NORTH PORT PARKS & RECREATION 6207 W. Price Blvd. NORTH PORT, FL 34291 LEAGUE COORDINATOR Jay Auxier jauxier@cityofnorthport.com League Information: 240-8125 (inclement weather/field conditions/cancellations) Monday-Friday: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm February 12th Fees are due Saturday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm February 12th Manager s Meeting: Morgan Center(6:30pm) Schedule will be e-mailed out by February 19 th. If enough Participation we will have an A&B league (A play on Thursdays and be more competitive, and B play on Tuesdays more recreational) Call: 941-240-8125 for rainouts after 4:00 pm. February 23rd First Game Office Phone Number: 240-8123 Fax: 941-429-3557 2016 ADULT CO-ED SOFTBALL INFORMATION SHEET 1. RULES: a. All Co-Ed leagues are governed by the City of North Port Parks & Recreation Division and ISA Slow Pitch Softball Rules. b. Bats: Must meet the ISA Standard. No ASA only bats. Females can use a Miken Ultra II bat or equal. c. Each team must field a minimum of nine players. If the number drops below the number of starting players due to an ejection (no subs left), the game ends in a forfeit. This does not apply for injuries. In the event a player is hurt and cannot continue (if no subs left), the team takes an automatic out each time that player was to be at bat, unless rule 1d can be introduced. d. Male & female players must alternate in the batting order. Failure to alternate male/female in the batting order will result as an out each time that spot in the order comes around. If a team has either 4 females or 4 males, those 4 members will rotate their batting in turn to ensure a male/female batting order. e. Free substitution of players Managers may take players in and out of a game as needed. Only a female can sub for a female. A male or female may sub for a male player. If a substitute is not available each time the player comes to bat, the team will take an automatic out. The league allows only 1 male and 1 female that may be picked up each game to make 10 players. Any sub must be notified to umpires and opposing managers and they must play catcher, first base, or right field when picked up from another team.
f. Designated Team Runner- Prior to the start of the game, each team may designate one female and one male designated runner. This may only be used if the designated runner is not already on base or due up in the batting order with remaining outs. If the Designated Runner is left on base when it s their turn to bat, they will be called out on the base, then proceed to bat if applicable. g. Pitching The pitching arc is 6 feet to 10 feet. The pitchers arm may only cross their hip once. No quick pitches will be allowed. The first offense will result in a dead ball with the batter receiving a ball. The second offense, the pitcher will be removed from the game. A 1 + 1 count will be used in all leagues. A courtesy 3rd strike foul ball will also be implemented. A strike zone mat will be used. h. Any time a male walks, the next female batter may choose to walk or bat. (The male batter advances to second base if the female chooses to walk.) i. The team manager is the only player allowed to dispute a call or ruling during and after the game. Any player other than the team manager that confronts the umpire will be ejected immediately, and suspended for the remainder of the game plus the team s next game. j. The pitcher will have the option of using a safety net. If a ball strikes any portion of the net it will be called a dead ball. If teams choose not to use the safety net, a ball hit up the middle will be in play. k. A safety line will be drawn beginning mid-way up from home plate on the third base side, and extend to home plate. The runner going towards home will follow the safety line past home plate, while the catcher stands on home plate to make the play at the plate. A runner that beats the throw will be deemed safe. A throw that beats the runner crossing the home plate line will result in an out. A runner that touches home plate will be called out. l. A commitment line will be drawn midway between third and home bases. Once the runner passes that line, he/she must proceed to the home plate line along the safety line. Failure to continue will result in that player being called out. 2. No Alcohol Beverages or Tobacco Products are allowed on or near the fields at any time. Please keep all vehicles off City property. Parking permitted only in designated parking lots. Each coach is responsible for enforcing these rules for players, coaches and spectators. Failure to enforce these rules will result in suspension or game forfeitures. No animals are permitted.
3. UNIFORMS: a. All players must wear matching shirts of the same color with a minimum size of 8 numbers on the back. All Teams Must have Team Shirts by Start of Week 3. b. All players/coaches must wear shoes. No metal spikes or detachable rubber spikes are allowed. Only molded sole cleats will be allowed. c. Sweatshirts may be worn under/over the uniform. d. No jewelry allowed except flat bands. 4. AGE REQUIREMENTS: Players must be 16 years old on or before January 31, 2016. 5. PLAYER ROSTER: a. Twenty (20) players may be carried on team roster. Players may only play on one team in one league. Players must play in half of the regular season games to be eligible for post season play. b. IMPORTANT - Team rosters must be received and recorded by the Parks and Recreation Office by February 12, 2016. Entry fees are due by February 12, 2016. Entry fees for this season are: $400.00. Make checks payable to the City of North Port. Teams must turn in line up cards (first and last names) before game time, or they will forfeit games. c. Players may be added as needed, at no more than 2 players per game, as long as a team s roster does not exceed 20 players. A roster that carries 20 players will have to drop current players in order to add additional players. New players must sign a waiver to be eligible to play. Added and dropped players will be made public to all league managers. 6. EQUIPMENT: Parks & Recreation will set up the field with 3 pegged-down bases before game time. A double bag will be placed as first base for all games. Home team is the official scorekeeper. All teams should have a first aid kit and a scorebook. a. Double Bag A double bag will be used at 1st base in all games. If there is a play on a batter/runner going to 1st base, the batter/runner must touch the portion of the double bag extending into foul territory (Blue). He/she will be called out if he/she fails to do so. EXCEPTION: If a defensive player has to move onto the bag in foul territory to make the play, the runner may touch either side of the bag if, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner touched the inside bag to avoid a collision. IMPORTANT: The defensive player has only the white base inside fair territory to make the putout. Once the batter-runner is safely at first base, he/she uses the
white portion. The batter-runner does not have to touch the white base if they touch the blue base and continue to second base. This is not an appeal play. 7. Rain-Outs: All rain-outs will be rescheduled at the end of the season, if necessary, on assigned dates. Rain-outs are part of the schedule; plan accordingly. In the event that two makeup dates have to be cancelled, there will not be a third makeup date. Parks and Recreation staff reserves the right for final commitment of all rain-outs/cancelled/make up games. Inclement Weather/Field Condition Information: Please call North Port Parks & Recreation at 240-8125 for cancellations due to weather/field conditions. Cancellations will be determined: after 4:00 pm on the day of the game. If the game has not been canceled, teams must report to the field, and umpires will determine if games are playable. Games must be stopped immediately for lightning/thunderstorms, or if substantial rain occurs. Umpires will determine whether it is safe to continue or terminate the game. Any game that is suspended before the 5th inning because of weather is a suspended game. The makeup game is resumed at the point which it was postponed. Makeup games will be rescheduled at the end of the season. No exceptions. If a team cannot make it, it is a forfeit. (Effort should be made to finish the game with the same players that played in the weather delayed game. Substitutions will need to be shared with opponents manager and umpires prior to resuming the game.) 8. TIME LIMITS: No Grace Period. One minute past game time is a forfeited game. Game times will be 7 innings played or 75 minutes in length, whichever comes first. An inning will not be started with less than 5 minutes to play. Any inning started will be completed (unless the home team is ahead) before the game is called a final. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, there will be one more inning played. After that, the Texas Tiebreak system will be used for the duration until there is a winner. 8a. Texas Tiebreak : This system is used to expedite games. At the beginning of an inning, the last batter from the previous inning starts at 2 nd base. The six run rule will also be in effect. 9. FORFEITS: Any team with 2 forfeits will be dropped from the league. A win will be given to the team opposing the no-show team. Games will not be rescheduled. 10. OFFICIAL NO-SHOW: If an assigned umpire fails to show for the game, the managers of the teams scheduled will select a person to act as an umpire. This must be a mutual agreement between both managers, and the game cannot be protested once the game starts. Teams who cannot agree on a substitute umpire are not guaranteed a rescheduled game. One Umpire is permitted.
11. EXTRA HITTER RULE: This rule is optional, not mandatory. If the EH is used, 12 batters will be submitted into the line-up at the start of game. If a team starts with 12 players they must finish with 12 players, unless: A player is removed due to injury, and no substitutes are left. If there are no subs left, the team takes an automatic out(s) when the injured player(s) is due to bat. Any players in the lineup may play defense. EH follows the same re-entry rules as starting players. The EH is inserted into the alternating order at any point, so long as the alternating play is not interrupted and continues through the batting orders entirety. A team using the EH rule must have 12 players in their line-up. The 11 th and 12th players must follow the alternating order of a team s lineup. 12. GAMES: a. All games will commence as stated on the schedule. If a team has 9 players, the game may begin with the 10 th batter as an automatic out. If the 10 th batter arrives, they may enter the game at the conclusion of the half inning, providing they are the correct gender. Females must rotate in order, in the event of only four playing. b. 15 Run Rule: A game will be declared official if a team is ahead by 15 runs after 5 complete innings(4-1/2, if home team is ahead). Teams can agree to continue play without umpires. The game is official once the umpires are off the field. c. A 6 run limit per team, per inning, will be set with the exception of the seventh inning;(last inning if time limit is met) when a team will be permitted to score as many runs as possible within the rules of the league. Playoffs will have No Run Rule! d. Stealing bases is not permitted. 13. The Parks & Recreation Division requires completion of a roster/waiver of liability at the time of player registration. 14. EJECTIONS: A player, coach or spectator ejected will receive, at the least, an automatic (2) game suspension. The ejected person(s) MUST leave premises immediately. The League Coordinator and Recreation Supervisor will determine length of suspension; further disciplinary action may be given. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of themselves, players and spectators. If the number of players during a game drops below the number of starting players (no subs left), due to an ejection, the game ends in forfeit. This does not apply to injuries.
15. BLOOD RULE: A player, coach, or umpire who is bleeding or has blood on his/her uniform shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment can be administered. If medical care or treatment is administered in a reasonable length of time, the individual will not have to leave the game. The length of time considered is left up to the umpire s judgment. Uniform rule violations will not be enforced if a uniform change is required. The umpire shall: a. Stop the game and allow treatment if injured person would affect the continuation of play. b. Immediately call a coach, or other authorized person to the injured player. c. Apply the rules of the game regarding substitutions, re-entry and short-handed player if necessary. 16. Teams are responsible for any damage to fields or equipment other than deemed normal wear. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from league. 17. SCOREBOOKS: Teams must submit players first and last names in the scorebook. Any team refusing to supply a coach s, player s or spectator s name will forfeit their game. A line-up card shall be presented to the game manager prior to the start of the game with player names, numbers, and positions. a. Each team must keep a scorebook for the duration of the game. The game manager will also keep score. If there is a discrepancy in the score, the home team s scorebook will be considered official. 18. HOME RUN RULE: This applies to fields with fences (temporary or permanent fences) Three (3) unassisted home runs will be allowed per team per game without penalty. After three home runs it will become progressive. Assisted home runs will not be counted as part of this rule. All balls hit outside the playing area (fair or foul) must be retrieved by the offensive team. 19. Post Season Play: Each team will provide a playoff roster 1 week before playoffs. Players will not be allowed to play for more than 1 team during playoffs. If there are 10 or more teams we will break into 2 playoff brackets according to records. Post season champions of each bracket will receive a trophy.
20. Cursing, bat throwing, harassment of umpires, or park personnel before, during, or after games will not be tolerated. The penalties have been, and will continue to be harsh. Any player/spectator that does not observe these rules will be expelled from the park. Captain s Signature Date **By signing you are agreeing to enforce the rules on your team throughout the Season**