Softball Rules and bylaws

PURPOSE:

The Indoor Softball League is dedicated to promoting amateur girls’ softball. The focus is placed on the development of softball skills and the enjoyment of playing the game. Our goal is to teach softball fundamentals, build confidence and self-esteem and teach the responsibilities of sportsmanship and being a good team player. 

MEMBERSHIP:

Teams– Must register at www.drindoorsportsarena.com

Coaches– Must have background checks and Safesport requirements met at www.registerusasoftball.com 

Players – Will be given waivers that need to be filled out and signed by parents. 

Rosters – Players and teams should be insured and registered with USA SOFTBALL at www.registerusasoftball.com

DIVISIONS:

The league shall be divided into 2 groups.

1. Division      12U/14U
2. Division      16U/18U

ANNUAL MEETING:

The annual meeting(s) typically take place approximately one month before the season starts. Teams are expected to have representation at the meeting so that proper planning can take place and rules can be reviewed. 

EQUIPMENT:

· ASA approved equipment must be used; including a safety base at first and a NOCSAE approved helmet and face- mask guard.

· HEAVY Bases will be used.

·Anyone warming up a pitcher must wear a mask.

· Balls: Supplied by D&R Sports. 12” softies 

·Teams are responsible for their own uniforms and each player must wear a uniform if they are participating in the game.

GAME FORMATS and RULES:

· Scheduled on Sundays between the hours of 12pm and 5:30pm 

· Season will be 7 weeks and include playoffs with trophies 

· All games are 85 minutes, drop dead finish the batter. Exception to this rule is during playoffs. Playoffs require you to finish the inning. For example, if 5 minutes remain on the clock a new complete inning may start and extra time will be granted to complete.

· The home team is determined by a coin flip before the start of the game 

· Games played on field A and B will have staggered start times by 30 minutes apart. This will allow teams enough room to warmup. Teams playing on field A will have the warmup area when first entering the building. Teams playing on field B will get the opposite side to warmup. 

· 4 runs are allowed per inning MAX. If 4 runs have been scored, that half-inning is over. 

· We will use 12” softie balls

· Free substitution

· The continuous batting order is allowed but not mandatory

· The ball is live off the nets and walls in fair territory. NEW exception to this rule. If for any reason the ball goes on the other side of the net for any period of time and then drops back into play, it will be declared dead and the batter will get a do-over.

· NEW RULE: Because of the larger fields used in the Topsfield arena the right fielder is allowed to throw directly to 1st base to get an out

· No Stealing Home on passed balls - only able to score home on a HIT ball. NEW exception to this rule is if the catcher puts the ball in play by trying to throw a runner out at any base, then the runner is free to steal any base.

• Teams must play their games according to the league schedule. If for some reason your team is not able to play on an assigned date, you must take a forfeit. When posting a forfeit, the proper score per the ASA is 7-0 

• Winning team is required to report the score to the designated standings keeper

· Base coaches may be either adults or players (players must wear a helmet).

· If the game is tied at the end of an official game and there is still time on the clock, the international tie- breaker rule will be put into effect. If the time limit is reached and the score is still tied, then it is recorded as a tie. Exception to this rule is during playoffs. If tied during playoffs we will use the internation tie breaker rule until a winner is declared regardless of time. 

· No food, drinks, or gum allowed on the turf

· Only turf shoes or sneakers are on the field. NO cleats

Additional Rules

·  14U/Middle School Teams can field 9 or 10 players.

• Girls are strongly encouraged      to wear a safety mask. 14U/Middle      school Pitcher, 1st base, and 3rd base is required      to wear one

· No Slashing

· Infield Fly applies

· Drop Third applies

· No Penalty for using only 8 players

· If less than 8 players the score is a forfeit regardless of outcome - but teams should try and borrow players and get the game in!!!

· Pitching distance is 43” 

Roster Rules

· Teams should keep copies of their roster with them during games

· Teams can not add players to their roster after week 5. If using a player not rostered after week 5 the team must take a forfeit. Any new player after week 5 is not eligible for playoffs

Zero Tolerance Policy

Purpose: The league strongly encourages healthy, age appropriate competition. However, this ideal can only be reached through the principles of Good Sportsmanship. 

A zero tolerance policy is just that; zero tolerance. This document serves as your warning. The policy applies to anyone and everyone connected with the Our Softball League, e.g. players, coaches, parents, fans and umpires.

An umpire’s decision on fair/foul, safe/out and ball/strike is final. They are judgment calls and not subject to complaint, debate or protest. 

· Coaches who argue or comment in a negative fashion shall immediately be ejected from the game. The ejection carries a two game suspension. In addition, the coach may be required attend a hearing at the office of the ASA Commissioner before resuming coaching duties. The length of the suspension may be extended as a result of the facts presented at the hearing.

· Players who argue or engage in negative behavior shall be immediately ejected from the game. The player must serve a two game suspension. Players will be confined to their bench area for the remainder of the game and any additional outbursts will result in a forfeit.

· Parents / Fans who argue or engage in negative behavior (yelling, teasing, taunting, etc.) shall be removed from the playing area. Play will stop while this process is carried out. However, the time limit for the game will NOT be suspended. The head coach for the team will approach the unruly fan(s) and inform them they must leave. If the parent or fan refuses to leave within one minute, the game will end with a forfeit charged against the offending team and based upon the report, the league reserves the right to cancel their next game as well.

· Any argument or disagreement that becomes physical, in any way, will result in an immediate, indefinite suspension for any adult involved. Players involved in any physical misconduct will be subject to a hearing with the our League administrators, the ASA Commissioner(s) and the player’s parent.

· Any team involved in a second ejection issue during the season will be excluded from the league for the remainder of the year.

· Any team involved in any of these situations is not eligible for a Division Championship. 

One coach may ask for “time-out” to speak with the umpire regarding a question over a rule interpretation. A brief, respectful conversation is expected. If the situation remains unresolved, the team may exercise its right to play the game under protest based on the incorrect rulebook interpretation.