MIDDLESEX COUNTY
OVER 50 SOFTBALL LEAGUE, INC.
LEAGUE RULES
2022
February 19, 2022
PREAMBLE
The
name of the organization shall be Middlesex County Over 50 Softball League
Inc. The League shall be a corporation pursuant to Title 15A: 2-8 of
the New Jersey Domestic Corporation Act (The Act), whose purpose is to organize
scheduled softball games for member teams. Each team in the League
shall be considered a member pursuant to the Act and shall have equal rights
and limitations. If any assets are at any time to be distributed,
such distribution shall be equally among active members. All
officers and only officers of the League shall be deemed Trustees under the
Act. The League hereby indemnifies Trustees/Officers to the maximum
extent permitted under Title 15A: 3-4 of the Act against expenses and
liabilities in connection with any proceeding. Any provisions of
these By-Laws (sometimes referred to as a "Constitution") which are
not in accordance with the Act are to be considered null and void. The
intention of the League is to operate as a corporation under the Act to limit
any personal liabilities of Trustees/ Officers.
ARTICLE I
BY-LAWS
MEMBERSHIP/TEAMS
A.
Each player must be at least fifty (50) years old in the calendar
year that he joins the League. If a player is found to be ineligible
due to age, his team forfeits all games for which he was on the roster (current
season only) and the player is ineligible for future play in the League unless
reinstated by the Board.
Only under extraordinary circumstances may he be reinstated. The decision to reinstate will be sole the
decision of the League Board.
B.
Prior
to 1 April of the scheduled season, any new team can be awarded membership into
the league. Membership will be based on the majority vote of the league
managers. Any new team(s) accepted into
the league will be required to comply with all league by-laws and rules.
C. Initial team rosters
must be submitted to the League Board no later than 1 April of the scheduled
season. Rosters must be comprised of a
minimum of sixteen (16) and a maximum of twenty-five (25) players. It is the responsibility of each team manager
to ensure players meet the age requirement identified in section A above. Failure to submit initial team rosters will
result in the forfeiture of all games played until the roster is by the League
Board. Team rosters can be adjusted up
until the completion of the third scheduled week of league play, at which time,
they will be frozen for the remainder of the season. Any player removed from a
roster after the completion of the third week of league play is ineligible to
play for any team for the remainder of the season, including the team who’s
roster he was on.
Any player
found to be on two team rosters by the completion of the third regular
scheduled game, will be required to commit to one team and communicate that
commitment to the League Board before the start of the fourth scheduled league
game.
D. Any non-roster player participating
in any league game will be considered an illegal player. All games in which that player participated
in will result in a forfeiture of those games by a 7-0 score. The team manager will be suspended for the
same number of games the illegal player participated in. The League Board reserves the right to impose
a harsher penalty to the Team Manager if other violations to the league rules
are discovered or further incidents of using non-roster players occur.
ARTICLE II
YEARLY OBLIGATIONS
All
teams must pay league fees as determined by the League Board Treasurer. Due to
pre-season financial obligations, 50% of the fees must be collected no later
than 1 March of the scheduled season with the remaining 50% due no later than 15
April. Early collection of fees is
required for the purchase of equipment and insurance. Fees are also required
for field usage. Umpires will be paid in
cash. Teams in arrears of all fees due
will result in forfeiture of all games played until paid in full.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD
The League Board will be comprised of a minimum
of three (3) members and a maximum of six (6). The League Board positions will
be identified as Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer (currently a non-voting
member of the League Board) and Board Member(s). The Chairman will determine the duties and
responsibilities of the Board Members.
The League Board will be charged with managing
all league administrative responsibilities.
In addition to administering the League, the League Board will be
responsible for:
-Scheduling and running all League Board
Meetings
-Enforcing league rules
-Implementing rule changes as voted upon by the
team managers
-Administer and document all appeals,
grievances and protests lodged during the season.
-All other issues, disputes, etc., that may
occur throughout the calendar year.
ARTICLE IV
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
All nominations, elections and proposed rule
changes must occur at any one of the League Board meetings. A League Board meeting can be called at any
time by the League Board or by a simple majority of Team Managers. Nominations, elections, and proposed rule
change will be governed as follows.
A.
Nominations
1.
Any
team manager or representative can make a nomination for consideration for
membership to the League Board.
2.
A
team manager or representative may only make one nomination per meeting.
3.
All
nominations must be seconded
B.
Elections
1.
Each
team has one vote regardless of representatives in attendance
2.
Votes
can only be cast by those in attendance.
No absentee votes will be considered.
3.
A
majority vote of all votes cast must be achieved to yield a positive
outcome. For example, if eleven (11)
votes are cast, six (6) votes must be in favor to achieve a positive outcome.
4.
In
the event of a tie, the League Chairman will cast the tie-breaking vote.
5.
All
voting outcomes will go into effect immediately
C.
Proposed
Rule Changes
1.
Any
team manager, representative or League Board Member can propose a rule change.
2.
The
individual proposing a rule change must cite the specific section of the rules
that he desires to change, and the specific change being recommended. If the proposed rule is new, the individual
proposing must identify it as a new rule proposal.
3.
Once
the change has been identified, the League Board will hold a five-minute
maximum discussion on the proposal and then proceed to a vote.
4.
A
majority vote of all votes cast must be achieved to pass.
5.
In
the event of a tie, the League Chairman will cast the tie-breaking vote.
ARTICLE V
RULES OF PLAY
The League shall adhere to the current senior
SSUSA rules and regulations for all playing matters, except as provided in
these League Rules of Play. League rules
take precedence over SSUSA rules
Before the start of each softball season, the
League Managers will review and decide on all playing rules. Any rule changes must be made in the best interest
of the League and follow the change process identified in Article IV Section C.
The League Board shall create a schedule for
the regular season. Subsequent recommended changes to the regular season
schedule may be made with the approval of the League Board.
The current League rules of play are as
follows:
1.
Team
field strength will be a maximum of eleven (11) and a minimum of eight (8)
roster players
2. A game will be
forfeited if a team cannot field a minimum of eight (8) roster players, fifteen
(15) minutes after the scheduled start time or during play. If both teams are incapable of fielding an
eight (8) man team of roster players, both teams forfeit the game.
a.
A
team can avoid a forfeit if the manager of the opposing team agrees to transfer
a player to the shorthanded team. Under
no circumstances is a manager obligated to transfer a roster player to play the
game.
b.
A
team that is two roster players short of the minimum of eight (8) players will
automatically forfeit.
3. If a team manager knows that he will not have enough roster
players to play a regular season game, he must contact the opposing team
manager and League Board Chairman no later than 6pm on the Thursday prior to
the scheduled games and the games will be recorded as two loses for the team
forfeiting by identical scores of 7-0.
The requirement to contact the opposing team manager and League Board
Chairman by the Thursday deadline is a courtesy communication prevent the
unnecessary arrival of the opposing team and umpire.
4. The umpire will be paid
$50.00/game ($25/team). In the event of a known forfeit prior to the Thursday
6:00 pm deadline, the umpire will be paid $50 ($25.00 per team). In the event of a forfeit 15 minutes after
the start of the schedule game, the umpire will still be paid in full.
5. A team may bat all
roster players. However, a minimum of
twelve (12) players, when available, MUST bat.
Any roster player playing the field must bat. Team managers have the option of having two
roster players occupy the same slot in the batting order, alternating them when
that slot in the batting order is due to bat.
It is optional for Team Managers to alternate these two same roster
players to play in the field. While
alternating in the batting order, these players may not move to any other slot
in the batting order for that game.
6. Base runners may not
leave the base they occupy until a pitched ball is hit. If a runner leaves early, regardless of the
batter swinging and missing or not swinging, all runners leaving the base they
occupy will be ruled out.
7. If a roster player is
removed from a game, for something other than an injury, an automatic out will
be recorded for his next scheduled at bat.
That position must be replaced in the line-up and the field when another
roster player is available to take his place.
An injured player can be replaced by another roster player and placed in
his position in the line-up without penalty.
If there is no other roster player available to replace the injured
player, an automatic out will be recorded in his next scheduled at bat. For clarity, no out will assessed in the next
scheduled at bat if there is a substitute player available to replace an
injured player removed from the game.
a. Before
the start of a game, if any roster player is planning to depart a game before
its conclusion, his manager must inform the umpire and opposing team manager of
the intended departure. No at bat
penalty will be assessed if prior notification is provided. However, section
two (2) of the Rules of Play applies regarding the minimum of eight (8) players
required for continued play. If a game
must be forfeited due to a loss of a player(s), no monetary forfeit penalty
will be assessed.
8. Roster players arriving
at any time after the start of a game can be inserted into any spot in the
battling lineup if that spot in the lineup has not had its initial at bat at
the plate. For example, if a roster player arrives after the first four batters
in the line-up have batted, he cannot be inserted into any of the first four
positions in the batting order but can inserted into any of the remaining
positions in the batting order. If a
team has batted one time through the lineup, the late arriving roster player
must be inserted into the bottom of the batting order.
9. There will be a minimum
of six (6) feet and a maximum of twelve (12) feet arc above the ground for all
pitched balls. Any pitch made outside
these dimensions shall be called an illegal pitch. The batter has the option swinging. All pitchers must pitch behind the
screen. Batted balls hitting the screen
will be declared a strike. A batter hitting the ball into the screen with two
(2) strikes will be declared a dead ball third strike (3rd)
out. All other balls that hit the screen
remain in play and are considered live balls. In the event a thrown ball
becomes lodged into the screen, it will be declared a ‘dead ball’ and the
overthrow rule
10.
The pitcher’s box shall be
three (3) feet deep to match the width of the pitching screen and five (5)
deep, starting from the pitching rubber.
The pitcher can pitch from any position in the pitching box provided his
pivot foot always remains in the box during the delivery. A pitcher must pause at least one second
between the time he receives the ball to the time he delivers his next pitch. Any violation will result in a dead ball
called a ball and a warning given by the umpire to refrain from any further
quick pitches or be subject to ejection from the game of play.
11.
The
pitching screen shall be placed forty-eight feet (48’) from home plate and
centered in front of the pitching rubber. The pitching screen once properly
placed will not be moved. The home team
will provide the pitching screen, but it is strongly encouraged that both teams
bring pitching screens in the event one becomes damaged or unsafe to use. Once
properly set in place, only the umpire has the authority to move the
screen. A warning will be given by the
umpire to any player attempting to move the pitching screen. Any further attempts will result in an immediate
ejection by the offending player.
12.
A league
approved wooden or rubber strike-zone mat will be used for all league
games. The dimension of the mat will be
twenty-two inches by thirty-six inches (22” x 36”). The mat will constitute the strike-zone. If a
team supplies their own league approved mat, they will be reimbursed by
submitting a receipt to the League Board.
13.
A third
strike foul (i.e., A foul ball hit when the batter already has two strikes
against him) is an automatic dead ball out. If a third strike foul out is
caught by an opposing fielder, the ball remains in play and the runner may
advance at their own risk
14. All base paths shall be
sixty-five feet (65’) between bases and the pitching rubber shall be fifty feet
(50”) from home plate. If field limitations prevent these dimensions, agree
upon dimensions shall be established by both team managers and the umpire.
15.
A
commitment line will be established halfway (thirty-two and half feet (32.5”))
between third base and the home plate.
This line can be placed on the field by either team manager and
confirmed by the umpire. During play, any player running between third base and
home plate who touches or crosses this line must continue his advance toward
home plate or immediately be called out. Play will continue until the umpire
calls for time
16.
All games will be seven (7) innings in length. Five (5) innings
must be completed (four and a half innings if the home team is ahead) for a
game to be considered official.
17. The home team will be
assigned to the first base side of the field and the visitor team will be
assigned to the third base side of the field as indicated by the schedule. Home
and visitor teams will be assigned by the league schedule of play. The home team
is responsible for the pitching screen, bases and Homeplate mat. It is strongly encouraged that both team
managers bring these items to prevent delays in start time.
18.
Teams may
score a maximum of 5 runs per inning or catch-up. For example, a team is leading by the score
of 10-0. The opposing team can score 10 runs in an inning to tie the game but
cannot exceed the tied score unless it is the last inning or in extra innings.
There are no restrictions in run volume in the last inning or in extra
innings.
19.
There is a
limit of three (3) ‘over the fence home runs’, plus one (1) up in a game per
team. All home runs hit exceeding the
maximum number of team home runs will be recorded as an out. In the event of an A division team playing an
A division team, the limit is increased to 5, plus one (1) up in a game per
team. A ball that touches an outfielder
and goes over the fence will not be counted against the home run limit.
20. There is no mercy rule
in this league. However, a team may
elect to terminate the game if they are behind by fifteen (15) runs after
completing their fifth inning of batting.
21. All bats must be slow-pitch officially
approved ASA/USA bats. Bats with altered
(original manufacturer) markings are prohibited. All bats must be equal to the 1.20 BPF
standards. A player using an altered or
bat prohibited by these rules will declared out an ejected from the game
22. The safety base at
first base will be placed eighteen inches (18”) from the regular first base. If
there is a close pay at first base, the runner must touch the safety base or
will be ruled out by the umpire. A runner
can touch either base if there is no close play at first base. At all times the fielder must use the inside
base, regardless the play occurring on the field.
23. Sliding is permitted
into all bases. At any base, a runner who does not slide must veer out of the
way of an infielder to avoid a collision or get hit with a thrown ball. A player cannot break up a force out, double
play or tag play by running into or interfering with a fielder. The umpire will declare the runner out as
appropriate if this rule is violated.
a. If a runner runs into a fielder and, in the
judgement of the umpire, creates a dangerous situation, the runner will be
ruled out and ejected from the game.
Willful contact may result in suspension. The offending player’s action will be
reviewed by the League Board to determine the necessity for any further
disciplinary action.
24. On a play at the home
base, the catcher records an out by touching any portion of the mat while in
control of the ball before a runner crosses the scoring plate. No tag is
required. The catcher cannot block the runner from touching the scoring plate,
even if an incoming throw draws him toward the runner or scoring plate. Conversely, a runner who touches the mat or
interferes/obstructs the catcher from the incoming throw shall be ruled out at
home plate.
25. The scoring plate will be placed eight
(8’) feet from the mat in line with the first base foul line. Where a playing field makes the positioning
of the scoring plate listed above potentially dangerous, the team managers and
umpire will agree upon its positioning
26. Both
teams shall provide one (1) new ball for each game.
27. During a game, only
team managers or team representative in the managers absence. can discuss, or questions
calls, or any other issues pertaining to the nature of play with the umpire.
Any other player or players violating this rule will result in the entire team
receiving a final warning. Any further
comments by any player, after this final warning is given, will result in
ejection from the game and possible disciplinary action.
28. After the umpire calls
“Play Ball’, (or something similar), a team has two (2) minutes to commence
play. Failure to commence play within the two-minute timeframe can result in a
(non-monetary) forfeit
29. An umpire may eject a
player from the game for verbal or physical abuse directed toward him. No
warning is required to be given to a player in the case of abuse. In the event
a player is ejected for abuse, the League Board will automatically review the
case for disciplinary action. The League Board reserves the right to define
‘abuse’.
30. A player disciplined by
the League Board due to umpire abuse (verbal or physical) will be subject to a
second review by the League Board to determine future reinstatement into the
league.
a.
Any player ejected from a game for any reason
will serve a one game suspension. The suspension will be served consistent with
the very next scheduled game played. For
example, a game 1 ejection
results in game 2 suspension. A game 2 ejection results in game 1 suspension
the following week. If the
very next scheduled game is canceled for any reason, the suspension will carry
over to the next scheduled game that is played.
32. End of season ties in
the standings will first be decided by the following criteria:
a. First tiebreaker – Head-to-head record between
the teams that are tied
b Second tiebreaker – The least number of runs
allowed in games between the teams that
are tied.
c. Third
tiebreaker – Won-Lost record among all teams in the division.
d.
Fourth tiebreaker – Coin toss in the presence
of representatives of all teams tied.
The coin toss will be conducted by a member of the League Board
If
there is more than one tie within a division at the end the season, ties shall
be decided in descending order (ties for 3rd and 4th
place must be decided before ties for 1st and 2nd are
decided).
33. Playoff tournament
groupings will be determined by final season standings. All playoff rounds will be a best of three
(3) format. When there is an even number
of teams in the division, the playoff schedule will be #1 vs #4 and #2 vs
#3. In the event there is an odd number
of teams in the playoff tournament, the top seed will receive a bye. In every playoff round, the highest remaining
seed will be designated the home team (home/away/home).
34. If an umpire fails to
show for a scheduled game, or leaves during the game, both team managers must
decide on a substitute(s) to complete the scheduled games. The substitute umpires can be from either
team or a spectator with sufficient knowledge of the game. Once a decision is made on umpire selection
and play resumes, the game cannot be terminated over dissatisfaction over the
quality of the umpiring. The substitute umpire will be paid in full.
35. The order of rainouts
or cancellations, make-up games will be rescheduled in the order in which the
rainouts/cancellations occurred.
36. League
play will not be scheduled during the Memorial Day, Fourth of July 4th, and
Labor Day weekends.
37. If any team manager decides to lodge a protest during a game, the
umpire and opposing team manager must be informed immediately prior to the next
pitch of that game via a brief meeting between both team managers (team
representative in the absence of the team manager) and the umpire. The nature of the protest must be clearly
stated. No protests will be considered
if lodged after the next pitch is made in the game. Protests will be heard by the League Board
and a decision rendered, after all facts surrounding the protest have been
presented. Judgement calls cannot be protested.
38. The ‘Flip-Flop Rule’ will be an optional
decision that must be agreed upon by both team managers or their
representatives to expedite the game if the lead is 10 or more runs. The rule
can only be applied after the sixth (6th) inning of a play.
39. If any one game is canceled due to an unplayable field,
all games at other fields will also be cancelled for that Saturday. Makeups
will be made up in the order they occurred on the schedule.
40. International Tie Breaker Rules
will be utilized after 7 innings of play until a winner is determined. Each half inning will start with the last
batter making out from the previous inning occupying second base. No designated
runner can replace this runner until he reaches third base. There is no run limit per inning while in
extra innings.
41. If severe weather is
anticipated (heat index at 105 or above, hurricane, lightning, etc.) all games
will be canceled by the League Board.
Any cancellations will be rescheduled as per Section 35 above.
ARTICLE VI
DIVISIONS
Prior to the start of the scheduled season, the League
Board and Team Managers or their designated representatives will review and decide
Divisional and Cross Divisional team alignment.
The purpose of the alignment is to ensure the competitiveness of the
league, to the greatest extent possible.
A majority vote is required to approve the Divisional and Cross
Divisional Team alignments.
ARTICLE VII
RATIFICATION
New By-Laws are proposed and adopted for the League based
on the recommendation by the League Board and Team Managers. When necessary, a
league meeting may be called at any time by either the League Board or League
Managers to consider any By-Law changes, revisions, deletions, or additions.
When such a meeting is held, ratification will require a
minimum of 2/3rds (66.75%) voting members in attendance. Ratification is achieved when a simple
majority vote is in approval of the proposed change, revision, deletion, or
addition. A quorum of voting members (seven) must be present to initiate a
vote.
To ensure all necessary proposals are expeditiously voted
upon, each proposal will be presented by the League Board Chairman. When presented, there will be a 5-minute
discussion period and then voting will commence. When voting is complete, the next proposal
(if any) will be presented by the League Board Chairman followed by another
5-minute discussion period followed by a vote.
This process will continue until all proposals are addressed.
The League Board
Chairman will designate a League Board Member to record all voting
outcomes. All proposals approved will be
result in an update of the League Rules document and posted on the League
website
.