GREATER LOS ANGELES SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION GLASA WOMEN S DIVISION 2009 SUMMER PLAYING RULES Article One PLAYING PROCEDURES 1.01 Schedule A complete schedule of all League games will be distributed to all team managers at least one (1) week prior to the start of League play. The schedule will list the date, time, and place of each League game. The home team is the second team named for each game (e.g. "ALPHA vs. BAKER", BAKER is the home team). The home team of the first scheduled game will be responsible for lining the field. If they are not able to line the field, the home team must contact the designated field representative at least ONE hour prior to scheduled game time. The designated field representative will be responsible to make sure the field is lined prior to scheduled game time. If the home team does not line the field, they will be responsible for the umpire fees for both teams. The schedule will list a field hotline phone number. If the City of Glendale and/or the Executive Board determine the fields are not playable, the hotline will be updated. In some cases, if time permits, the team manager will be contacted if the scheduled games cannot be played. The field hotline is maintained by the City of Glendale. If you are unsure, please check hotline to confirm field conditions. 1.02 Forfeits (a) (b) Scheduled game time plus ten (10) minutes is forfeit time. Any team not able to field nine (9) players by the scheduled starting time of their game shall forfeit. In the event that the previous game runs overtime, then the start of the grace time shall be assumed to be the time at which the previous game ends. A forfeited game shall be scored as 7-0 in favor of the team not at fault. A double-forfeit game shall be scored 0-0 and considered a loss for both teams. Any upper division team forfeiting more than 30% of scheduled games to lower division teams during the Summer season may not be granted the berth to the ASANA World Series for that given year. Any lower division team forfeiting to an upper division team during the Summer season will have the loss counted in their respective standings. 1.03 Postponements In the event a game is postponed during the Summer season of play, the game will be rescheduled. The schedule for other games will not be affected. (This may entail the use of doubleheaders and/or other days or fields.) This decision will be left to the discretion of the Executive Board. 1.04 Time Limit For League play, a time limit will be in effect. The time limit will be set and ratified with the League schedule. Game time is schedule time or as announced by Umpire. No new inning shall begin after 55 minutes of play. Games are 60 minutes in length. A new inning shall not start after this time limit. The home plate umpire will be the official timekeeper. There is a 10-minute grace period, which is inclusive of scheduled game time. Any time remaining after seven (7) innings may be used to break tie games. 1.05 Run Ahead Rule For League play, a 10 run rule will be in effect after 5 innings, 15 runs after 4 innings, and 20 runs after 3 innings. Should a team be ahead by 10 or more runs at the end of the fifth inning (4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead); 15 runs at the end of the fourth inning (3 ½ innings); or 20 runs at the end of the third inning (2 ½ innings) or after 55 minutes of play, whichever comes first, the game shall end and be considered a complete game. If there is a question regarding this rule, refer to current ASA guidelines. 1.06 Cleanup The two teams scheduled to play the last game of each day shall be responsible for cleanup of the field after the conclusion of each day's play.
1.07 Equipment Required (a) (b) (c) 1.08 Umpire Fees Each team must provide its own bats, warm-up balls, and other individual equipment. The League shall provide a new League approved softball at the start of each game. The Visiting team shall provide a League-approved softball in good condition at the start of each game. Bases shall be supplied by the field complex or by the Umpire. The bat barrel shall be free of audible rattles when shaken. The bat barrel shall not have signs of excessive wear. Each team manager is required to pay one-half (1/2) the umpire fee, as determined prior to the start of League play, at the beginning of each game. If the game is a forfeit, the team at fault must pay the entire umpire fee. A forfeiting team is encouraged to pay the umpire all of the umpire fees at the field. The forfeiting team must pay any umpire fees prior to the next scheduled game. 1.09 Protests Protest procedures; in accordance with ASA Rules, will be strictly adhered to. 1.10 Loose Base Rule Due to the field complexes available to the GLASA Women s division, when we do not play on fields that have pegged bases at 65 feet distance. The following loose bag rules will apply: (a) (b) (c) Once a base becomes dislodged during play on the field, a runner will be considered in contact with the base as long as she is in contact with the original ground spot of the base. Any succeeding or trailing runner is not required to follow a dislodged base, but must hit or be in contact with original ground spot of the base. A runner forfeits her right to the spot if she attempts to advance beyond this spot before the base has been returned to its proper position. If a runner elects not to slide, and her momentum carries her past the proper position of the base, she can be tagged out. She cannot drag the base with her. If a runner is attempting to maintain contact with a base and the base moves, she will be considered safe and the base in proper position, if the base has not moved more than one base width on either side of the original spot. The runner should not walk over and get a dislodged base. She must stay at the spot where the base should be, or be in jeopardy of being tagged out. Once time-out has been called, a dislodged base will be replaced to its original ground spot. 1.11 Playing Field Rules A fair ball, which becomes lodged in a tree, shrubbery, or a fence and becomes unplayable or a fair ball which hits the overhanging branches or leaves on a tree will be declared a dead ball, ground-rule double.
Article Two LEAGUE RULES 2.01 Batting Order The batting order, the official list of offensive players in the order in which members of that team must bat, must be established before the game starts. Teams have the option of batting nine (9), ten (10), eleven (11), or twelve (12) players during a game. The eleventh and twelfth players are considered as extra players (EP's). 2.02 Number of Players If a team elects to bat ten (10), eleven (11), or twelve (12) players and that team loses a player due to injury and does not have an available substitute on the bench, that team may continue to play; however, the team will be assessed an out every time that player comes up in the batting order in accordance with ASA rules. If the team loses a player due to ejection and does not have a substitute on the bench, the team will automatically forfeit the game. 2.03 Losing Player Due to Injury or Ejection A team that elects to bat nine (9) players and loses a player due to injury or ejection and does not have any available substitutes on the bench will automatically forfeit the game. 2.04 Submitting Line-up Sheets At least five (5) minutes prior to the start of each game, the batting order will be submitted on the official lineup sheet to the home plate umpire and the official scorer. The line-up sheet will consist of all rostered players, both starting players and substitutes, who are at the game and in the dugout. The starting players will be listed in batting order sequence with all substitutes noted at the end. If there is no official scorer, the home team's scorebook will be considered official. 2.05 Substitutions & Re-Entry Substitutions or reentries must be announced to the home plate umpire before such line-up changes become legal. 2.06 Courtesy Runners A maximum of two players may have the use of a courtesy runner during a game. The manager may designate such player/s at the beginning of the game by noting the player/s on the line-up sheet. If no runners or only one runner is requested at the beginning of the game, the manager may exercise her right of an additional runner/s up to maximum at the discretion of the Umpire at any point during the game. Any other need for runners will be handled under the provisions of Article Seven, Sections 7.02 and 7.03. The courtesy runner will be the player who made the last recorded out exclusive of a player designated as needing a courtesy runner. If a courtesy runner is needed in the first inning before an out had been recorded, the courtesy runner will be the last player in the batting order. 2.07 Late Arriving Tenth Player A late arriving tenth player may report to the Umpire and may enter the game as soon as the Umpire determines it to be appropriate. This player will become the tenth player in the batting order. 2.08 Other Late Arriving Players Any other late arriving players must report to the Umpire and will only be considered as a regular substitute. The batting order cannot be expanded past ten (10) players once the game begins.
Article Three PLAYERS, COACHES, AND SUBSTITUTES 3.01 Players - Batting Teams have the option of batting nine (9), ten (10), eleven (11), or twelve (12) players during a game. If batting 11 or 12, only ten (10) may play defense at a time with rotation of the extra players (EP). 3.02 Players Shorthanded Rule A game may begin and be played with nine (9) players. If a tenth player arrives, that player must be added to the end of the batting order/line-up. If no other eligible player arrives, the tenth batting position will be an out every time throughout the game. EFFECT: Failure to have the required number of eligible players to start or continue a game will result in a forfeiture. GLASA RULE: When a team starts a game with ten (10), 11, or 12 batters and loses a player due to injury without an available substitute, that team may elect to continue to play the game, but an out will be recorded each time for that batting line-up position. If the loss of a player is due to an ejection and there is no available substitute, the team will automatically forfeit the game. 3.03 Players Extra Player Optional player(s) if used must in indicated at the start of the game and listed on the batting line-up sheet. The extra players (EP) must be used the entire game and remain in the same position of the batting order. The EP may be substituted at any time and may re-enter once. NOTE: If using two (2) EP s, any 10 defensive positions may be changed but the batting order must remain the same. When a team begins the game with only 10 players, additional EP s may NOT be added. Late arriving players may be inserted as substitutes on the batting order. 3.04 Players Substitute A rostered player who is not listed as a starting player, or a starting player who re-enters the game. The team batting line-up sheet will consist of all rostered players, both starting and substitutes, who are present at the game and in the dugout. Substitutes who are present at the game must be listed at the bottom of the batting line-up sheet. 3.05 Players Substitute/Illegal Entry If a substitute enters the game without reporting to the plate umpire, and after a pitch has been thrown (legal or illegal), the player will be disqualified when discovered. The use of any illegal substitute is handled as a protest by the opposing team while the player is in the game. If, however, the team manager or player in violation informs the Umpire prior to the opposing team s protest, there is no violation, regardless of how long the player(s) were in the game. All action prior to the discovery is legal. NOTE: (1) If an unreported substitute on offense bats and reaches base safely, and then is discovered and protested before a pitch to next batter, or if at the end of the game and before the Umpire(s) leave the field, all runners, including the batter, will return to the base occupied on the batted ball. All outs that occur on this play will stand. (2) If the substitute is an illegal player for any reason, they will be subject to the penalty for that violation. 3.06 Players Courtesy Runners A maximum of (2) two players per team may be designated as those needing a courtesy runner during a game. These players must be noted on the batting line-up sheet. The courtesy runner will be the player who made the last recorded out. If needed, in the first inning before an out is made, shall be the last batter of the line-up sheet. Said courtesy runner shall be placed prior to the next pitch. If more than 2 players require a courtesy runner, it is NOT allowed at the discretion of the opposing team. Additional courtesy runners should be substitutes. Courtesy runners may be used for the same players within the same batting inning and throughout the game. If the courtesy runner is on base at the time of her batting line-up position, an out shall be recorded for failure to bat. The inning shall continue with the courtesy runner on base. The next batter shall be the player following the courtesy runner on the batting line-up.
Article Four TIEBREAKER AND PLAYOFFS FORMATS 4.01 International Tie Breaker If a game is tied after all innings have been completed. Each team puts the batter who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half of the inning on second base and plays out a full inning. A substitute may be inserted for the runner. This happens until the tie is broken and the game is complete. Please note that if the visitors go ahead in the top of an inning you still have to play out the bottom half of the inning. NOTE: If a team is playing shorthanded and the player who is absent is the one to be placed on second base, record an out for the absent player and the player whose name precedes the absent player in the batting order is placed on second base. It is the responsibility of the umpire and scorekeeper to notify the teams involved as to what player starts at second base. If the wrong player is placed on the base and it is brought to the umpire's attention, there is no penalty, correct the error and place the correct player on the base. This should occur whether a pitch has been thrown, or if the runner has advanced a base. If a substitute has been entered without reporting, and one pitch has been thrown, the umpire should enforce the illegal substitute penalty when it is brought to the umpire s attention. 4.02 Playoff Format Playoff formats to determine Division Champions will be determined prior to the start of each season by each division. No player or team may benefit or qualify for drop down to a lower divisional bracket for league or playoff purposes by either forfeiting or intentionally losing games. 4.03 Playoff Format Playoff eligibility shall be determined from the official line-up sheet. A player must be present at the game and legally on the line-up sheet for one-half (1/2) plus one (1) of the team s scheduled games to be eligible for playoff games except as the injured reserve rule (See Section 3.04) applies. The Commissioner shall make such determination of eligibility. 4.04 Playoff Conditions Division Champions procedures shall be decided prior to the beginning of the season; generally, it will be the team finishing at the top of their division s league standings at the end of the season. If at the end of the regular season, two or more teams finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, then the following will be used to determine final standings: 1. Head to head record if multiple teams are tied, then it is the record total of all games played only among the tied teams. 2. Record within division if a mixed division exists (such as A/B), then this criteria will be only those games played within the respective division, such as only those games within the B division. 3. Runs allowed the team that allows the fewest runs among the tied teams. 4. Runs allowed the team that allows the fewest runs of all games played. 5. A coin toss. 4.05 Officials Umpires: two (2) shall officiate semi-final and final playoff game(s) to determine first, second and/or third place. The league will provide the softballs, pay the umpire fees and pay for the field rentals for the playoff games. All games will be played with the same time limits and tie-breaker as established for the regular season games will be used until a winner of the game is determined.
Article Five POINTS OF EMPHASIS 5.01 Dugout Conduct This reflects on coaches, players, substitutes or other bench personnel. Players cannot be out of the dugout, between innings, standing near the batter s box observing the pitcher warming up (unless it is the on-deck batter). Players cannot be outside the dugout to smoke or to observe the game from behind the backstop or side screen (fencing). THERE IS NO SMOKING PERMITTED IN ANY AREAS OF THE GLENDALE SPORTS COMPLEX, including the parking lot. 5.02 Disqualified or Ejected Player Any arguing on the judgment of balls, strikes, safe/out calls will constitute a team warning. Any repeat offense shall result in the disqualification or ejection of that team member. Any player/team member (including team spectator/fan) shall not continue to participate in the current game and may be suspended from participation of the next scheduled game. NOTE: If the Umpire, in judgment, deems the violation to be physically harmful or verbally abusive, no warning may be given but immediate ejection and removal of person from the premises. Any such bodily harm directed towards an Umpire may result in arrest and prosecution. (California statute 243.8 Battery Against a Sports Official) 5.03 Throwing or Carrying A Bat If a player throws the bat intentionally in anger, frustration, or any form of purposeful intent, the player should be ejected immediately without warning. There is no penalty when a player carries a bat to first or any other base. However, the batter should drop the bat before reaching first base to prevent interference or injury. 5.04 Slide or Avoid and Interference It is NOT mandatory that a batter-runner or runner slide to a base. Runners should avoid any physical contact or hinder progress with the defensive player attempting to make or complete a play. It is the Umpire s judgment where Interference occurred. 5.05 Dogs At The Fields Dogs are permitted at the Glendale Sports Complex, but must be kept on a leash at ALL times. They are not to be tethered to the fences in any way, or left unattended. They are not allowed on any of the playing fields at any time. Violation of this rule can result in penalty from the City of Glendale and/or loss of our permit for field use. If a player is found violating this rule during play, and does not correct the situation immediately, the player may be asked to leave the game. 5.06 Facility Rules At the Glendale Sports Complex, the following rules apply: a) All field dugout gates must be closed during games. If Offense leaves a gate open and a batted ball or thrown ball enter the out of bounds area, runners do not advance on award. If Defense leaves a gate open and a batted ball or thrown ball enters the out of bounds area, base awards will be in accordance to where runners where at the time of the pitch. b) Dogs must be leashed at all times. Dog owner is responsible for any damage to other dogs, persons, or properties. c) Glendale City ordinance prohibits smoking of any kind on or near softball fields, parking lot, and all public areas. Rev 2/27/2009