2019
MIDDLESEX RETIRED SOFTBALL LEAGUE
ARTICLE V (RULES OF PLAY)
February 12, 2019
The League shall adhere to
the current SSUSA rules and regulations for all playing matters, except as
provided in the League rules of play. League rules take precedence over
all other rules.
Before the start of each
softball season, the League Board will review and decide on playing rules that
shall be in the best interest of the League. The Board shall also adopt a
schedule for the regular season. Subsequent suggested revisions to
individual regular season game dates, times, and fields may be made with the
approval of the Executive Board.
The Executive Board shall
consist of the Commissioner, the Associate Commissioner, and the manager of
each team.
Each member will have one
vote. In the case of an individual
serving in two capacities, they will only have one vote.
Majority rules with ties
broken by the Commissioner.
The Executive Board will
authorize any rule changes and any roster additions during the season.
Due to the potential absence
of any manager, each team must designate an “Assistant Manager” who will manage
field operations and will participate in discussions and have voting privileges
and responsibilities in the absence of the manager.
The current
League rules of play are as follows:
1.
Team field strength will be a maximum
of eleven (11) players and a minimum of nine (9). If during the game a
player is injured the team may continue with less than 9 players. A team may
use 11 defensive players even if the opposing team has less than 11 players. With
only 10 players, one (1) player must be “borrowed” from the
other team for defensive purposes only without a forfeit called. A maximum of
one (1) player may be borrowed and this borrowed player must be placed in and
execute the catching position only.
Lineup
headcount differences: If the number of players for
one team exceeds the number of players for the opposing team by 3 or more
players, the two opposing managers should work together so that the team with
more players loans 1 or more players to the team short players. This should be done to maintain the
competitive balance of the game, meaning the loaned players should be
representative level players. This
action is specifically designed to eliminate or mitigate the inherent advantage
a team batting fewer players sometimes enjoys.
2.
Eligibility: Before the start of or
during a game, an opposing manager may require a player to provide proper
identification to confirm his age or roster eligibility. If a manager has
reason to believe that an opponent's team includes (an) ineligible player(s),
he may play the game under protest, with a subsequent investigation and ruling
to be made by the League Executive Board.
Playerautomatic must turn 58 in the current
calendar year.
3.
A game will be forfeited if a
team cannot field a minimum of nine (9) players, fifteen (15) minutes after
the scheduled starting time or during play. If both teams cannot field
nine men, then both teams forfeit the game.
4.
Game Length and modifications based on weather conditions
A.
Game Length; All games will be 7 innings in
length, with each batter starting with a ball/strike count of 0 and 0.
B.
No Courtesy Foul: NO COURTESY FOUL
when starting at 0/0 count. Any foul at 2 strikes is an out.
C.
Warm ups between innings: After the 1st
inning, pitchers will have 3 warm up pitches and infielders 1 warm up throw
each.
D. Exceptions:
1. Weather: In the event of temperatures of 90 degrees or higher, the
opposing managers may agree to play shortened games of 5 innings in length and/or
institute a ball/strike count of 1 and 1 with Courtesy Foul.
5.
There will be ROUND ROBIN batting
(i.e., everyone bats, whether or not playing in the field). There is no penalty
if an injured player is unable to bat. All runners must run to 1st
base before using a pinch runner. Official
“Taxi Squad members are not required to bat or play the field if attending a
game. Taxi Squad designation is
determined by the Executive Board in conjunction with the authorization of the
opening rosters. Managers may agree upon
the use of a Designated Hitter (player does not have to play the field) if that
player is listed on the Taxi and Injured list as part of the opening rosters.
6.
Players over 80 have the
choice to use a rabbit runner from home plate who must be the last batted out.
7.
There shall be no designated
runner from home plate. A player may not be thrown out
at first base from the outfield on a clean hit UNLESS the player (now a runner)
makes a turn towards second base.
A. If a ball is hit cleanly
through or over the infield UNTOUCHED and is not caught in the air, the batter
is awarded first base. If there are runners on base, they may be forced out at
any other base or plate. However the
original batter cannot be put out at first base. (This rule is designed to let
slower runners reach base on a clean hit and eliminated the designated runner
(the rabbit) from home plate. Runners
on base but not forced, may advance at their own risk.
B. If an infielder touches a
batted ball in fair territory, that infielder or any other defensive player may
complete the defensive play including throwing the batter out at first base.
C. The mid-fielder or rover
can play as an infielder or outfielder as long as the 4 other infielders are on
the dirt of the infield and the 4 outfielders are on the outfield grass. The mid-fielder is subject to the rules
stated above.
D. The automatic single rule will be re-interpreted to be a ball centric rule. The rule is as follows:
Whenever a batted ball hits the ground in the outfield grass
before touching any defensive player (including such player's glove, uniform,
or hat), the batter-runner will be automatically awarded first base and
therefore cannot be forced out at first base.
Notes:
1. This rule does not affect any runner
going to 2nd, 3rd or home.
2. It does not matter where any
defensive player is situated in the field either before or after the ball is
batted.
3. The same rules for catching a fly
ball will apply in determining whether the ball hits the ground in the
outfield.
8.
There is no rule governing individual
playing time in the field; however, team Managers must make every
effort to give sufficient playing time to all players who desire it.
Player complaints about inadequate playing time in the field will be addressed
to and ruled on by the League Board.
9.
There is free substitution
in the field; i.e., a player may be removed from the field of play and
reinstated at any time thereafter without liability, including pitchers.
10.
Base runners may not leave a base until the pitched ball crosses home
plate.
11.
There is no limit on Pinch
Runners except that the same pinch runner may run only once during the
same inning. A pinch runner must be
inserted immediately when the batter reaches his base. A pinch runner can’t be replaced on the base
paths. If PR is, that PR must be removed for the remainder of the game. (An
injury).
The Pinch Runner must be the previous last batted out. If the last batted out is unable to run (only
due to injury), the Pinch Runner is the previous last batted out. If a Pinch Runner is needed in the first
inning with no outs, the last batter in the batting order is the Pinch Runner.
A PR whose turn at bat
occurs, shall be called out and not replaced. He/she will then take the proper
turn at bat. (4/2/10)
12.
If a player is removed from
the game or leaves without pre-game notification to the opposing manager, an
automatic out will be recorded (only) for the removed player's next scheduled
turn at bat. (No additional outs will be recorded for subsequent scheduled
turns at bat).
13.
Before the start of the game, players planning to leave a game before
its conclusion must inform the umpire and opposing manager of their intended
departure time; no penalty will be imposed. Note that the team is still
subject to (non-monetary) forfeiture of the game, if it is unable to field nine
(9) players as a result of (a) player(s) leaving or having been removed from
the game (except if due to injury).
14.
Players arriving at any time subsequent to the start of the game will
be inserted at the bottom of the lineup.
15.
This is a lob pitch league
with a minimum arc of six (6) feet and a maximum arc of twelve (12) feet above
the ground.
16.
The pitcher’s box shall be
two (2) feet wide and six (6) feet deep. The pitcher can pitch from any spot in the
box, as long as he has one foot in the box. The pivot foot must remain in the
pitcher’s box throughout the delivery. Consistent with current regulations, the
pitcher must pause at least one (1) second before the start of delivery
i.e. he cannot run up while in the box.
17.
A strike zone mat or wooden
plate will
be used in all League games. The wood plate and the mat shall constitute
the strike zone. Any legal pitch striking the mat or wooden plate is a
“strike”. Size 22 Inches by 36 Inches.
18.
If the umpire calls a pitch
illegal and the batter swings and connects, the ball is in play.
If the pitch is taken, it is an automatic called Ball. An illegal pitch is one which exceeds 12 feet
in height or is lower than (flat) 6 feet in height.
19.
A THIRD STRIKE FOUL BY A
BATTER IS AN AUTOMATIC OUT. If such a foul out is caught by a fielder, the ball is dead, and runners may not attempt to
advance. There is not courtesy foul with
an 0/0 count.
20.
All foul balls caught by the
catcher are out.
21.
All base paths are sixty-five
(65) feet between bases and the pitching rubber is fifty (50) feet from
home plate except where otherwise agreed or dictated due to field limitations.
22.
A batter running to 1st base must use the secondary base located a minimum of 12 inches outside
the 1st base foul line whenever a play is being made, even from the
outfield. If there is no play at
1st base, the runner may make the turn rounding 1st base
using the inside base. A runner will be called out if touching the
wrong base.
23.
No base stealing, bunting or
slap hitting is allowed.
24.
All games will be Seven (7) innings (6-1/2 if the home team is winning)
In case of inclement weather, for seven inning games, Five (5) innings must be
completed, (4 ½ if home team is winning).
For five inning games, 5 innings must be complete 5 innings (4 ½ if home
team is winning).
25.
When tie games require extra
innings, each extra inning will require the last official batted out from
the previous inning to start as a base runner on 2nd base (International tie breaker). No substitute
runner will be allowed until the base runner reaches 3rd base.
26.
Catch-up plus five (5) run
rule will be in effect, with no restrictions in the last inning or extra
innings.
27.
Mercy Rule: a 7 inning game is officially over if one team
leads the other by fifteen (15) runs
after five innings of play have been completed (or 4-1/2 innings if the
home team is in the lead). 5
Inning games must complete 5 or 4 ½.
28.
All bats must be slow-pitch
officially approved by ASA for the current year with the exception of all Miken Freak bats. Bats with altered [original manufacturer]
markings are prohibited. A batter using a bat
prohibited by these rules will be declared out and ejected from the game. SEE POINT 42 C,
D
29.
Metal spikes are not allowed
(Player will be ejected).
30.
Overrunning of bases other
than first is not allowed.
31. Sliding is allowed at 2nd or 3rd base only. When a runner is advancing to 2nd base and there will be a throw from 2nd to 1st (double-play), the runner must either (1) slide or (2) veer off the base path to allow the throw without hitting the base runner. The umpire will declare (an) out(s) as appropriate if this rule is violated. If the runner runs into the fielder and, in the umpire's judgment, it was a dangerous play; the runner will be ejected from the game and may face suspension. The player's action will be reviewed by the League Board to determine if further disciplinary action should be taken. Any decision made by the Committee will be strictly enforced. We are a “fun" League.
32.
On a play at home plate, the
catcher can record an out only by touching any part of the home plate mat. This means
that the catcher cannot tag out a runner
coming home or block him from crossing the scoring plate, even if the incoming
throw draws him toward the runner and/or scoring plate. Correspondingly,
the runner who touches home plate or
interferes with the incoming throw at home plate shall be automatically called out.
33.
A Commitment line will
be designated one-half the distance (32.5 feet) between 3rd base and
home. Whenever a runner crosses this
commitment line, he must proceed to home and cannot return to 3rd
base. Runner must touch the alternative home plate before the ball reaches the
catcher standing on ANY section of the home mat.
34.
Home team for each game will provide
1 new and 1 backup ball.
35.
Judgment calls cannot be
protested. Except for player-eligibility protests, a protest, when allowed, must
be made before the next pitch and submitted in writing within two (2) days to
the Board. The protest must be important to the outcome of the game and
the League Executive Board will render a decision.
36.
During play, only team
managers can discuss calls with the umpire, or other items
pertaining to the nature of play. Managers must
make this clear to their players.
37.
An umpire may remove a player for verbal abuse or physical abuse.
Physical abuse will result in being removed from the League for the remainder
of the year. SEE CODE OF CONDUCT
38.
A player removed from the League for physical abuse will be subject to
review by the League Board regarding possible future reinstatement the following
year. SEE CODE OF CONDUCT
39.
A player removed from the
game by
an umpire must leave the vicinity of the ballpark, or sit in his car for the
remainder of that game. Failure to do so will result in his team's
(non-monetary) forfeiture of the game. A player removed from the first
game of a doubleheader can return for game two of the doubleheader UNLESS THE
PLAYER HAS BEEN REMOVED BECAUSE OF AN ILLEGAL BAT VIOLATION. WHICH RESULTS IN A
FULL DAY BAN.
40.
Any player who
knowingly uses an illegal bat will be ejected from league. Any bat used during a
game will be subject to reinspection either during that game or immediately
after the end of the game.
1.
End of season ties in the standings will be
decided by the record of each team against all teams with which it is
tied. If ties still exist, a coin toss in the presence of representatives
of all affected teams shall decide. Won/lost percentage, rather than
games ahead/behind, will be the criterion for comparing records. Executive
Board will determine playoff format and publish the format prior to 75% of the
season elapsing. Playoff positions will
be determined by team performance.
2.
Players must
participate in at least 50% of regular season games to be eligible for
playoffs.
3.
Umpires: The Catcher will call balls/strikes and
fouls.
For all other calls, either a non-player in the game will make all other calls
(safe/out), etc. or a player from the batting team will volunteer to umpire.
Managers should insure an umpire is promptly in place to avoid delays in the
game. Lack of an umpire by the batting team after completion of authorized
warm-up allowance will permit the defense to make the calls (preferably the
pitcher). The designated umpire will
be responsible for calling illegal pitches (too high/low/flat). Once
the game begins; it cannot be terminated over dissatisfaction with the
umpiring.
Official
umpires will be utilized for league all league games and playoffs.
4.
While it is preferred that all players wear uniforms, this provision shall not be mandatory.
5.
Safety:
A. Protective Masks: Pitchers
(defined as anyone throwing pitches to a batter) are required to wear a
protective mask during pre-game warm ups and during games. No Exceptions. Each team has been supplied with an extra
protective mask to support this requirement.
B. Bats: Only ASA approved bats
can be use for Middlesex Retirement League
games. No Ultra’s or Senior Bats may be
used. Only Bats rated 1.20 BPF or less
may be used.
C. Bat Testing; Bats will be
tested and an authorization sticker will be affixed to those bats passing the
test. Only Authorized Bats may be used for league games and warm ups. Testing will occur during the first three
weeks of the season after which all bats must have the appropriate sticker.
D. Zero Tolerance: Use of an
illegal bat will result in ejection from that day’s games. A second violation will result in suspension
from the league for the current season.
Batter may be asked
to show the appropriate authorization sticker by the opposing
catcher and team management.
6.
The League has adopted a “Code
of Conduct”. It is posted on our
website.