Summer 2018 MEN'S REGISTRATION: now 6/4/18 $350 per team Mail-In/Drop Off Site: 407 E. First Street, Prosper, 75078 SEASON BEGINS: FORMAT: LEAGUES: Sunday, 6/10/18 at 3pm 8-game season (No Playoff's) (Sunday) Men s Open/Church For more information or to registration go to www.prosperparksandrec.org Click on the register button
Town of Prosper Adult Softball Leagues Adult Softball Coach/Player: Welcome to the Town of Prosper Parks and Recreation Adult Softball program. There will be a coach s meeting before the season starts to cover rules, etc.; registered captains will be contacted with more details. Attached to this letter are the following forms that you may need: registration form, roster w/ signatures required, under 18 waiver, rules and information. Completed rosters are to be turned in THE DAY OF YOUR FIRST GAME (given to umpire before the start of play). Your team can not play until a roster is turned in and filled out completely, including each player s address. One is attached, but blank rosters can also be printed under the Files Download section on the following web site. All schedules, standings, game results, and league information will be posted on www.prosperparksandrec.org. Thus, it is important that coaches inform their players about the new website. Please remember the importance of sportsmanship on the fields and being role models for children that may be in attendance at the games. Have FUN and enjoy the league! Julie Shivers Parks and Recreation Town of Prosper 1
Prosper Parks and Recreation Adult Softball Leagues RAIN-OUT HOTLINE 972-662-8999 (updated by 1:00pm, head umpire s call after 1pm start of 1 st game) LEAGUE FORMAT The league format is as follows: Sunday Men s Open/Church SCHEDULES After registration ends we will formulate the league schedules, and they will be posted on www.prosperparksandrec.org. We cannot honor schedule requests; several factors determine times of play and schedules are randomly generated. Participants should check the website often for schedule updates, standings, and registration information for leagues. ROSTERS Completed rosters are to be turned in THE DAY OF YOUR FIRST GAME (given to umpire before the start of play). Your team can not play until a roster is turned in and filled out completely, including each player s address. One is attached, but blank rosters can also be printed under the Documents on the home page on the following web site: www.prosperparksandrec.org Players may be added or deleted during the season anytime before the team s 5 th game. The signed roster must include each player s signature, address, and phone number. SEASON The regular season will consist of eight games. AWARDS/ UNIFORMS 1 st individual (shirts). Uniform shirts must be alike in color. Everyone who plays in the game must have a legal number. LINE-UP CARDS Line-up cards are due BEFORE the game begins. We request that line-ups be turned in ten (10) minutes before your game begins. Failure to submit a line-up prior to the umpire/coaches meeting at home plate may result in a forfeit. The line-up card should include all players on the bench. MAKE UP GAMES Every attempt will be made to schedule all make-up games on your league night. However, the Town of Prosper reserves the right to schedule on alternate nights if necessary due to heavy rains, etc. This may include scheduling doubleheaders and weekend games. In the event of an abundance of inclement weather and rainouts, the Town of Prosper reserves the right to cancel games in circumstances where they can t be made up. REFUNDS No entry fee will be refunded after schedules have been made. 2
ADULT SOFTBALL Bylaws 1. GENERAL RULES: 1.1. The Town of Prosper Adult Softball Leagues are sanctioned by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF). The league will follow ASA and TAAF rules and regulations with some exceptions noted in these bylaws. 1.2. Teams and players may play in multiple leagues offered by the Town of Prosper; however, the Town of Prosper reserves the right to upgrade a team s league preference, or to deny application to participate in the league, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the leagues. The intent of this rule is to promote balanced competition in each league. A player must be on the roster of only one team per league. Players playing in more than one league do so at their own risk; there are no schedule guarantees. 1.3. All participants must be at least 15 years of age at the beginning of the season. Participants under 18 years of age must obtain a signed parental waiver prior to playing in the Town of Prosper leagues. Players that are high school or college athletes are responsible for determining their eligibility in regards to high school and college associations. 1.4. Teams are allowed to have up to 3 female players, with the understanding that men's ASA rules still governing the games. 1.5. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, simulated cigarettes of any kind, and littering are prohibited. 2. HOME TEAM: 2.1. The home team will be determined by a coin flip prior to each game. 3. TEAM ROSTERS: 3.1. Team rosters are limited to 20 players. Rosters/waivers are due prior to a team s first scheduled game. 3.1.1. All players MUST sign the roster/waiver form before playing. 4. ROSTER CHANGES: 4.1. Players may be added or deleted from the roster anytime before the team s 5th game. 4.2. Rosters are due before the start of the first game. Changes to the roster can still be made up to the 5 th game of the season. 4.3. No individual may play on two teams in the same league on the same night. 4.3.1. Violators will be suspended from the league. 5. UNIFORM CODE: 5.1. All teams must have jerseys of like color (base color the same) with numbers permanently attached by the 3 rd week of the season. 5.1.1. No taped on numbers will be allowed. 5.1.2. No duplicate numbers will be allowed. 5.1.3. Numbers will be whole numbers only and limited to single or double digits only. 5.2. Under no circumstances may steel cleats be worn in Prosper Leagues. 6. GAME BALLS: 6.1. Each team will furnish playable, (COR of.520 ASA certified) red stitch only softballs for each game (hit your own). 6.2. Co-Ed teams should provide at least one 11" (women's) and one 12" (men s) ball. 3
6.3. Please put your team name on all balls so they can be returned at the end of the game. 7. STEALING: (Men s leagues only) 7.1. Runners may advance after the ball reaches the front edge of home plate. 7.2. In the event that the runner leaves the base before the ball reaches the front edge of home plate the runner will be declared out and the ball is declared dead. 8. GAME TIMES and FORFEITS: 8.1. If any team forfeits 3 games during the season due to not having enough players to start the game per Rule 9.1, the Town of Prosper has the right to delete them from the game schedule for the remainder of the season, including any tournament games with no refund of any fees. 8.2. Coaches are responsible for contacting the Parks and Recreation Office if it is known that you cannot field a team for a game more than 24 hours in advance. 8.3. Time Limit is 55 minutes or 7 innings unless there is a tie. 8.3.1. If tied a 3-2 count will be assessed to each batter that goes to the plate. The 3-2 count does not begin until the start of the next full inning of play. 8.4. There will be a ten minute grace period for the 3:00pm games only. If neither team has enough players at 6:15pm then a coin flip will determine home team, but if one team has at least 9 players in the dugout, ready to play at 3:00pm then that team is automatically designated as the home team. 8.5. For games after the first initial game, teams that do not have enough players to start a game will begin play as the visiting team. If their players show up, have a jersey, and are in the dugout ready to play before the visiting team finishes their at bat, the game will continue; but if the team still does not have enough players to field a team the game will be called a forfeit immediately following the last out. (This rule does not apply to 3:00pm games. Refer to rule 8.4). 8.6. Due to the 11pm light ordinance, no new inning will start after 10:45pm; the game will be considered complete (if 3 innings were completed) to determine a winner. Every effort MUST be made to have lights off by 10:55pm. 8.7. If both teams do not have enough players to field a team by game time then it will be called a double forfeit. 8.7.1. The official time is according to the Home Plate umpire s watch only. 8.7.2. If both teams have enough players to start, then the game must start. 8.8. A forfeit will be scored a 10-0 win. 8.9. Umpires are provided and trained through the North Texas Softball Officials and are expected to offer to call a game for fun in the event of an on-site forfeit, with the applicable team recorded with the win per the rules regardless of the outcome of the called game. If umpires do not do this, please inform league administration. 9. LINE-UP: 9.1. Line-ups must be submitted to the umpire prior to game time. Each player must be listed with jersey #, first and last name. If line-ups are not submitted prior to the home plate meeting before the game, then the home plate umpire may rule the game a forfeit if there are not enough players to conduct the game, or begin the game time and wait for the lineup to be submitted before allowing the first pitch. If a team has enough players, but is deliberately slow or uncooperative in submitting a line-up, then the home plate umpire may declare a forfeit. 9.2. Teams may select the option to play 10 players, 11 players (EP), or batting all their players who are there at game time. Teams will be allowed to start with nine players; however, the 10 th player is an out each time he/she appears in the batting order. The shorthanded rule 4
may be used for selecting the option of playing 10 players or 11 players (EP) or batting the bench for that are there at game time. Teams will be allowed to continue with one less player, however, the short-handed player is an out each time he/she appears in the batting order and may not return to the game. (Exception: A player who has left the game for the blood rule may return to the short-handed position.) Teams that utilize the Extra Hitter or bat the whole bench do so at their own risk: A team that starts with 11or more must end with 11 or more spots. Either a player or an out. 9.3. Co-Rec. teams may select the option to play 10 players or 12 players as long as they bat in pairs. Co-Rec. teams will be allowed to start with any nine players as long as it is a 5 and 4 combination with the 10 th player an out each time he/she appears in the batting order. The short-handed rule may be used in Co-Rec. for teams selecting the option to play 10 players or 12 players. (Exception: A player who has left the game for the blood rule may return to the short-handed position.) 9.4. Any eligible player on the official line-up including available substitutes may be used as a courtesy runner. A courtesy runner may be used once per inning. 10. RUN RULE: 10.1. Games will end if a team is ahead by 20 runs after 3 innings, 15 runs after 4 innings, or 12 runs after 5 innings. If it is the home team the game will end after the visitor bats in the top of the 3 rd or 5 th innings. 11. PITCHING BOX: 11.1. Pitching Box fifty (50) feet from home plate and extending back five (5) feet perpendicular to the pitcher s plate towards second base will be used in all league play. 11.2. The pitcher must release the ball after coming to a complete stop with one or both feet in contact with the pitcher s plate or anywhere within the pitcher s box. One foot must remain in contact with the pitcher s plate or within the pitcher s box when the ball is released with an underhand motion. A step may be taken in any direction with the non-pivot foot. The pitcher must be facing the batter when delivering the ball. The ball must be delivered with a perceptible arc and reach a height of at least six (6) feet from the ground while not exceeding ten (10) feet from the ground 12. HOME RUNS: 12.1. One up rule - TBA 13. BAT COUNT: 13.1. All at-bats begin with a 1-1 count. Batters will have one courtesy foul on a two (2) strike count per at bat. A second foul batted ball will result in an out. 13.2. If a game is tied when the clock runs out and inning has been completed, or when 7 innings have been completed, ITB rules will apply with one pitch. Batters will start with a 3 2 count starting with the next inning. Courtesy foul will not apply in ITB. 14. CONDUCT AND EJECTIONS: 14.1. The Prosper Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to suspend a player or team for discourtesy towards another player, umpire, or any city official for a period of games to be determined by the seriousness of the action. Any situation that an official deems unsportsmanlike may be cause for ejection or removal. 14.2. A removal can occur for minor infractions and allows the player to stay at the park, but not play in the game anymore. If there are no further problems the player will be allowed to play the next week. The player can still be ejected from the park after a removal if further 5
unsportsmanlike conduct is exemplified. An ejection shall be for more serious infractions (i.e. foul language heard by the fans, throwing bat in anger, arguing balls and strikes, and other more serious infractions. 14.3. Players ejected from a game for any reason shall be suspended from play not only for that game, but also for the next game that his/her team is scheduled to play including any playoff games. This suspension is automatic; no notification needs to be sent to the team or player. 14.4. If a player is ejected twice in any one season, even if the ejections occur in more than one league during the season, he/she will be suspended for the duration of the season in all leagues offered by the Town of Prosper. If the second ejection occurs during the last game of the season, the player will be suspended for the entire following season. 14.5. Anyone ejected from a game (player or fan) must leave the park property within two (2) minutes. If they do not or if they leave and return later, their team will forfeit their game for that day (even if game has already been played). If that game was played and lost, the next game will be forfeited. Ejected individuals who are serving suspension ARE NOT allowed to attend their team s games, even as a spectator. 14.6. The League Director reserves the right to increase or decrease the severity of penalties based on previous history, unusual or special circumstances, or to protect the integrity of the league. 15. PROTESTED GAMES: 15.1. Each team must have a manager or team captain who is the official spokesperson for his team and spectators. The team captain participating in the game is the representative of his team and may address an official on matters of rule interpretation or obtain essential information, if it is done in a courteous manner. 15.2. All protests must be made formally to the home plate umpire in the manner described in the ASA Rule manual. 15.3. The protesting team must submit the reason for the protest in writing accompanied with a $25 protest fee (cashier s check or money order ONLY made out to the Town of Prosper) within 48 business hours after the game to the Town of Prosper Parks and Recreation Department. 15.4. Rule interpretation is the ONLY protestable issue that will be considered. 15.5. Protest fees will be returned to the team ONLY if the protest is upheld. If the protest IS NOT UPHELD the protest fee will be forfeited. 16. PLAYING FIELD CONDITIONS AND SEVERE WEATHER POLICIES: 16.1. The Parks and Recreation Department will make decisions on cancellation of games due to inclement weather by 4:00pm of the scheduled game day. If weather and/or field conditions are questionable, please call the Rainout Line at (972) 662-8999, after 4:00pm. 16.2. If the first game of the night is cancelled, all other games on that field are cancelled. Likewise, if the second game is cancelled, the third game is also cancelled. 16.3. Only the umpires will make any cancellation decisions at game time. 16.4. In the event of inclement weather during games in progress, games are considered complete after 40 minutes of play. The score shall revert to the last completed inning of play. It is the responsibility of each team s manager to check for the team s make-up schedule. 17. MAKEUP GAMES: 17.1. Every attempt will be made to schedule all make-up games on your league night; however, the Town of Prosper reserves the right to schedule on alternate nights if necessary due to heavy rains, etc. 6
17.2. The Town of Prosper will do everything possible to make up all games that are canceled due to weather. However, excessive rainouts may be cause to permanently cancel games to complete the league. No refunds are issued if such occurs. 18. TIEBREAKERS: A system of tiebreakers is used to determine the division champions in the event that 2 or more teams finish the regular season with an identical overall record: 18.1. If two or more teams are tied, the winner will be the team that has the highest winning percentage amongst the tied teams. (Example A, B, and C have identical win-loss record, but A beat both B and C ; A would be the winner.) 18.2. If there is a split (winning percentage is the same) between two or more teams the winner will be the team that gave up the least points against the teams involved for that tie. A team with a forfeit as a loss within the tied teams will automatically be the losing team. 18.3. If still tied, the team that has given up the least amount of runs to all opponents within the league is the winner. 19. CLEAN UP: 19.1. In an effort to assist our Parks Department, teams should police their dugout for trash and debris. 20. COMMUNICATION / WEBSITE SERVICE: 20.1. The league will usewww.prosperparksandrec.org to post all schedules, standings, game scores, league bulletins and other important league information. All coaches and players are encouraged to use the website in order to stay current with league issues. ASA Bat Testing & Certification Program Beginning January 1, 2000, players may use only those bats that meet all requirements of Rule 3, Section 1 of the ASA Playing Rules, and satisfies one of the following: 1. bear an ASA approved certification mark; or 2. are included on a list of approved bat models published by the ASA National Office; or 3. in the sole opinion and discretion of the umpire, were manufactured prior to 1995 and, if tested, would comply with the ASA bat performance standards then in effect. All wooden bats will continue to be approved for ASA Championship Play regardless of whether they bear an ASA approved certification mark or are included on a list of approved bats published by the ASA National Office. For a list of bats that have been tested and found to comply with the ASA bat performance standards, and therefore are authorized to bear the ASA 2000 certification mark, please see www.softball.org/about/certified_equipment.asp. Manufacturers continue to submit additional bat models for testing, and the ASA will update this list as test results become available. 7
Team Name: AGREEMENT WAIVER OF LIABILITY I,, give my permission for my child,, who is under 18 years of age, to attend and participate in the Adult athletic program sponsored by the Town of Prosper Parks and Recreation Department, beginning. I understand that this physical activity involves certain risks; and I hereby agree to hold harmless and waive any and all claims against the Town of Prosper, the Parks and Recreation Department, their agents, employees, referees, or scorekeepers on behalf of myself and the above mentioned minor child, for any accident or injury that my child may sustain while participating in the above mentioned program. I further attest that I am the parent or legal guardian of the above mentioned child, and that I possess the legal right to enter into this Agreement. Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian (To be signed in the presence of a Notary Public) STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF Subscribed and sworn before me this day of A.D.,. Notary Public In and For the State of Texas, My commission expires 8
Town of Prosper Parks and Recreation Roster Form LEAGUE: TEAM NAME: *All of the sections below must be completed by all players and turned in before the first game; added players can be done on a blank form and turned in by the applicable deadline per league by-laws. Name T-Shirt Size ADDRESS (must be filled in) Phone # SIGNATURE 1. (Coach) 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Persons signing above understand that athletic activities involve risks and do hereby waive all claims against the PISD, Town of Prosper, their agents and employees on behalf of themselves, heirs, executors, and administrators for an accident or injury that may be sustained participating Prosper Parks and Recreation Department in the program. We the undersigned acknowledge that all players listed are 18 years of age or older and eligible under all rules and bylaws of the program. 9
League Placement Request (Check one): Sunday Men s Recreational Check one: New Team Returning Team If returning, what was the name of your previous team:? Check one of the following: Competitive Semi-competitive Recreational TEAM NAME COACH/MANAGER S NAME E-MAIL (Required for league communication) ADDRESS CITY ZIP PHONE: (H) (Cell) (W) (FX) ASST. COACH PHONE: (H) (Cell) (W) (FX) E-MAIL Mail-In/Drop off: Attn.: Parks & Recreation 407 E. First Street, Prosper, 75078 Or go online to www.prosperparksandrec.org ***************************** Staff fills out below ***************************** Entry Team Fee: $350.00 per team Check Only# Employee Initials/Date ****ATTACH RECEIPT TO THIS FORM**** TEAM FEE MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION 10