Elia and Esther Freedman
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Tualatin-Aloha-Beaverton Evangelical Church softball League

 

Tualatin-Aloha-Beaverton (TAB) Evangelical Church Softball League: Slow Pitch Softball Rules 2004

 

Unless amended by the following, official ASA slow pitch softball rules will apply.

ADMINISTRATION

  1. The governing board of the league consists of the coach of each team participating in the league in the given year.
  2. All decisions are subject to vote by the governing board, with the coach (or designee) of each member team having one vote. The League Coordinate and Organizer will have one vote (inclusive) in the event of a tie.
  3. All major rule changes shall be voted on in a face-to-face meeting prior to the beginning of the Season.
  4. There shall be no major rule changes after the season has begun. Only minor administrative changes and clarifications can be made (by the coordinator and organizer) without such a meeting.
  5. Fields for season play are provided by Tualatin Valley Community Church and Life Church.
  6. Umpires will be paid at a yearly-determined rate. ASA registered umpires will be paid $2 per game more then non-ASA registered umpires.
  7. A single set of ground rules will be published for the use at all games on the pre-assigned fields. These ground rules will be followed to the letter with NO exceptions.                                                  
  8. Players and umpires participate at their own risk. The fees charged by TAB Softball League do not include any type of medicos insurance.

FLIGHTS AND THE SEASON

  1. The League will schedule ten (10) games per team in a season, unless otherwise specified prior to the start of the season:
    • If a team drops out after the season schedule has been set, and no replacement is available, the other teams in that flight may have a bye for one of their 10 games.
  2. There will be a minimum of 2 flights to allow teams to play all of the teams within their own flight unless the governing board votes to play all teams on the schedule.
  3. If there are not enough teams in each flight to allow for 10 games playing only within the flight, "cross-flight" games will be played to bring the total game count to 10.
  4. Cross-flight games do not count in season standings, unless there is a tie.
  5. Team names will be "drawn from a hat" to determine flights:
    • Churches with multiple teams will be split between the divisions.
    • The top 4 finishers from the previous year will be split between the divisions.
  6. There will be a playoff for League Championship, constituting of no more then half the League teams. The playoff teams will be the top teams from each flight. If wildcards are needed, they will be determined by:
    • Best record overall.
    • Cross-flight record.
    • Most runs scored for.
    • Least runs scored against.
  7. The playoffs will be a single elimination tournament, with byes for the top teams if necessary. The top four (4) places will receive a trophy.
  8. Home team for the first round of the playoffs will be based upon best season record. Subsequent games shall be decided by the flip of a coin at game time.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND ROSTERS

Players

  1. Players must be 16 years old by May 22. The intention of the league is to provide the men with recreational activity. 15 year olds may be considered in hardship cases, by discussion with the League Coordinator.
  2. A player may play on only one team in the League.

 

Rosters

  1. The Team Roster and Entry Fee must be turned in prior to the first (1st) league game.
  2. Playoff teams MUST submit a new roster, at the latest, two (2) weeks before the first playoff game. A player will not be eligible for participation in the playoffs unless he has played in at least two (2) regular season games, even if he has been on the roster all season.
  3. Any changes to the Team Roster must be submitted to the League Coordinator before the game in which that individual plays.

REPORTING SCORES

  1. The winning team is responsible to call in the score to the League Scorekeeper after each game. If no score is called in within seven (7) days after the game, it will be recorded as a loss or no game for both teams.

SCHEDULING

  1. In the event that a team needs to reschedule a game, the team with the scheduling conflict is responsible for finding a field (from open games on the schedule), and scheduling the makeup game. In the event that no available date can be agreed upon for the rescheduled game, the team with the scheduling conflict will forfeit the game.
  2. In the event of a rainout, the home team is responsible for finding a field (from the open games on the schedule), and scheduling the make-up game. In the event that no available date can be agreed upon for the rescheduled game, the game shall be recorded as a tie.
  3. To reschedule a game:
    • Contact the League Scheduler to find open dates.
    • Call the other team and finalize the date that works for both.
    • Call the League Scheduler back to confirm. The League Scheduler will arrange for an umpire.
  1. Restrictions:
    • Umpires are scheduled two (2) weeks in advance. Therefore, there will be a $5 fee for any schedule change less than 14 days from game day.
    • Same day reschedules (except for rainouts) will be charged an $18 fee.

PLAYER CONDUCT

  1. The intention of the League is Christian Fellowship, fun and exercise.
  2. It is the responsibility of each coach to ensure that his team fully understands these rules. Unchristian attitudes and activities should be dealt with before they become a problem.
  3. Profanity of any kind will not be tolerated:
    • First instance: a team warning will be issued.
    • Subsequent instances: player's ejection from the game.
  4. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. It is cause for immediate ejection from the game (see Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Conduct). Unsportsmanlike conduct by spectators is also within the Umpire's authority. He or she can choose to eject the individual from the premises or forfeit the game.
  5. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their spectators. If a spectator is hassling the Umpires or players, the Umpire will give one warning to let the spectator know the behavior is unacceptable. If the behavior continues and the coach does not take care of it, the offending spectator's team will forfeit the game. Both coaches must work together to resolve behavior problems.

 

Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Conduct

  1. Instances of flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct will result in the following suspensions:
    • First instance: removal from the park and a one (1) game suspension. This suspension carries over into the playoffs, if necessary.
    • Second instance: removal from the park and suspension for the remainder of the season.
  1. The procedure for a flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct ejection is as follows:
    • The Umpire will immediately inform the coach that the player has been ejected for flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct.
    • The Umpire will put a note in the scorebook of the player's first and last name as well as the inning in which he was ejected.
    • The Umpire will notify the League Coordinator or Organizer that same evening to inform them of the situation. A written letter will follow.
    • The League Coordinator or Organizer will inform the umpire and opposing coach of the next game in which the player has been suspended.
    • The League Coordinator and Organizer will keep track of flagrant ejections for use in season suspension situations.

PROTESTS

  1. Only coaches may discuss calls with the Umpire. Discussions are not encouraged, as the Umpire's judgment is not open for debate. Please abide by the Umpire's decision.
  2. A protest situation should never occur. However, if a situation does arise, notify the League Coordinator immediately after the game. Be sure that you get the Umpire's name and inform him/her or your intention to protest at the time of the disagreement.
  3. Protests must be submitted on the field per ASA rules.
  4. If the involved coaches and the League Coordinator cannot resolve the protest, a vote will be taken from all coaches (see the section on Administration).
  5. If the protest is upheld, the game will be replayed, from the point of the protest.

FACILITY REGULATIONS

  1. Tualatin Valley Community Church and Life Church of Aloha are Alcohol and Tobacco free zones. Drinking and smoking are not permitted.
  2. Drinking or Smoking on Beaverton School District property is strictly forbidden by the school district.

 

 

 

THE GAME

THE FIELD

  1. Fitness of the field of play is subject to the agreement of both coaches. If the coaches cannot agree, the Umpire will cast the deciding vote.
  2. The home and visiting benches will be designated by signs at each field.
  1. Umpires will follow ground rules as posted on the league web site. If no ground rules are posted, the umpire has the ability to make ground rules as he/she feels is appropriate.

EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS

  1. The ball shall be an ASA-approved software with a .44 core.
  2. All official softball or baseball mitts or gloves, of regulation size, are valid in all positions.
  3. Metal spikes are not allowed.
  4. See the Bat List on the league web site for allowed and disallowed equipment.
  5. It is recommended that catchers wear a mask.
  6. Uniforms need not be alike in color, trim and style, nor is a uniform number required. Sliding pants and undershirts need not be alike in color and style.

PLAYERS AND FORFEIT

  1. A minimum of seven (7) players is required to start or continue a game. A ten (10) minute waiting period will be allowed before the game is forfeited. This time is subtracted from the playing time.
  2. In the event of a forfeit for insufficient players (after the 10 minute delay), the game may be played "just for fun", BUT the forfeit holds, regardless of which team wins. Once the game has been forfeited, any players may be used for this "just for fun" game (e.g. wives, visitors, umpires, juveniles, shared players, etc.). All other regular playing rules stand.
  3. Upon mutual team coach request, Umpires will officiate games forfeited due to insufficient players.
  4. The length of a Forfeited game will not extended beyond the originally allocated game time (1 hour, 15 minutes). The game will be stopped at any point, once the time limit has been reached.
  5. Games forfeited for reasons other than insufficient players will not be played.

GAME TIME AND COMPLETE GAMES

  1. The Umpire's watch is the official time.
  2. Games will begin as noted in the schedule and will have a 1 hour, 15 minute time limit. No new inning will begin after the 1 hour, 15 minute time limit, but an inning begun before the limit will be completed.
  3. A game is considered official if 4-1/2 innings are completed with the home team leading or 5 innings are completed with the visiting team leading.
  4. As above, each team must have the minimum required number of players at the scheduled game time. If a team does not have enough players, a ten (10) minute grace period will be given with the time subtracted from available game time.
  5. If the score is tied at the end of the game, play will continue into extra innings only if the time limit has not been reached. Official length tie games called because of darkness, weather, or time will be recorded as a tie.
  6. Games called because of darkness or weather that are not official length will be rescheduled. Play will continue from the point at which the game was called.
  7. If one team is ahead by 12 or more runs after the fifth inning is completed (or 4-1/2 innings if the home team is ahead), the game shall be considered complete. No other run limits apply.

START OF THE GAME

  1. All players for both teams shall gather around home plate before the start of the game.
  2. The Home Team will offer prayer.
  3. The Home team will furnish one, new ASA-approved softball for each game (provided by the League). The visiting team will furnish one, good, white, used league softball.

BLOOD RULE

  1. Visible blood on a person or uniform does not necessitate removal from the game.
  2. If the injured player would like to treat the wound prior to continuation, he may request a temporary play stoppage, or may remove himself until the wound is treated.
  3. If the injured player was on base at the time he removes himself from the game, and there is no legal substitute (the courtesy runner is not valid in this situation), he is recorded as an out.

SUBSTITUTIONS

  1. Courtesy runners are allowed if the player becomes injured during the game being played:

·         If a player becomes injured during the game, it is his and his coach's decision if he continues to play. If he decides to leave the game, he is bypassed without penalty as per 2.

·         If the player decides to continue to play, but cannot run, a courtesy runner will be provided.

·         The injured player must bat and safely reach first base. The player who was last out will then replace him.

·         The courtesy runner will continue to be provided throughout the game or until the player decides to remove himself from the game.

·         If the injured player continues past first (a definite attempt toward second or beyond) he will be considered not injured and the courtesy runner will no longer be provided.

  1. Each team may "bat the roster" or any subset of all players present. Each team must declare their intention to bat the roster (or subset) or play a conventional (ASA rules) lineup before the game begins. No additions to the rotating roster may be made after the roster has batted one complete cycle:
    • Free substitution will be allowed only if you are "batting the roster". If you choose to bat only 10 or 11 (assuming there are other players available), then the official rules for substitution will apply.
    • Substitutions may be made in the original batting lineup in the conventional manner.
  2. An injured player will be bypassed without penalty in the "whole roster" situation. However, if there are other players available, the injured player must be replaced by a legal substitute.
  3. You must bat a minimum of ten (10) players, if they are available. You may play with as little as seven (7), but you may not hold anyone out of the batting order.
  4. BATTING OUT OF ORDER: Contrary to ASA rules, all other play stands unless the batter called out for batting out of order is the third out. In that case, all play is nullified.

FAVORABLE APPEAL

  1. After time is called, a player may appeal a favorable call if:
    • The player appealing the call is the player most closely involved in the call being appealed; and
    • The call, if successfully appealed, would be against the best interest of the team of the player appealing.
  2. If the non-appealing team puts pressure on the player to appeal, the umpire will not consider the appeal.
  3. In all cases, Home Plate is exempt from favorable appeals.
  4. Force plays at first base are exempt from favorable appeals.
  5. If there is more than one umpire present, the favorable appeal rule will not apply.

OTHER

  1. Contrary to ASA rules, no stealing is allowed.