Rohnert Park Girls Softball Association Standard Operating Procedures

Rohnert Park Girls Softball Association Standard Operating Procedures I. Guiding Principles PURPOSE: The purpose of these SOP S document is to establish the rules and procedures that shall guide the playing rules of this association, called the Rohnert Park Girls Softball Association (RPGSA). No governing document can cover all possible situations. Therefore, in addition to these SOP S, this association should never lose sight of its stated purpose and the best interest of the participants. SOP CHANGES: These SOP S may be changed at any regular meeting provided that: There is a quorum of Executive Board members. The proposed changes are submitted in writing. The changes are approved by a majority of voting members present. Voting: No member should vote on an issue in which they have a direct interest not common to other members of the organization. All votes are eligible for a secret ballot vote vs raising of the hands vote if a possible contentious vote is anticipated by the executive committee. II. Committees: 1) Can be formed as needed by approval of the board. 2) Each committee meeting should be announced to the board with at minimum time, location, and agenda. 3) Committee meetings unless otherwise noted are open to the public and anybody may participate in the discussion. 4) Closed meetings may be held at the discretion of the chair. 5) Committees should provide a report and any recommendations at the monthly board meeting. 6) Committees should be formed at the October Board meetings, will serve for the board year and include at minimum the following Chairperson and core members. (*Chairperson) A) Finance and Fundraising i.*treasurer ii. Sponsor/ Fundraising Director iii. Apparel Director

iv. Concessions v. Field Director vi. Equipment Director B) Registration i. *Player Agent ii. Treasurer C) Sop/ Bylaws i.*vice President D) Opening Day i. *Sponsor/ Fundraising Director ii. Concessions Director iii. Volunteer Coordinator E) Travel Ball i. *Travel Ball Director ii. Concessions Director iii. Equipment Director iv. Treasurer v. Player Agent F) Fields i. * Field Director 7) The committees may also include anybody willing to commit for the entire year. These members will be responsible for determining what recommendations are proposed to the board for approval. 8) In addition to committees all board members are expected to work at least 1 shift in the fireworks booth. III. Player Eligibility, Registration and Fees ELIGIBILITY: Girls registering with RPGSA must be residents of Sonoma County. At the completion of 1 year as an eligible player of the league, the player living outside the area will be grandfathered in. If a player quits her team in the middle of the season without sufficient explanation, that player will not be eligible to play in the subsequent season without submitting to the Board a written explanation of her justification for quitting prior to registration of the new season. The RPGSA Board may approve or disapprove the return of this player prior to her registration. PLAYING AGE: Playing age will be determined by the age attained prior to January 1st.

FEES: Pending requirements, fees may be modified from year to year with RPGSA Board approval. Board members will be able to have their children and grandchildren play recreation season at no charge. REGISTRATION: Registration will be held on a minimum of two (2) weekday/weekends. Any new girl wanting to be in the draft must be signed up before the skills assessment, or she will be on a waiting list. Returning girls who do not sign up prior to last sign up date will be put on a waiting list and will only be placed on a team on a space available basis. IV. League Structure AGE DIVISIONS: T-Ball 4-6; Midgets 7-8; Rookies 9-10; Minors 11-12; Majors 13-18 TEAMS: The number of teams in the league and the number of girls on each team may vary each year. As a group, we must consider the amount of playing time each player receives and the balance of strength between teams before establishing these quota guidelines each year. ROSTERS: Team rosters will be filled by drafting players from a pool of girls created at the time of registration and before the draft, with the exception of T-Ball and Midget Divisions. Any vacancies on a team roster will be filled by the girls on the waiting list, in accordance with the bylaws. T-Ball and Midget Division rosters are created by the Player Agent and the respective Division Director. Managers and Coaches: All potential managers and coaches must apply. Managers and coaches must be approved by the board prior to taking the field. Votes for Managers and coaches can be done by secret ballot if desired. FUNDRAISING: Will be determined annually by the RPGSA Board. PRESENCE OF ADULT WOMAN: It is strongly suggested that an adult woman be present at all team activities. V. Drafting and Player Assignments DRAFTING DRAFTING AS TO MINORS AND ROOKIES ONLY: At any given time during the draft, all teams must remain in a 60%-40% balance. If not starting at a 60%-40% balance, players must be drafted from the age group necessary to obtain the 60%-40% split. During the draft process, if a team needs to draft a player of a certain age and none are

available, it must choose from the hat for the age necessary. There will be separate hats for each age group. MANAGERS: The daughters of voted managers will automatically be a member of that team, if age appropriate, unless otherwise requested. They will be counted as the team s second (2nd)round pick if they are a new member of the team. No new manager s selections will be allowed if the selection from the previous year remains on the team. COACHES: Coach s daughters do not avoid the draft process. They must be drafted by the second round unless the manager s daughter has filled that draft spot, and then the coach s daughter will fill the third (3rd)round draft position. No new coach s selections will be allowed if the selection from the previous year remains on the team. If a manager wishes to have an assistant coach whose daughter will be a coach s pick, the request must be made 24 hours prior to the start of player assessments. If an assistant coach and manager do not request to coach together prior to the first scheduled player assessments, then the coach s daughter will enter the draft and be subject to selection by any team under normal draft procedures of any non-coach or managers daughter. SISTERS: Sisters (blood or through marriage) are automatically on the same team provided they age qualify. The sister will be the final draft pick. Any other relationship does not automatically qualify for the team membership. When sisters do not want to be on the same team, it must be made known to the league by the parents and the Player Agent two (2) weeks prior to the draft. PARENT BECOMES MANAGER OR COACH: When players move from one team to another within the same age group, because the parent becomes a manager or coach, the team the player moves to must forfeit their first round draft pick position to the team the player left. This does not apply to an expansion team. PITCHERS: A team that has a pitcher cannot draft a pitcher in the first round unless the Vice President recognizes that all other teams have a qualified pitcher. A qualified pitcher comes from a list that the Vice President complies from the end of the previous season. RANDOM DRAW OF PLAYERS WHO DO NOT ATTEND SKILLS ASSESSMENT: Random draw will now be referred to as a hat pick. These will be all players that are new to a division and did not attend skills assessment or have returned to the same division but have requested to play on a new team. They may not be chosen by the hat by the team they have requested to leave.

DRAFTING BY AN EXPANSION TEAM: The Manager of an expansion team will draft prior to the regular draft beginning. They will draft either, a) until they have the same number of players as the team with the fewest returning players, or, b) a maximum of two (2) players, whichever is less. They will then draft in the first position of the regular draft order. After the first round, 60%-40% split applies same as other teams.

DRAFTING ORDER: The drafting order is determined by drawing number from a hat. The order of the hat draw is in reverse order of the final regular season standing with any expansion team drawing first. After the order has been determined the draft will go as follows: Example of Drafting order with 6 teams in division Order Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Pick 1 Team 1 Team 6 Team 1 Team 6 Team 1 Pick 2 Team 2 Team 5 Team 2 Team 5 Team 2 Pick 3 Team 3 Team 4 Team 3 Team 4 Team 3 Pick 4 Team 4 Team 3 Team 4 Team 3 Team 4 Pick 5 Team 5 Team 2 Team 5 Team 2 Team 5 Pick 6 Team 6 Team 1 Team 6 Team 1 Team 6 PLAYER MOVEMENT: Any player not wanting to return to the current team automatically becomes a hat pick. Players may participate in skills assessment but cannot be drafted other than as a hat pick. TRADES: Maximum of 2 trades per team. Any player movement constitutes a trade regardless of who initiates the trade. 60%-40% split must remain after trades. ONCE DRAFT NIGHT IS COMPLETE: No movement after draft night without majority decision by the Board. WAITING LIST: Those who sign up after registration dates will be put on the waiting list. TRY-OUTS TO MOVE UP TO NEXT DIVISION ON A LIMITED BASIS: Players who demonstrate a superior level of proficiency in their existing age division may be allowed to play in the next division. The parent must submit a request to the Player Agent for the player to be eligible. The recommendation and/or request must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to skills assessment. The Executive Board has final authority to approve or disapprove any request. Once a player is approved to move up to the next division, the player must finish the season in that division. DRAFT NIGHT ATTENDANCE: The draft will be attended only by the president, vice president, secretary, player agent, division directors (for their respective divisions), team managers and pre-approved coaches. Stand-ins will be available for any coaches not

attending. A pre-approved board member will fill-in if the president or vice president cannot attend. LENGTH OF SEASON: Upon annual approval, the league will begin practicing no later than March 1st, games will begin no later than the first weekend of April, and Championship games will be completed by the Wednesday prior to the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District graduation. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: If a director or coach feels that there are any circumstances that the SOPs do not cover regarding the draft process they may appeal to the Board of Directors no later than 7 days prior to the draft process. VI. League Play EQUIPMENT: The rules of the governing equipment and its use are found in the glossary of the AS A rule book. This will include ASA approved helmets with face guards and chin straps. FIELD: Preparing the field and putting out the bases is the responsibility of the home team, unless the field keeper is in charge. It is the responsibility of the visiting team to pick up bases, lock up, and make sure lights are turned off at completion of game. RULES: The game RPGSA league plays are ruled by the official ASA rulebook. Any deviations from the official ASA rulebook must be listed in the SOP s or they are not accepted by this league. GROUND RULES: Will be established annually by voting members. POSTPONEMENT: Games will not be postponed except for rain, or field safety concerns. FORFEITS: Forfeits are covered in the ASA rule book. All players must be listed on the game roster; those absent must be noted on the game roster. The team failing to have all players listed will forfeit. The time the game is scheduled to start is the forfeit time, because the game must start as scheduled. If the home team does not have a snack bar volunteer, the game will be forfeited by the home team. LINE-UP SHEETS: Will be given to the scorekeeper of the opposing team and the umpire at least 15 minutes before game time and will be include: date, team, all player s first and last names, player s uniform, and position numbers. SCOREKEEPERS: The official scorebook for each game will be kept by the visiting team. All winning teams report scores to the league secretary.

PLAYER PARTICIPATION: Each player on each team will get at least one at bat and six outs on defense per game. If the player does not get both, the team committing the infraction will forfeit the game, unless the infraction occurs due to time limit. If a player does not bat once and play six outs on defense that player will start the next game and play a total of twelve outs on defense and bat at least twice; these stated penalties are a total for both games. Example: A player bats once and plays three outs; in the next game the player will bat once and play nine outs; the total turns at bat are two and the total defensive player s outs equal twelve. Player Call-Ups : Players may be called up from a younger division team to help a team fill a complete line-up, subject to the following provisions: Call-Up player(s) will not play pitcher or catcher. Call-Up player(s) will bat at the bottom of the lineup and should play outfield. Must call a player from the division directly under your division. The Call-Up player(s) must be communicated to the opposing team s manager/coach prior to the game starting. There is no limit to the number of girls that can be called up in order to fill a team. Call up requests prior to the day of the game should go through the division director of the division requesting the player. If the Division Director is unavailable please contact the Player Agent, President, or Vice President. If day of the game please follow the above procedure and allow at least one hour for a response. MAJORS Division LENGTH OF GAME: The length of game shall be seven (7) innings. A new inning may not start after one hour and 20 minutes. The game will end at 1 hour and 35 minutes. With the score reverting back to the last completed inning. If a batter has faced a pitch when the drop dead time is reached the batter will be allowed to finish their at bat. With the score reverting back to the last completed inning. A Game will be played until time limit or 7 innings (normal end of game) regardless of score. TEAMS: Must have eight (8) players to play the game. If a team is playing with fewer than 9 players, that team will not be penalized on offense by having an out recorded for the missing player(s).

UNIFORMS: Uniforms displaying the player s number and team will be worn by any participating player while on the field of play. This will be enforced with caution during extreme weather conditions or individual medical conditions. It will ultimately be the umpire s discretion and this will be final. UMPIRES: Those working behind the plate will be licensed professionals who answer to RPGSA Bylaws, the ASA rulebook, and their organization only. The field umpires will be apprentice umpires. Judgment and interpretation of ASA rules are subject to proper protest as provided in the ASA rule book and these bylaws (see Protest). It is strongly recommended that umpires utilized are not affiliated with the division they are umpiring for. Affiliation is defined as a manager, coach, parent/legal guardian of a player or any umpire having a conflict of an interest regarding the division. PLAY-OFFS: Prior to the start of the each season the final format will be decided upon by the Executive Board, depending on the number of teams in each division. BATTING LINEUP: A Cinderella batting order, in which all players who are eligible and present will bat, is mandatory. RUN LIMIT: All games will have a six run limit per half inning. No run limit after the completion of the 6th inning. All Star Game: will be decided annually depending on the number of teams and players. Cleats: Metal cleats will not be permitted during the recreation season. AWARDS: Most inspirational (MIP). Only one awarded per team and is given at the end of the season division picnic. Most valuable player (MVP). Only one awarded per team and is given at the end of the season division picnic. Nicole Mattson Award: See section on award for description and process for awarding. MINOR LEAGUE: Same as Majors with the following exceptions: PITCHING LIMITATIONS FOR MINORS: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 4 innings per game. If a single pitch is thrown in any inning it constitutes a full inning pitched. Dur-

ing league play including playoffs and championships, starting pitcher must be substituted by the third inning for a minimum of one (1) inning (starting pitcher may re-enter after 1 full inning of relief). Each team must utilize 2 pitchers per game. RUN LIMIT: All games will have a 5 run limit per half inning, No run limit after the completion of the 6th inning. DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: There will be four (4) outfielders, no rover behind shortstop and there will be ten (10) players in the field during the game. BUNTING: The minor players are allowed to bunt as in the ASA rule book with an addendum to the rule that if the batter squares to bunt, she cannot pull back and take a full swing. PLAYER PARTICIPATION: Minor Managers can make free substitutions. UNIFORMS: Uniforms displaying the player s number and team will be worn by any participating player while on the field of play. This will be enforced with caution during extreme weather conditions or individual medical conditions. It will ultimately be the umpire s discretion and this will be final. UMPIRES: There will be one licensed umpire behind the plate and one apprentice in the field. ROOKIE LEAGUE: Same as Minors but with these exceptions: UMPIRES: Upper division girls can umpire games behind the plate. BALL SIZE: An 11 hardball will be used. IN FIELD FLY RULE: will not apply in this division. PITCHING: 4 balls for a walk; 3 strikes for an out. (No foul outs) PITCHING LIMITATIONS: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game, but no more than 2 consecutive innings in a row. If a single pitch is thrown in any inning it constitutes a full inning pitched. Outfielders: Must be on the grass at the start of play until the ball is put into play. TIME LIMIT: No new inning at 1:10. Game will end at 1:25.

MIDGET LEAGUE: Same as Rookies but with these exceptions: BALL SIZE: A 11 incrediball will be used. PITCHING: No walks will be given. First half of season: Coach pitch only. Coaches will be allowed a maximum of 5 pitches per batter during this time. Halfway point of the season will be announced when schedules are released. Second half of season: Pitchers will be limited to 6 outs per game. Pitching distance is 30 feet from the front of home plate. A coach/pitcher will enter the circle if the batter remains after 3 pitches have been thrown by a player/pitcher. The coach/pitcher will resume the player/ pitcher strike count and will throw no more than three pitches with the coach/ umpire calling balls/strikes. COACH HIT BY BATTED BALL: If the coach in the field is struck by a batted ball is considered a dead ball and counts as a no-pitch. BATTING: All players attending and eligible for play will be included in the line-up. Each half inning will be completed when either three outs have been recorded or a team bats through its entire line-up. If three outs are recorded in a half inning, the next batter in the line-up will lead off the next inning. UMPIRES: Games are officiated by coaches or parent volunteers. BALLS HIT TO ANY INFIELD PLAYER: Runner(s) may advance only one (1) base. BALLS HIT TO ANY OUTFIELD PLAYER: Ball must be thrown back to the infield to stop the runners advancing. General Rules: No bunting. No stealing, however lead offs of up to six feet are allowed after the ball crosses home plate. Runners must return to the base when the ball is returned to the pitcher. Dropped third strike will not apply.

PLAY-OFFS: No playoffs or standings. AWARDS: All the players will receive participation awards. No MVP or MIP awards. LENGTH OF GAME: No new inning will be started after 1 hour. The game will end at 1:15.. T-BALL LEAGUE: Same as Midgets but with these exceptions: FORFEITS: No forfeits. Teams may play with fewer than ten (10) players. If there is a large disparity in the number of players between the two teams the Managers may elect to borrow players to create balanced teams for that game. SCOREKEEPING: No score will be kept. PLAYER PARTICIPATION: Each team member will bat once every inning. Every player will play a defensive position each inning. The Manager will rotate defensive positions using discretion when safety of the player is involved regarding skill level. RULES: The game will be played within the guidelines of the official ASA rule book. Deviations are as follows: No catcher. No strike outs; the player swings until a ball is hit into play. Bases are cleared after three outs. No running on overthrows. No All Star Game BATTING: For the entire season, each player will receive four pitches, if contact is not made the T will be placed for the remainder of the at bat. A player may also continue to receive pitches if she has fouled the last one off. BALL SIZE: A 10 incrediball will be used. FIELD LAYOUT: A 5 foul ball arc will placed on the field in front of home plate. LENGTH OF GAME: One hour. VII Nicole Mattson Award:

An annual Award given to a player in the Major Division of Rohnert Park Girls Softball Association in memory of a young lady who lost her life at the age of 17 in 2005 in a tragic car accident. Nicole was a player in RPGSA for many years as well as a Rebel player. She continued on to play at Rancho Cotati High School. In memory of her, players receiving the award possess the following: Great attitude that never buys into negativity. Inspiration to teammates and opposition, never one to put down another player. Hard work in practice and games, focused on the task at hand. Always leading by example! Openness to coaching and guidance to make her a better player. Talent on the field. Directions for voting: Each player receives one vote for a player on her team. Those individual votes should not be viewed by the coach. They will be collected by the coaches and submitted to the Major Division V.P. The Major Division V.P. will tally the unopened votes with the League President and Vice-President. The winner from each team will be put on a final ballot together and passed out to each team where each player will vote for the candidate they choose. Votes will once again be turned in to coaches who will not view them. Coaches will turn the final votes in to the Major Division V.P. and they will tally the unopened votes with the League President and Vice-President. In the case of a tie Board members will be able to vote to break the tie. Nicole Mattson plaque will be purchased by RPGSA and presented prior to the Majors Championship game by the Mattson family. VII Travel Ball RPGSA TRAVEL BALL COMMITTEE:

Travel Ball Meetings: The Travel Ball committee will meet monthly (and as needed) with new Travel Ball committees selected beginning in October.) Travel Ball Director shall remain to complete the collection of fees for the calendar year travel ball programs by September 30. Any unfinished business records shall be transferred and communicated to the next year's travel ball director and the treasurer. All travel ball meetings are open meetings. Only the Travel Ball committee members are voting members. Duties of Rebel Managers : shall include but not limited to: selection of assistant coaches, organization of practices, managing of games, selection of one or more team parents to assist in team communication, communication with division representative and/ or Tournament Director regarding team activities, and participation on Travel Ball committee. Managers are expected to assist with responsibilities delegated from the Tournament Director associated with organization and operation of Rebel teams in their age division including: organizing tryouts, assisting with skills clinics, organizing production of Rebel Summer Classic, and monitoring team activities. Duties of Manager associated with the Rebel Summer Classic include: organizing field crews for all games in their division, staffing of concessions for all games in their division, organizing activities and clean-up activities for their division. SELECTION OF COACHES: A member of the Travel Ball committee who is being considered for a Manager position may not participate in discussion and voting for coach selection for that age division. The selections of the Travel Ball committee are to be presented as recommendations to the RPGSA Board by the Travel Ball Director at the earliest opportunity for Board approval. The Travel Ball committee should collect applications from those interested in a Head Coaching position. The Travel Ball committee may conduct interviews with prospective coaches as needed. All coaches are expected to be approved by the RPGSA Board before officially representing RPGSA in Travel Ball competition. SCHEDULE: Initial scheduling of Tournament attendance by Travel Ball Teams is determined by a majority vote of the Travel Ball committee. Scheduling of the Rebel Summer Classic is determined by a majority vote of the Travel Ball committee and subject to approval by the RPGSA board and by the regional governing body (e.g. ASA).

Any changes to tournament attendance are to be brought by the Manager to the Travel Ball Director s attention and presented to the RPGSA Board for approval.