| TEAM RULES & RESPONSIBILITIES |
| TEAM FEES PAYMENT DEADLINE |
| -Team fees are 1 000$ for the 2007 season. Each captain has the responsibility of collecting money from his players. |
| -Payment deadline for inscription is June 15th, 2007. Late payment bear additional charges of 50$ per month. |
| -Team cannot play in August if payment not completed. |
| -Payments deadline for banquet is August 15th, 2007. Late payment bear additional charge of 5$. |
| Players Roster |
| -Each team captain must sign a roster sheet provided by the home team captain before game time. The ump will initial it and hand it in after the game with the final score. |
| -Each team must designate a team captain and an assistant. |
| -There is a maximum of 13 players that can participate in a regular / playoff game. For any extra player, the substitution rule applies. |
| -No player can be added to the game roster once the 4th inning is completed. |
| -All players need to play a minimum of 5 games to be eligible for playoff games. Exception : Each team can designate 3 HMSL veteran (4 season regular status) that will be safe from the minimum game eligibility before season starts. |
| -Default games and suspension time do not count towards the 5 games minimum. |
| -If a player cannot play for a medical / physical disability (ex. injuries, pregnancy,…), the team captain must immediately advise the League committee so the games missed be counted for playoff eligibility. |
| WAIVERS |
| -Waivers for each player must be sign before their first game. The ump will collect the signed waivers at the first game. Without a signed waiver, a player cannot play. |
| LOCKER & EQUIPMENT |
| -It’s the home team responsibility of the early game to ensure that the League bats and equipment are there for the second game. |
| -It’s the home team responsibility of the late game to ensure that all the equipment has been put back and the locker is locked. |
| -It’s the home team responsibility to bring a new game ball and provide good condition used spare balls. |
| BBQ NIGHTS |
| Profit and loss is the responsibility of the organizing team. Profit belong to the team and it can be used for purchasing bats, reducing team fee or else. |
| A team can
organize more than one BBQ |
| CALENDAR RULES |
| REGULAR SEASON |
| -Each team plays 20 games : 4 against each other team. |
| -Forfeit or default games will not be played at year end. |
| -Rained out games will be played at specific re-scheduled time |
| -An official game is 4 completed innings (3 ½ inn if the home team is leading) |
| -There will be only one extra inning if the score is tied after 7 innings. |
| -All regular season game is officiated by one ump. |
| -No game time dates changes will be accepted to the regular season schedule. |
| PLAYOFFS |
| -Regular season 1st place and 2nd place teams automatically make it to the semi finales. |
| -Wild card
series is a one game show down to determine the other two semi finalist
: o 3rd vs. 6th o 4th vs. 5th |
| -Semi finales
are a best of 3 series between : o 1st vs. wildcard winner lowest seeded o 2nd vs. wildcard winner highest seeded |
| -Final is a best of 5 series |
| -All playoff games will be officiated by two umps with a rotation for behind the plate umpire. |
| -All playoff games must be 7 innings completed. |
| -No game time or game dates changes will be accepted to the playoff schedule. |
| GAME RULES |
| FIELDING A TEAM |
| -You need a minimum of 7 players on the field at every inning. Otherwise, the game is a default. |
| -There is a 15 minutes grace period allowed (Game debut at the latest 19h15 and 20h45). |
| MISSING GIRLS |
| -You need a minimum of 3 girls on the field at every inning. |
| -If one girl is missing, the last spot on the batting lineup is an automatic out. Every time it comes up, it’s an out. |
| -You cannot
play
with less than 2 girls. The game is a default. |
| RAINED OUT GAMES |
| -Rained out games are to be called by the two captains. Team captains must speak to each other (messages or emails without confirmation are not good) and both agree that it should be called. If you haven’t heard from the other team and not sure if there’s a game, you have to show up to the field. If you don’t show up and the other team does with enough players, even though it will be a rain out, the other team wins by default. |
| -Team captains are responsible to verify field condition. |
| -Home team captain is responsible to advise the ump scheduler (Bob Pearson) for the called game. |
| INTOXICATED PLAYER |
| -Zero tolerance. No drinking alcohol during a game or on the bench (players or friends). No smoking on the playing field. |
| -No drunk and/or intoxicated player can participate in a game. It’s the team captain responsibility to advise the player. |
| -Reinforcement : Umpire has the right to throw out a drunk/intoxicated player. |
| -If you are drinking after your games, plastic cups are required as per town’s policy. If the League received a ticket for an infraction related to this issue, teams concerned will be chargeback. |
| -Smoking area is determined as per the town’s policy. |
| DISCIPLENARY ACTION |
| -Fighting (throwing punches and/or physical abuse) is an automatic 25 regular season games suspension for a first offence (plus playoff). Second offence, suspension for undetermined time – committee decisio |
| -Ejected player receives a one game suspension. Second offence is 10 regular season games (plus playoff). |
| -Drunk/intoxicated player ejected from a game is an automatic 10 regular season games suspension (plus playoff). |
| -Team captain receives a one game suspension when one of its players receives a 10 or more regular games suspension. |
| -If a disgraceful event occurs, the League Committee will meet with the people concerned before taking a decision. |
| -A suspended player will immediately be notified by the League Committee. |
| -A protest must be raised before or during a game. The reason must be specific to a rule interpretation for the committee to investigate. Umpire judgement calls are not subject to protest. |
| SPECIAL PLAY RULES AND REMINDERS |
| BACKSTOP |
| -Wild pitch from the mound and ball goes out: Every base runner advances up a base but 3rd base runner cannot score. Exception : If bases are loaded, all base runner advances. |
| RIGHT FIELD LINE DEMARCATION |
| -Ground ball goes out of bound past the trees or touching the trees : Automatic double. |
| -Pop fly touching the tree’s leaves : Automatic fouled ball. |
| -Territory for fouled ball near first base is delimited by the telephone pole and fence line (umpire judgement). |
| TELEPHONE POLE IN LEFT FIELD |
| -Pop fly touching the pole above the blue padding mat : Automatic home run. |
| -Otherwise, the ball is in play. |
| LEADING & STEALING BASES |
| -Runner has to wait until ball crosses the plate before leading off. Otherwise, the runner must be called out. |
| -If the ball hits the ground before reaching home plate, the rule does not apply. The runner can lead off and steal at contact with the ground. |
| -It is forbidden to steal home plate unless a play is made at another base or the ball becomes live (wild throw to the pitcher). |
| -If a team is winning by more than 10 runs, for good sportsmanship we ask that you do not steal. |
| OBSTRUCTION |
| -Offensive
interference : Obstruction should be called when a base runner : o impedes a defensive player of making a play (contact while fielding a batted ball or about to receive an immediate thrown ball)Pop fly touching the pole above the blue padding mat : Automatic home run. o make contact with a hit ball o the act may be intentional or unintentional * Effect : Dead ball and the runner is out. |
| -Defensive
interference : Obstruction should be called when a fielder : o impedes the progress of a base runner (first base and third base player obstruct a runner rounding a base) o catcher’s glove make contact with hitter’s bat o is faking a tag w/o having the ball o the act may be intentional or unintentional * Effect : Dead ball and the runner is awarded an extra base. |
| BATS |
| -Teams are not required to share bats. |
| -Legal bats must be certified by the ASA. Moreover, double wall and / or two pieces bat are not allowed by the League. A list of legal bats will be provided before season starts. |
| -Any new hi-tech bat subject to legal issue must be showed to the committee before first usage. |
| -Throwing bat : First time the ump issues a warning. The second time, the player is ejected and receives an automatic one game suspension. |
| PINCH RUNNER |
| -Each team can use a maximum of 3 pinch runners a game, be it for injury or strategy. Game management is required. |
| -It’s
always the last out pinch running : o A woman must run for a woman o A man must run for a man |
| SAFETY |
| -Proper athletic footwear and spikes must be worn. |
| -No sandals allowed on the field. |
| -No metal spikes allowed. Ump must eject a player wearing metal spikes. |
| -Catchers must wear a mask. |
| -No cigarettes, cigars or drinks allowed on the playing field. |
| INTENTIONAL WALKING |
| -We ask that good sportsmanship comes into play and that pitchers do not use this strategy. |
| -We ask girls to try to swing at the pitches and not wait for getting walked. If the ump believes a girl is simply waiting for a walk w/o any intention of swinging, he has authority to call automatic strikes. |
| PITCHING |
| -Your hand can’t come above the shoulder |
| -At delivery, your wrist must be inside the elbow |
| -At least one foot has to be on the rubber strip at the start of wind up |
| -No wrist bands or white T-shirts |
| -Infraction : 1st time will be a warning and 2nd time will be an automatic ball |
| -Pitching to girls : No fastball is permitted (ump judgement). Straight pitches are recommended. Most girls in the League can hit fast straight pitches. |
| INFIELD FLY |
| -Definition : A
fair fly ball (not a line drive or an
attempted bunt) that can be caught with ordinary effort by an infielder
when * Runners are on first and second base, or all bases are occupied * There is none or one out in the inning |
| -The batter is out, the ball is live and runners may advance at their own risk. |
| -The infield fly should immediately be called by the umpire |
| OTHER SPECIFIC RULES |
| -The game rules basics are from Softball Québec rules. |
| -Maximum of 5 infielders. |
| -Once the half inning started, a late arrival player cannot join the playing field. |
| -Late arrival player must be placed at the bottom of the lineup. |
| -No pinch
hitter
is allowed unless a substitution. Your hand can’t come above the shoulder |
| HUDSON MIXED SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES (DRAFT) Apr2007 |