Men's Softball League Rules 2018
Men’s Softball League Rules 2018 The Co-Ed Softball League will follow USSSA Softball rules, with the following exceptions: New Rules are listed in Red and Bold. League Registration A team will not be considered to be registered until the following steps have been completed: Complete and submit the Adult Sports Roster Form Complete and submit the Adult Player Contract for all team members Submit payment in the amount of $203.50 City Resident/ Non-City Resident $304.75 League Line-Up Schedules and updates will be located on League Line-up. It is your responsibility to double check the site. Tournament Director will do their best to get schedule out in advance. Tournament play will be posted 4 days before play begins. (Times for postings are subject to change) To Register: http://www.leaguelineup.com/grpdadultathletics (please sign up with the remind App.) League size The Men’s Softball league will be considered “full” when there are 12 teams registered. There will be no team registration accepted once this limit has been reached. Team Roster A. All participants must complete and submit an Adult Player Contract prior to competing in a league game. This information can not be submitted at the field the day of the game (must be submitted in advance). B. All team members must be 18 years and older. C. Any player that is not listed on the Adult Sports Roster Form and does not have an adult contract on file in league one will be considered illegal. D. Team rosters are limited to 25 members. E. All team members must wear matching t-shirt/jerseys for all league games (effective following the 4th game of each season). F. Each team will compete with 10 men in the lineup. G. The team roster will be open until the start of tournament play. Players from other teams may be used as substitutes up to 10 players only to allow play. a. The team roster will be open to add new players until the end of the 8th week of league play. No new players may be added to your roster after the 8th week. For the regular season, players from other teams may be used as substitutes to reach a 10player roster for your team. In the play-offs you can only play with players on your roster as of the 8th week.
H. Upon request by a game official or league representative, a participant MUST submit his/her Driver’s
License or ID card. Failure to provide adequate identification will result in immediate suspension from participation until the issue is addressed. Roster changes and contracts must be turned in by 4:00 PM on the day of the game to either the Recreation leader or Athletic assistant, if roster additions take place. No new players may be added to your roster after the 8th week. League Games A. League games will be held between the hours of 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM. - 6:30pm - 7:30pm - 8:30pm - 9:30pm - Please note: NO TEAM will be given preference on a specific game time! Scheduling is done randomly. - Each team will be playing multiple double-header games at some point during the season. B. League games will be held at the following facilities: Albert “Ray” Massey (Westside Park 1001 NW 34th Street) field #3 Green Tree Field # 1 2102 NW 39th Ave. C. Lineup Card – The team lineup card must be turned in to the scorekeeper 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the game. No adjustments can be made at the start time or during the game. Submitting the lineup card late will result in one out in the first inning at-bat. The team lineup must be placed in batting order. D. League games will begin promptly as indicated on the game schedule. E. A team must have 9 players to start a game. If at any time during the game, a team has less than 9 players, the game will be a FORFEIT. F. A team must have 10 players in the lineup and on the field if 10 players are available. G. Only the league administrator can add, drop, or make any changes to the regular season or play-offs schedule. No managers, umpire or players can change the schedule. H. Each team is responsible for providing $25.00 per game for game officials. This amount is due prior to the start of the game. Failure to make payment will result in a FORFEIT. I.
Equipment
Uniforms: All teams must be wearing the same color shirts at the start of week three. Any player not wearing the same color shirt at the start of week three will not be allowed to play in the game. If this causes a team to forfeit the game the team that forfeits is still responsible for the umpire’s fees for the forfeit game.
League bats must have approved USSSA 1.20 Stamp and City of Gainesville decal. If decal falls off, rips or is tampered with in any way the bat will not be allowed to be used in any game until it is recertified by the City.
All bats must pass City of Gainesville bat test and receive a City approved decal. Any player using a bat without a city decal will be called out on the first incident and ejected from the game on the second incident. It’s each player’s responsibility to get his or her bat certified on the dates and times the city announces to certify bats. Each team is responsible for providing the City of Gainesville League approved game ball to start the game. Official league ball: These are the only approved softballs for league play. All others will be considered Illegal. 1. Worth Classic M (Gold Dot) and Worth Classic W (Green Dot) 2. Dudley Classic M and W (Thunder ZN) or (Thunder Heat) 3. DeMarini Classic M and W (Lighting) Game balls must have company name (Worth, Dudley or DeMarini), the brand name (Gold Dot, Green Dot, Thunder 2N, Thunder Heat or Lighting, Classic M or W Series), and USSSA Logo.
J. Each game will last 55 minutes, or 7 innings, whichever comes first. The Scorekeeper at the field will keep the official time of the game. No new inning will begin after 55 minutes. Once a new inning begins, if the home team is behind, the inning will be completed without time limits. One pitch format – In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, the game will continue with each batter beginning with a 3-2 (full) count. In the event of a second extra inning, the final out from the previous inning will be placed at second base. No new inning will begin after 55 minutes. K. Mercy Rule – The officials will call the mercy rule and end the game if: A team has a lead of 20 runs or more after three innings A team has a lead of 15 runs or more after four innings A team has a lead of 10 runs or more after five innings L. Late players – If a member of a team arrives at the game late, he/she will be added to the end of the lineup without penalty. M. Extra Hitter – Men’s league teams can bat a maximum of 12 players in the lineup. N. Each at-bat begins with a 1-1 count. O. A team is permitted (5) home runs per game. Once the limit is reached, another home run cannot be hit until the opponent has matched their total of (5) home runs. Additional home runs that are hit prior to the home run total being matched will be counted as an OUT. P. Pitching nets Pitching nets will be used. Once the pitcher pitches the ball, he/she MUST step behind the net, then once the ball is hit, and then the player can step out to field the ball. If the pitcher fails to step behind the net after he or she pitches the ball and stays in the field of play, the umpire will stop the game and award the batter the base. The first ball to hit the net is a foul ball. The second will be an out.
Season Schedule A. Each team will be scheduled to play 10 games in the regular season and 2-4 games during tournament play. (make-up’s due to consistent weather issues may be limited) B. Cancellation Scheduled games that are cancelled due to weather or administrative cancellation will be rescheduled where available. Scheduled games that are cancelled due to lack of players or a “no call, call, email or text in less than 24 hours from game time or are a no show” will not be rescheduled and will be entered as a FORFEIT. (NOTE: Teams that are “no call, call, email or text in less than 24 hours from game time or are a no show” or have a lack of players are still responsible for their portion of the game fees and must pay the opposing team’s fees total of $50.00 dollars) If team contacts city Employee in charge of the league 24 hours prior to game time in advance of cancellation it will still be entered as a forfeit and they will pay a reduced fee of $25.00 Team or Teams will not be allowed to play in the play-offs until they have paid their forfeit fees in full. A team with (2) “no call – no show” forfeits in a season will be disqualified for the remainder of the season and removed from the game schedule. C. Placement Final decision for the placement of each team is at the discretion of the league director Tournament A. At the conclusion of the regular season, all teams will be scheduled to compete in a doubleelimination tournament. (2-3 weeks) Unless the regular season is delayed by inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we will run a double-elimination tournament. If the season is delayed for inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the City reserves the right to change the format to a single-elimination tournament. Please keep in mind during tournament play, teams might have to play multiple games in one night. B. During tournament Rosters are locked. The team roster will be open to add new players until the end of the 8th week of league play. No new players may be added to your roster after the 8th week. For the regular season, players from other teams may be used as substitutes to reach a 10-player roster for your team. In the play-offs you can only play with players on your roster as of the 8th week. a. Any team playing in the play-offs with a player or players that are not on their roster will forfeit the game. b. In order for a player to qualify to play on the play-offs with one team he or her must have played 50% of the season with one team. C. Tie-Breaker Procedure In case of a tie at the conclusion of the regular season, the following tie-breaker procedures will be used to determine the seeding for the play-offs: 1. Best Winning Percentage 2. Head to Head Competition 3. Point Differential 4. Least points Allowed 5. Most Points Scored 6. Coin Flip C.(a) Championship teams in each division will have the option of selecting a team trophy or championship t-shirts in order to recognize the accomplishment.
Discipline A. The team manager is responsible for the behavior of the participants on his/her team and their spectators. B. Unsportsmanlike Behavior – Verbal taunting, inappropriate gestures, use of profanity, or other unsportsmanlike behavior by any player, manager, team personnel or spectator will not be tolerated. First offense – verbal warning by the game official and noted in scorebook. Second offense – player is ejected from the game Third offense – FORFEIT At his/her discretion, the game official has the authority to immediately eject a player and/or team if he/she deems the behavior to be severe in nature. C. Ejections Any player(s) that is ejected from a league game will receive a mandatory minimum suspension from the next scheduled game to be played. If the game is cancelled for any reason the suspended player will serve his suspension the next game the teams is scheduled to play. Additional penalty may be imposed based on the severity of the behavior at the discretion of the Recreation Department. Any player(s) that is ejected from a league game for the second time in a season, regardless of the reason for the ejection, will be suspended for the remainder of the season (including playoffs). Any player(s) that initiates a fight will be suspended for the remainder of the season. A team that receives three individual ejections from a league game will be suspended for the remainder of the season (including playoffs). No league fees will be reimbursed in the event of a team suspension for the season. A team that is involved in two fights during the season will be suspended the remainder of the season (including playoffs). No league fees will be reimbursed in the event of a team suspension for the season. NO ALCOHOL is allowed at the games. The Recreation Division reserves the right to increase the above penalties, up to and including lifetime ban from the program, depending on the severity of the infraction and/or behavior. D. Game officials – Each player, manager, team personnel or spectator is expected to be respectful of the game officials and scorekeeper. Only the team manager can discuss a call on the field and it must be done in a professional manner. Verbal and/or physical threats made against a City of Gainesville Employees, game official or scorekeeper will result in a minimum season suspension (including playoffs). The Recreation Division reserves the right to increase the above penalties, up to and including lifetime ban from the program, depending on the severity of the infraction and/or behavior. Verbal and/or physical threats made against a City of Gainesville employee, game official or scorekeeper will result in a season suspension for the player and/or manager making the threat. This includes threats made before, during, and after league games The Head Umpire is in total control of the playing field once the game has begun. Safety For safety reasons, the Department of Parks and Recreation DOES NOT recommend for women to play in this league.
Contacts Recreation Leader-Sports: Guillermo Chacon Office Phone: 352-393-8527 Work Cell: 352-316-5640 Email: [email protected] League Umpire: Billy Register Phone Number: 352-494-6559 Email: [email protected] League Umpire: Kenny Gallo Phone Number: 352-258-8643 Email: [email protected] League Umpire: Cody Duffy Phone Number: 352-339-6567 Email: [email protected]
Revised: 08/01/2017
H. Upon request by a game official or league representative, a participant MUST submit his/her Driver’s
License or ID card. Failure to provide adequate identification will result in immediate suspension from participation until the issue is addressed. Roster changes and contracts must be turned in by 4:00 PM on the day of the game to either the Recreation leader or Athletic assistant, if roster additions take place. No new players may be added to your roster after the 8th week. League Games A. League games will be held between the hours of 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM. - 6:30pm - 7:30pm - 8:30pm - 9:30pm - Please note: NO TEAM will be given preference on a specific game time! Scheduling is done randomly. - Each team will be playing multiple double-header games at some point during the season. B. League games will be held at the following facilities: Albert “Ray” Massey (Westside Park 1001 NW 34th Street) field #3 Green Tree Field # 1 2102 NW 39th Ave. C. Lineup Card – The team lineup card must be turned in to the scorekeeper 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the game. No adjustments can be made at the start time or during the game. Submitting the lineup card late will result in one out in the first inning at-bat. The team lineup must be placed in batting order. D. League games will begin promptly as indicated on the game schedule. E. A team must have 9 players to start a game. If at any time during the game, a team has less than 9 players, the game will be a FORFEIT. F. A team must have 10 players in the lineup and on the field if 10 players are available. G. Only the league administrator can add, drop, or make any changes to the regular season or play-offs schedule. No managers, umpire or players can change the schedule. H. Each team is responsible for providing $25.00 per game for game officials. This amount is due prior to the start of the game. Failure to make payment will result in a FORFEIT. I.
Equipment
Uniforms: All teams must be wearing the same color shirts at the start of week three. Any player not wearing the same color shirt at the start of week three will not be allowed to play in the game. If this causes a team to forfeit the game the team that forfeits is still responsible for the umpire’s fees for the forfeit game.
League bats must have approved USSSA 1.20 Stamp and City of Gainesville decal. If decal falls off, rips or is tampered with in any way the bat will not be allowed to be used in any game until it is recertified by the City.
All bats must pass City of Gainesville bat test and receive a City approved decal. Any player using a bat without a city decal will be called out on the first incident and ejected from the game on the second incident. It’s each player’s responsibility to get his or her bat certified on the dates and times the city announces to certify bats. Each team is responsible for providing the City of Gainesville League approved game ball to start the game. Official league ball: These are the only approved softballs for league play. All others will be considered Illegal. 1. Worth Classic M (Gold Dot) and Worth Classic W (Green Dot) 2. Dudley Classic M and W (Thunder ZN) or (Thunder Heat) 3. DeMarini Classic M and W (Lighting) Game balls must have company name (Worth, Dudley or DeMarini), the brand name (Gold Dot, Green Dot, Thunder 2N, Thunder Heat or Lighting, Classic M or W Series), and USSSA Logo.
J. Each game will last 55 minutes, or 7 innings, whichever comes first. The Scorekeeper at the field will keep the official time of the game. No new inning will begin after 55 minutes. Once a new inning begins, if the home team is behind, the inning will be completed without time limits. One pitch format – In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, the game will continue with each batter beginning with a 3-2 (full) count. In the event of a second extra inning, the final out from the previous inning will be placed at second base. No new inning will begin after 55 minutes. K. Mercy Rule – The officials will call the mercy rule and end the game if: A team has a lead of 20 runs or more after three innings A team has a lead of 15 runs or more after four innings A team has a lead of 10 runs or more after five innings L. Late players – If a member of a team arrives at the game late, he/she will be added to the end of the lineup without penalty. M. Extra Hitter – Men’s league teams can bat a maximum of 12 players in the lineup. N. Each at-bat begins with a 1-1 count. O. A team is permitted (5) home runs per game. Once the limit is reached, another home run cannot be hit until the opponent has matched their total of (5) home runs. Additional home runs that are hit prior to the home run total being matched will be counted as an OUT. P. Pitching nets Pitching nets will be used. Once the pitcher pitches the ball, he/she MUST step behind the net, then once the ball is hit, and then the player can step out to field the ball. If the pitcher fails to step behind the net after he or she pitches the ball and stays in the field of play, the umpire will stop the game and award the batter the base. The first ball to hit the net is a foul ball. The second will be an out.
Season Schedule A. Each team will be scheduled to play 10 games in the regular season and 2-4 games during tournament play. (make-up’s due to consistent weather issues may be limited) B. Cancellation Scheduled games that are cancelled due to weather or administrative cancellation will be rescheduled where available. Scheduled games that are cancelled due to lack of players or a “no call, call, email or text in less than 24 hours from game time or are a no show” will not be rescheduled and will be entered as a FORFEIT. (NOTE: Teams that are “no call, call, email or text in less than 24 hours from game time or are a no show” or have a lack of players are still responsible for their portion of the game fees and must pay the opposing team’s fees total of $50.00 dollars) If team contacts city Employee in charge of the league 24 hours prior to game time in advance of cancellation it will still be entered as a forfeit and they will pay a reduced fee of $25.00 Team or Teams will not be allowed to play in the play-offs until they have paid their forfeit fees in full. A team with (2) “no call – no show” forfeits in a season will be disqualified for the remainder of the season and removed from the game schedule. C. Placement Final decision for the placement of each team is at the discretion of the league director Tournament A. At the conclusion of the regular season, all teams will be scheduled to compete in a doubleelimination tournament. (2-3 weeks) Unless the regular season is delayed by inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we will run a double-elimination tournament. If the season is delayed for inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the City reserves the right to change the format to a single-elimination tournament. Please keep in mind during tournament play, teams might have to play multiple games in one night. B. During tournament Rosters are locked. The team roster will be open to add new players until the end of the 8th week of league play. No new players may be added to your roster after the 8th week. For the regular season, players from other teams may be used as substitutes to reach a 10-player roster for your team. In the play-offs you can only play with players on your roster as of the 8th week. a. Any team playing in the play-offs with a player or players that are not on their roster will forfeit the game. b. In order for a player to qualify to play on the play-offs with one team he or her must have played 50% of the season with one team. C. Tie-Breaker Procedure In case of a tie at the conclusion of the regular season, the following tie-breaker procedures will be used to determine the seeding for the play-offs: 1. Best Winning Percentage 2. Head to Head Competition 3. Point Differential 4. Least points Allowed 5. Most Points Scored 6. Coin Flip C.(a) Championship teams in each division will have the option of selecting a team trophy or championship t-shirts in order to recognize the accomplishment.
Discipline A. The team manager is responsible for the behavior of the participants on his/her team and their spectators. B. Unsportsmanlike Behavior – Verbal taunting, inappropriate gestures, use of profanity, or other unsportsmanlike behavior by any player, manager, team personnel or spectator will not be tolerated. First offense – verbal warning by the game official and noted in scorebook. Second offense – player is ejected from the game Third offense – FORFEIT At his/her discretion, the game official has the authority to immediately eject a player and/or team if he/she deems the behavior to be severe in nature. C. Ejections Any player(s) that is ejected from a league game will receive a mandatory minimum suspension from the next scheduled game to be played. If the game is cancelled for any reason the suspended player will serve his suspension the next game the teams is scheduled to play. Additional penalty may be imposed based on the severity of the behavior at the discretion of the Recreation Department. Any player(s) that is ejected from a league game for the second time in a season, regardless of the reason for the ejection, will be suspended for the remainder of the season (including playoffs). Any player(s) that initiates a fight will be suspended for the remainder of the season. A team that receives three individual ejections from a league game will be suspended for the remainder of the season (including playoffs). No league fees will be reimbursed in the event of a team suspension for the season. A team that is involved in two fights during the season will be suspended the remainder of the season (including playoffs). No league fees will be reimbursed in the event of a team suspension for the season. NO ALCOHOL is allowed at the games. The Recreation Division reserves the right to increase the above penalties, up to and including lifetime ban from the program, depending on the severity of the infraction and/or behavior. D. Game officials – Each player, manager, team personnel or spectator is expected to be respectful of the game officials and scorekeeper. Only the team manager can discuss a call on the field and it must be done in a professional manner. Verbal and/or physical threats made against a City of Gainesville Employees, game official or scorekeeper will result in a minimum season suspension (including playoffs). The Recreation Division reserves the right to increase the above penalties, up to and including lifetime ban from the program, depending on the severity of the infraction and/or behavior. Verbal and/or physical threats made against a City of Gainesville employee, game official or scorekeeper will result in a season suspension for the player and/or manager making the threat. This includes threats made before, during, and after league games The Head Umpire is in total control of the playing field once the game has begun. Safety For safety reasons, the Department of Parks and Recreation DOES NOT recommend for women to play in this league.
Contacts Recreation Leader-Sports: Guillermo Chacon Office Phone: 352-393-8527 Work Cell: 352-316-5640 Email: [email protected] League Umpire: Billy Register Phone Number: 352-494-6559 Email: [email protected] League Umpire: Kenny Gallo Phone Number: 352-258-8643 Email: [email protected] League Umpire: Cody Duffy Phone Number: 352-339-6567 Email: [email protected]
Revised: 08/01/2017
