the responsibility of the Club lodging the permit or clearance to ensure the relevant Association(s) is notified. 6.3. A team may play an invited or marquee player from an interstate Association only, in two games only, without penalty. 7. Penalties and Fines The Executive Committee shall have authority to determine the Schedule of Fines and Penalties payable by all Classes of Membership, players and officials who participate in softball under the auspices of the Association. The Schedule of Fines and Penalties is attached as Annex a to the Association s By-Laws. Any rules not covered under the Association Bi-laws then refer to the Australian Softball Rules. Annex A - Penalties and Fines The penalties and fines for a breach or violation of the Hills Association By-Laws are outlined below. By-Law 1. Clubs playing ineligible players as per the following By-Laws: Page 7 of 9

2.1.3 2.2 (in total) 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.3.6 2.3.7 2.3.1 2.3.5 2.5.11 Will if: The winning team - forfeit the game and a 40.00 fine The losing team - be fined $40.00 2. Teams or individuals in breach of 2.5.5 Smoking or consumption of alcohol. Will if: A player A spectator - be removed or ejected from the game - asked to leave the area 3. Teams forfeiting games as per: 2.5.5 2.5.6. 2.5.7 - be fined $30.00 2.5.9 - be fined $100.00 and no reimbursement of team fees 4. Teams in breach of 3.1.2 Score cards. Couriers write up. - be fined $40.00 5. Clubs in breach of 4.1 Uniform Requirements $30.00 After 3 rd offence: The winning team - forfeit the game $50.00 The losing team - be fined $50.00 6. Umpires arriving late for games as per 2.5.7 Later than 5 minutes - be fined $20.00 per umpire Later than 15 minutes - will be deemed as missing will count as an offence as paragraph 7. 7. Failure to fulfil umpiring commitments as per 5.1.1 will incur the following: 1 st Offence - $40.00 per missing umpire 2 nd Offence - $40.00 per missing umpire 3 rd Offence - $50.00 per missing umpire 4 th offence and onwards - $60.00 Each individual game should be considered one offence. Example: If two (2) umpires are missing from the same game these are two offences. If one (1) umpire is missing from two (2) separate games that is two (2) offences. 8. For each further breach of 5.1.1 the Club will: be fined a nominal fee of $20.00per umpire Have two (2) competition points deducted from each team that the Club has registered with the Association. Breaches of rule 5.1.4 $20 for the home teams Club Breaches of rule 5.1.6 will be as per point 7. 1 st offence $40.00 2 nd offence $40.00 Any further offences by the same person will necessitate the removal of the offender from Softball for duration as decided by the Executive Committee. Page 8 of 9

9. Breach of rules 6.1 and 6.2 Clubs to be fined $40 per offence. 10. Teams practicing on diamond infields. $100 per offence Page 9 of 9