| | Rules and Regulations Mills Pond ParkSoftball League Rules2005-2006Table of contents: 
SECTION 1- LEAGUE ORGANIZATION
(1.1) FORMAT
A. All leagues will consist of a 10 game season plus playoffs for the top 4 (four) teams within the league.
B. League officials reserve the right to amend the format of the league and/or playoffs due to weather or any unforeseen circumstance.
(1.2) SCHEDULES
A. Managers will be called with their first game time prior to the start of the league. Managers must pick up their team’s schedule in the office on their first night of play.
B. Schedules will be posted nightly on the league information board located behind the softball office.
C. Make-Up schedules will be posted on the league information board as need arises. Managers will be called or given a revised schedule with their team’s makeup game time. Managers must provide league office with day and evening contact numbers.
(1.3) SCORING
A. The home team (team listed first on the schedule) will be the official scorekeeper.
B. League office will provide all teams with a team scorebook, to be picked up on the first night of play.
C. It is recommended that both teams keep a scorebook.
D. If the home team does not have an official scorekeeper, the visiting team may become home team by keeping the official scorebook.
E. If neither team keeps the book, the umpire is the official scorer and no protests regarding scoring will be accepted. The umpires’ decision will be final.
F. Scores are reported to the league office via umpires’ scorecard. The winning team must initial the umpire’s scorecard. Standings are updated and posted each night on the league information board located behind the softball office. Please check your standings to make sure they are accurate.
(1.4) MANAGER’S RESPONSIBILITY
The manager is the primary link between their team and league management. It is the manager’s responsibility to obtain all information regarding league play at Mills Pond Park. This responsibility includes:
A. Register team into appropriate league.
B. Attend manager’s meeting.
C. Obtain pertinent league information: rulebooks, schedules and scorebooks.
D. Assume all financial responsibility for league fees. Submit fees and league roster on time.
E. Inform league office of changes in manager’s address and/or telephone number.
F. Have all players sign and completely fill out team roster before third game and submit to league office.
G. Explain Mills Pond rules to team members.
H. Maintain control over team members in all circumstances including disputes on the field. Umpires will discuss disputes on the field with the manager only. Players are not to question an umpire’s call or ruling.
(1.5) MAKE-UP GAMES
All games cancelled (by league office or due to weather) will be made up on the same night of league play when possible. Manager’s will be called with makeup time and date or will be given a revised schedule. Makeup games will be posted.
(1.6) RESCHEDULING GAMES
If at any time, a team is unable to play a scheduled game (due to an unforeseen circumstance) it is our policy to reschedule the game with approval from the opposing team if time permits within the league’s schedule. Rescheduling must be done at least one (1) week in advance or game may not be rescheduled. The team needing the game rescheduled must:
1. Contact the league office (828-8943) about possible
reschedule.
2. Call opposing team regarding game rescheduling.
3. Inform the office of opposing team’s decision.
4. If the game is a middle game (not first or last on the field for the evening) team(s) will be required to pay a $25.00 fee for the administrative/umpire costs associated with rescheduling the game.
The office will then reschedule the game accordingly and notify both teams of the new game time and date.
(1.7) RAINOUTS
A. Mills Pond does not predict the weather. In the event that rain occurs between the time you call and the time you arrive, please be understanding, our primary goal is to safely play softball. If in doubt, come on out!
B. Decisions regarding rainouts are made at 5:30 pm on the day of the game. At this time, if a game is rained out, the message will be updated with the necessary information. If games get rained out at any time during the evening, the message will then be updated accordingly. For rainout information, please call 828–5977. (after 5:30 pm) Please do not call 828-8943 for rainout information, thank you!
C. In the event of rain or inclement weather during a game, the game may be considered official after 5 innings of play (4 ½ if the home team leads).
D. If a rainout occurs during playoff games, the game will be replayed from the start of the game.
(1.8) FORFEITS
A. Any team forfeiting one game may be required to pay a $25 forfeit fee to remain in the league.
B. Any team forfeiting two games (as a no show or without calling the office) may be dropped from the league.
C. Any game forfeited after the legal start of a game will not be counted toward the forfeiting team’s season total.
D. A forfeit game will be scored as 10 – 0.
(1.9) TEAM CLASSIFICATION
A. All Men’s teams will be classified as Division C, 1, 2 and 3.
Coed teams will be classified as Division 1 (advanced), Division 2 (Intermediate), Division 3 ( Recreational) and Corporate Coed 1 and 2.
In the interest of fair play any team registered in Division III will not be allowed to have any tournament players or players deemed to be a detriment to the league (to be determined by league officials). If a team is in violation of this rule, the following penalties may apply:
1st occurrence – illegal player will be ejected from the game, an out will be given in the player’s vacant spot, no substitution will be allowed.
2nd occurrence – game will be forfeited against team in violation of rule.
B. Only Men’s Division C will have 2 umpires; but they must provide their own softballs.
C. All teams are required to remain in the division that they last
participated in while part of the previous softball league with
the following exceptions:
1. Any team will be allowed to move up a division upon registration.
2. Any team finishing first in league and/or playoffs in consecutive seasons will be required to move up to the next highest division. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
3. With league approval only, a team will be permitted to drop down a division.
4. The league reserves the right to move any team up, down or allow them to stay in the same division at our discretion.
D. Any team comprised of 5 or more of the same players as the previous season will be considered a returning team. (Team may be asked to provide complete roster prior to registration.)
E. New teams are asked in the spirit of fair play to place themselves in a division they feel best suited to compete in.
F. The league reserves the right to review any team’s roster and may drop a team from any league due to negligence regarding team classification. NO REFUND will be given once the season has begun.
(1.10) TEAM ROSTER
A. Team rosters are limited to 20 players.
B. Rosters are due before the FIRST played game.
C. An add/drop period will be offered until the seventh played game. After this point, no roster changes will be made - NO EXCEPTIONS!
D. A team’s roster may have no more than three (3) upper division players. If at any time, player eligibility is protested and a team is in violation of this, the team will forfeit the game and must amend the roster to contain only 3 upper division players or team could risk forfeiture of future games.
E. Any team playing in Division 3 may not have any tournament players or any other players deemed to be a detriment to the league on their roster.
F. Rosters must be filled out in complete form: print name, signature, address and phone number. No signature makes for an ineligible player. Once the team’s roster is submitted and signed by a league official, the roster is considered an official roster.
G. The submission of the original roster and any drop/add changes must be made in person at Mills Pond Park.
H. Original rosters (office copy) will be used for any protest involving player eligibility and also during the playoffs. Players must be on the team’s original roster and have matching I.D. to be an eligible player.
I. Team rosters will be checked during all playoff games.
(1.11) PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
A. Players may not compete on more than one team in the same division on the same night. (i.e. Joe’s Bar and Bob’s Bar in the Men’s Division 1 on Tuesday night)
B. Players may compete on more than one team in different divisions on the same night. (i.e. Joe’s Bar in the Men’s division 1A and Bob’s Bar in the Men’s division 1B on Wednesday night)
C. The opposing team only may protest player eligibility until the completion of the 5th inning. After this time, no protests involving player eligibility will be accepted unless a new player enters the game at which time, it must be protested and solved as the new player enters the game either offensively or defensively. Protests will not be accepted until the 3rd week of the season.
1. If a team files a player protest, the protesting team must also have a roster on file. Otherwise the protest will not be accepted.
2. Protests should be made by the coach to the home plate umpire, at which time rosters and I.D.’s will be checked.
3. A league official will be made aware of the protest. The team’s roster (office copy) will be used. If no roster exists, the game will be declared a forfeit in the favor of the protesting team.
4. Players are required to carry a driver’s license or other official I.D. to each game and produce same upon request of an umpire or league official.
D. If in violation, protests will result in forfeiture of the game against the team in violation of the rule.
E. All players must be over the age of 18 in order to play in a game; if a player is under 18 there must be a parental consent.
(1.12) LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
A. League playoffs will be played amongst the top 4 teams within the league. The format will be as follows:
1. 2nd place vs. 3rd place
1st place vs. 4th place
2. The winners of the above will play for the championship.
3. Playoff can be altered due to the number of teams.
B. If two divisions of a league exist (i.e. Men’s division 1A and 1B on Monday nights) the top 4 teams from each division will be admitted to the playoffs, forming an 8 team playoff. The first playoff game will be versus a team from the opposing division, using the same format as above.
C. Playoffs will be held on the same night of league play, following the conclusion of the regular season (time and weather permitting).
D. All playoffs are single elimination. Playoff games are scheduled for one hour and fifteen minutes to allow for roster check.
E. Players may play for any team during divisional playoffs provided they are on the team’s original roster. Only one team per division. (rule 1.11 A)
F. Rosters will be checked during all playoff games. Players must produce official identification to match their name and signature on the roster.
G. Highest seed will be made home team (or visitor if they chose). If teams have the same seed, home team will be determined by
coin flip. Home team for all championship games will be determined by coin flip.
H. There will be a run rule during all playoff games ( 2.11).
I. There will be a tiebreaker (Kansas City tie-breaker (2.6)) and a time limit during all playoff games except the final championship game.
J. There will be no time limit or tiebreaker during the championship game of playoffs. There will be a run rule. (2.11)
K. If a rainout occurs during a playoff game, the game will be replayed from the start of the game.
L. During playoffs all protests must be addressed at the time protest is introduced.
(1.13) LEAGUE STANDINGS
A. Current league standings will be posted at the fields on the night of play. It is the manager’s responsibility to check them for correctness and notify league administration of any errors.
B. Final league standings will be determined at the conclusion of each leagues regular season.
C. All end of the regular season ties will be settled by the following tie-breaking system:
1. Head to head won-loss record, if still tied…
2. Head to head point differential, if still tied…
3. Total runs against
4. Total runs for
5. Won loss record versus best common opponent, if still tied…
6. Point differential versus best common opponent
(1.14) INSURANCE
Players, managers and spectators are not protected by medical or liability insurance while on Mills Pond Park property (City of Fort Lauderdale) Everyone is encouraged to purchase insurance either independently or through the Sportsplex Owners and Directors of America (SODA) team insurance plan. Contact league office for insurance details.
(1.15) LEAGUE/ PLAYOFF AWARDS
A. Team awards are given for 1st and 2nd place teams for both
league and playoff winners.
B. Individual awards (12) are given for 1st place teams for both league and playoff winners.
SECTION 2 – GAME RULES
(2.1) GOVERNING RULES
All games will be played under Mills Pond Park rules with reference to the USSSA rulebook for game rules not covered in the Mills Pond Park rulebook.
(Teams will be allowed to pitch within 6 feet beyond the rubber)
(2.2) REQUIRED NUMBER OF PLAYERS
(Coed division has an exception to this rule see Coed Rules 2.12a)
A. Nine (9) players must be present at game time or a forfeit will be declared.
B. A tenth player may be added anytime before the start of the fifth inning.
C. If a team starts with ten (10) players and one player is ejected or leaves the game for any reason (except injury rule 2.4) the team may continue the game with nine (9) players, but will receive an out in the position of the ejected or vacated player.
D. If a team starts with eleven (11) players and one or two players are ejected or leave the game for any reason, except injury (see rule 2.4) the team may continue the game with ten (10) players or (9) players, but will receive an out in the position of the ejected or vacated player(s).
(2.3) EXTRA PLAYER
(Coed division has an exception to this rule- see Coed Rules 2.12a)
A. The extra player (EP) is the eleventh player and may only be inserted at the start of the game. This person is an extra hitter and is not in the game defensively.
B. If a team begins the game with the (EP) and a player is ejected and no other substitutes are available, the (EP) may be an eligible substitute to play defensively. However, the vacancy in the batting order resulting from the ejected player will be considered an automatic out.
C. At any time during the game, the (EP) may enter to play defensively, switching the defensive player to the (EP). The original (EP) must remain in the same place in the batting order for the entire game.
(2.4) INJURED PLAYER
(Coed division has an exception to this rule see Coed Rules 2.12a)
If a player is injured during a game, the team will not be penalized with an out in the spot of the injured player.
(2.5) REGULATION- OFFICIAL GAME
A. Game length is seven innings or when the one hour, five minute time limit has expired.
B. In the event of rain or any other unforeseen circumstance, a game may be considered official after 5 innings of play, 4 ½ if the home team leads.
C. All games tied at the end of a regulation game, will be played to completion using the Kansas City tie breaker (2.6). Except for the
championship playoff game.
D. Each batter will start with one-one count with an extra foul.
(2.6) KANSAS CITY TIE BREAKER
If the score is tied after seven innings or the time limit expires the offensive team will place the last official batter on second base. The next batter in the lineup will start with a full count (one pitch). This procedure is repeated until a winner is declared.
(2.7) GAME TIME
A. The game times for the leagues are 6:45pm, 7:45pm, 8:45pm and 9:45pm. The games will be scheduled on the hour with a time limit of one hour and 5 minutes or 7 innings whichever comes first.
B. Umpire’s keep the official time. It is the coaches’ responsibility to get the start time from the home plate umpire so there is no discrepancy at the end of a game. The game time should be posted.
C. Playoff games are scheduled for one hour and 15 minutes to allow for efficient roster check.
(2.8) GRACE PERIOD
A. A ten (10) minute automatic grace period will be given for the first game of the evening. The game time will then be played assuming the original game time.
B. There will be no grace period for any scheduled game after the first game on each field.
(2.9) COURTESY RUNNER
A. Each team will be allowed two (2) courtesy runners per game. The runner will be that player who has made the last previous out.
B. If there are no outs in the game in the first inning the last player in the official line up will be the courtesy runner.
C. If the last out is up to bat or on deck, the next available out, even if in the prior inning will be the courtesy runner.
D. Time must be called and the umpire must be notified of the use of a courtesy runner.
E. If a player is injured and both courtesy runners have been used, the injured player will be declared out if they are unable to continue to play.
F. The penalty for using the wrong courtesy runner is that the runner is out. An appeal must be made before the next pitch is delivered.
(2.10) HOME RUN LIMITS
Per team, per division:
- Men’s Division C Unlimited home runs per game
- Men’s Division 1 3 home runs per game
- Men’s Division 2 *1 up (maximum 3 per game)
- Men’s Division 3 0 home runs per game
- Coed Division 1 *1 up (maximum 3 per game)
- Coed Division 2 1 home run per game
- Coed Division 3 0 home runs per game
- Corporate Coed
Division 1 *1 up (maximum 3 per game)
- Corporate Coed
Division 2 1 per game
Any home run hit after the teams limit will be considered an out.
Players only need to advance one base after a home run is hit.
*NOTE: The 1 up limit in Men’s Division 2, Coed Division 1 and Corporate Coed 1, once either team has hit a home run, the other team may hit a home run. If team A has hit a home run, they can not hit another home run until team B hits a home run and vice versa until the total reaches 3.
(2.12) RUN RULE
There is a run rule of 12 after 5 complete innings of play, or 20 after any complete inning.
(2.12a) COED RULES
A. Teams should have an equal number of males & females (10 players). Teams may start the game with a minimum of 9 players (male/and or female breakdown must be 4 or 5 of either sex) and a maximum of 12 players if the (EP) rule is utilized – both a male and female (EP) must be used.
B. The batting line up shall consist of alternating sexes with a female leading off.
C. If a team begins with 9 players, an automatic out is given in the spot of the missing male/female. The missing person’s out must be taken at the end of the batting order (9th out if female, 10th if male). The automatic out is waived when the first of two same-sex batters is walked.
D. In the event of an injury, the (EP) – male/female may be used as an eligible substitute with the extra (EP) – male/female being dropped. If no (EP) or other eligible substitute is available, an automatic out is given in the spot of the injured player.
E. When a male batter is walked, the following female batter has the option of accepting a walk or taking her normal at bat. The male is awarded first and second base and must touch bases in order. (Defensive team must appeal before the next pitch)
F. Defensive positioning shall consist of the following:
3 males and 3 females in the infield in any position
2 males and 2 females in the outfield in any position
G. At no time may the number of players in the game from either sex exceed five (six if the (EP’s) are used).
H. Both males and females will use the 12” ball. The 200’ foot line will be in effect when females are at bat. Outfielders may not be inside the line; infielders are not allowed to play in the grass until the ball is batted into play. Penalty – batter is automatically awarded first and second base and must touch both bases in order. All runners will advance, if forced.
I. Home Run Limits Per Game:
Division 1 *** 1up (limit 3) (See Sec 2.10)
Division 2 (1)
Division 3 (0)- Except for Men’s Division 3 (1)
(2.12b) CORPORATE COED
A. A team must have a minimum of three females on the playing field at all times, more than three females may play. If only two females are available, the team may play with 9, no (EP) can be used and an out must be taken in the spot of the missing female. One female will play in the infield and one in the outfield when this occurs.
B. One female must be in the infield and one in the outfield. The third female may play infield or outfield.
C. Females may be in any position in the batting line up.
D. Home Run Limits Per Game:
Corporate Coed 1 *** 1 up (limit 3)
Corporate Coed 2 1
*** In Corporate Coed 1, the home run limit will be 3. The games will be played with a 1-up rule. If Team A hits a home run then Team B can hit one or vice versa. Once both teams have hit one home run and Team B has not hit any, Team A cannot hit their second until Team B has hit there first or vice versa. The same for the third home run.
E. If a male batter is walked, the female has the option of accepting the walk or hitting. The male is awarded first and second base and must touch both bases in order.
F. The 200’ foot line for females will be in effect. (See Coed Rules)
G. The (EP) may be utilized, but you must have an extra male and
an female, to make the total number of players in the lineup 12.
If both the male and female are not available, the (EP) may not
be utilized.
H. The courtesy runner must be of the same sex as the original runner.
(2.13) FORFEITS
A. If team forfeits, the score will be recorded as 10 – 0.
B. If a team is unable to play a game, please follow the rescheduling procedures or if it is last minute, call the league office so the opposing team may be notified.
(2.14) SLIDE RULE
Any runner advancing to the next base (where a play may be made at the previous base) must slide or be completely out of the base path when the defensive player is making a play. The defensive player must attempt to make a play. Penalty – a dead ball is called, the runner not sliding or getting out of the base path is out and the runner at the base behind him/her is also out.
(2.15) GATE RULE
Gates must be closed at all times. Penalty – if the ball goes into the dugout of the defensive team, runners advance one base from the last occupied base. If the ball goes in the dugout of the offensive team, it is dead ball and the runners do not advance.
(2.16) PLAYER CONDUCT
A. It shall be the responsibility of the manager to control the actions of his/her players and fans. Only team members and scorekeepers are permitted on the team bench.
B. Smoking or drinking of alcoholic beverages will not be permitted. Anyone drinking alcoholic beverages during the course of his/her game will be ejected, no questions asked. This includes on the field, on the bench, the ground surrounding the field, the parking lot or any other area within the confines of the park!
C. Unsportsmanlike conduct of any type or infractions of the rules
could mean ejection from the game with the possibility of forfeiture or suspension.
D. Derogatory remarks, profanity, threats or physical force directed toward any game official, department employee, other players, coaches or spectators will not be tolerated. These actions could result in suspension.
(2.17) PLAYER EJECTION
A. A player ejected from a game for misconduct may be subject to the following minimum penalties: (coach will be notified with length of player(s) suspension)
1. 1st Ejection – 1 week suspension. He/she cannot play on any team he/she plays on during this time. (Ex. Player ejected Sun. Jan. 1 cannot play week of Jan 2 – 8, can resume play Mon. Jan 9)
2. 2nd Ejection – 30 day suspension from all league play.
3. 3rd Ejection – 6 month suspension from the date of ejection for all league play.
B. A player may appeal the 30 day and the 6 month suspension to the league office. The appeal must be made in writing to the League Director. The player suspension will begin at time of ejection, regardless of appeal. The appeal will be addressed when the situation arises.
C. In any infraction, the league reserves the right to amend/determine the justification and/or length of suspension.
D. If a player participates in a game during suspension, he/she will be further penalized; the team for which he/she played for will forfeit the game.
(2.18) RE-ENTRY RULE
Any of the starting players may withdraw and re-enter once, providing such player occupies the same batting position, whenever he/she in the line up. A substitute, who is withdrawn, may not re-enter. All substitutions must be reported to the home plate umpire.
SECTION 3 – EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS
(3.1) BALLS
A. The City will provide all approved balls.
B. The City will provide only one new and one back-up ball per game. If a ball goes foul (over the fence), or a home run is hit, it is the team’s responsibility to retrieve the ball. NO EXCEPTIONS! The game will be stopped if a ball is not available, until the ball is retrieved.
(3.2) BATS
A. All bats approved by USSSA are legal for league play at Mills Pond.
B. All bats must be marked with the words “Official Softball” and should be marked with a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.20 or less.
C. No altered bats will be allowed.
D. No titanium bats will be allowed.
E. A player in violation (using an illegal bat) will be ejected from the game. An out is called and all action is nullified.
(3.3) UNIFORMS
Teams are encouraged to wear like uniforms. However, there is no mandatory uniform rule. Shirts and athletic shoes must be worn at all times. Hats are optional.
(3.4) METAL – TIPPED CLEATS
No metal-tipped cleats are to be worn in league play. A player wearing metal tipped cleats will be asked to remove them.
SECTION 4 – PROTEST POLICY
(4.1) VALID PROTEST
Protests will be accepted in the case of rule interpretation only. No “judgment” call can be protested. Umpires are instructed to accept all protests regardless of their validity and must note it on the scorecard.
(4.2) PROTEST PROCEDURE
A. The notification of Intent to Protest must be made immediately before the next pitch, if it is the conclusion of the game, it must be done before both teams leave the field of play. Once the game is complete and both teams have left the field, no protest can be filed.
B. The manager or acting manager of the protesting team shall immediately notify the plate umpire that the game is being played under protest. The plate umpire shall in turn notify the opposing manager and official scorekeeper. The protest will be noted on the umpire’s scorecard.
C. The official protest must be filed in writing 24 hours after the start of the game and submitted to the league director (with a $30 fee) at Mills Pond Park. The written protest must contain the following:
1. Date, time of game, field game played on
2. The rule and section of the USSSA/Mills Pond rule under which protest is being filed.
3. The umpire’s ruling and why it was incorrect. (cite a rule)
D. Protest fee will be returned only if protest is upheld.
E. During divisional playoffs, all protests must be addressed at the time the protest is introduced.
SECTION 5 – PARK POLICY
(5.1) ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Alcoholic Beverages purchased outside Mills Pond Park will not be permitted to be brought into the softball complex. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the playing field or in the dugouts. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in the parking lot is strictly prohibited in all City of Ft. Lauderdale Parks unless a permit is obtained.
(5.2) COOLERS
Coolers are not permitted within the softball complex
(5.3) PETS
No pets of any kind are allowed in the park.
(5.4) PARK RULES
The Park will determine any situation not covered in these rules. In addition, Mills Pond Park reserves the right to interpret any and all rules and situations and further reserves the right to insert, delete, or change rules at any time and make decisions retroactive should it be deemed necessary for the benefit of the league. | |
