GENERAL RULES:
1. There shall be a minimum of eight (8) players in order to start or continue a game. Failure to field the minimum number of players shall result in a forfeit. A forfeit shall be scored 6-0.
2. Players shall report to the field for scheduled games regardless of weather unless prior notice is given of postponement.
3. Mentor Recreation Department and/or Commissioners will determine which fields are in playable condition following adverse weather. Managers of the teams scheduled to play and the umpire shall determine if games are to be played in adverse weather or field conditions. Once the game has commenced, the umpire shall decide if play is to continue during adverse weather or field conditions.
4. All players shall be in complete uniform in order to be eligible to play unless this rule is waived by the opposing managers prior to or during the game. Uniforms are defined under the Uniform section.
5. Players are prohibited from wearing jewelry.
6. Home team shall utilize the third base dugout/bench. The game ball and umpire fee shall be furnished by the home team for each scheduled game. The home team shall also be responsible for furnishing and setting up the bases for each game.
7. Only players, managers, coaches and scorekeepers of the teams playing are permitted to occupy the benches and dugouts.
8. Managers, coaches, and players shall not be outside of the designated bench dugout area except as permitted by the rules or the umpire.
9. No abusive language or profanity shall be permitted on the field by any player, coach, scorekeeper, manager or spectator. (See Expulsion)
10. Playing Lineups- a) Coaches shall ensure all players are scheduled to field a minimum of three innings, time and number of innings permitting (recommend alternating players). b) There is free substituion for all players, including the pitcher. Short-handed rules do not apply (i.e. players leaving the game shall not require an out be taken each time that player is scheduled for a turn at bat). c) Player positions in the lineup may not be revised othr than to facilitate players arriving late or not showing. d) If a player arrives late, the player must be inserted at the end of the lineup. (Exception: Player already listed whose first tuen at bat has not passed may remain in the original position.
11. All league or field specific rules shall be discussed between opposing managers and the umpire prior to the start of the game. All discussions and/or rule debates will be discussed between opposing managers and umpires only.
12. A games that is tied at the end of regulation play will be continured provided that the next inning can be started before scheduled start of the next game for the first game and 1-1/4 hours after start of the second game. Games on lighted fields are limited to 1 hour 10 minutes regardless of number of innings played. Games ending in a tie will not be rescheduled and will be scored a 1/2 win and 1/2 loss for the standings.
13. No games may be added or rescheduled without the authorization of the President. Any game suspended by the umpire prior to regulation play shall be rescheduled and replayed entirely.
14. Managers, coaches players, and umpires are prohibited from using alcohol or tobacco products in the presence of the players.
15. The league champion will be the team with the best regular season record. In the event of team ties, the following conditions shall determine the winner: a) Regular season head-to-head record. b) Continued tie shall be decided by scheduled one game playoff. c) In the event of a three-team tie, a playoff schedule will be determined. Seating will be determined by coin toss with the team having the odd coin awarded a bye. The winner of the subsequent playoff shall then play the bye team for the championship.
16. No games may be added or rescheduled without the authorization of the President. Any games suspended by the umpire prior to regulation play shall be rescheduled and replayed entirely.
MANAGERS/COACHES
1. The manager shall assume the responsibility for the conduct of their players, parents and coaches.
2. Managers/coaches are exempt from the requirement of approved headgear and uniforms.
BATTERS
1. Bunting is not permitted.
2. All batters must properly wear helmets equipped with chin straps.
3. The third strike foul rule is not in effect. A foul ball on the third strike does not constitute an out.
4. All players at the game shall remain in the proper batting order
PITCHERS
1. Pitchers must have their pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate at the start of delivery and release of the ball.
2. A no-arc ball will be considered a “no pitch” and called a ball unless hit by the batter, or swung at, missed or fouled-off, in which case a strike is to be called.
RUNNERS
1. No runner shall advance on a dropped third strike, passed ball or a wild pitch.
2. No lead off shall be taken at any base until the ball is hit. If any runner leaves the base before the ball is hit, the runner will be declared out.
3. Sliding is permitted.
4. When a defensice player has the ball or is about to receive the ball, the runner must make every attempt to avoid contact with the defensive player covering or be declared out. Errant throws drawing defensive player into the path of the runner is not interference.
5. All runners must properly wear helmets equipped with chin straps.
6. Courtesy Runners are allowed at the discretion of the opposing manager. If permitted, the Courtesy Runner shall be subject to the limitations of ASA Rule 8, Section 10, C through H.
EQUIPMENT:
1. All players shall wear gloves: only the catcher and the first baseman shall be permitted to wear mitts.
2. All bats provided by the League are official.
3. Bats not identified as “Official Softball” bat will not be permitted (i.e. “Little League”, “Baseball”, or similar bats are prohibited). (Teeball bats may be used in Instructional, Midget and Pixie Leagues).
4. The use of multi-wall (double-wall, triple-wall, etc.) or variable-weight, or composite bats shall not be permitted.
5. When available, a double base shall be used at first base. Rules for use of a double base are contained in ASA Rules of Softball, Rule 2, Section 3H-1 and Rule 8, Section 2M and N.
6. Catchers shall wear chest protectors, mask and helmet. (Chest protectors are optional for Girls Jr. and Sr. Ponytail and Boys Major and Senior Leagues).
CALL-UP RULES:
The following rules address the use and limitations of call-up players. There shall be no exceptions to these rules and violation will result in forfeit by the offending team.
1. Call-ups must come from the next lower league with the exception of the Midget and Pixie Leagues which may “call-across” from any team in the respective league (excluding the opposing team) in order to avoid forfeit.
2. In the event a team calls up one or more players, said team shall be restricted to playing no more than ten (10) players in the field (including: Midget and Pixie League teams with “call-across” players). Further, the player(s) called up shall be restricted to playing in the outfield and batting last in order (Exception: Call-ups Senior Boys and Sr. Girls are permitted to play any position).
3. Call-ups must play the entire game and the limitations for team players fielding a minimum of three innings shall apply.
4. Call-ups shall be selected from the “Call-Up List” compiled and maintained by the League Commissioner. Call-ups shall be selected at random and may not be based upon position.
5. No call-up may play for the same team in consecutive games (Clarification: Call-ups may play both games of a double-header. For the purposes of tournament call-ups, a call-up may play the entire tournament for a team, however a call-up playing for a team in the last game prior to the tournament is ineligible to play for that team for the first game of the tournament.
6. It is the manager’s responsibility to contact and advise the League Commissioner of the name(s) of any call-up players utilized in a game.
RUNNERS:
1. No runner shall advance on a dropped third strike, passed ball, or a wild pitch.
2. No lead off shall be taken at any base until the ball is hit. If any runner leaves the base before the ball is hit, the runner will be declared out.
3. Sliding is permitted.
4. When a defensive player has the ball or is about to receive the ball, the runner must make every attempt to avoid contact with the defensive player covering or be declared out. Errant throws drawing defensive player into the path of the runner is not interference.
5. All runners must wear helmets.
6. Courtesy Runners are allowed at the discretion of the opposing manager for injuries only. If permitted, the Courtesy Runner shall be subject to the limitations of ASA Rule 8, Section 10, C through H.
EXPULSIONS:
Any player, manager, coach or spectator may be removed from the game/field by the umpire for the following reasons:
1. Throwing the bat, helmet or glove in a manner adjudged by the umpire to be a display of temper.
2. Using profane language.
3. Unnecessary roughness at any base or on the base paths.
4. Intentionally pushing or placing hands on an umpire in an aggressive manner.
5. Intentionally hitting an opposing player with hands or any piece of equipment.
6. If any player, manager or coach is expelled from the game he/she is on probation. If he/she is thrown out again in the same year he/she is expelled from the league. He/she must apply for reinstatement in front of the board the next year.
7. There shall be no harassment of opposing players or by anyone in attendance. Penalty for second violation shall be expulsion from the game.
PROTESTS:
Every attempt should be made to resolve rules disagreements between the managers and umpire on the field. If the disagreement cannot be resolved on the field the protesting manager should contact a member of the Rules Committee within 48 hours to obtain the information necessary to file a formal protest. The Rules Committee will not receive or consider any protest based solely on a decision involving the accuracy of judgement of an umpire. Protests will only be considered concerning matters of the following types:
1. Misinterpretation of a playing rule
2. Failure of an umpire to apply the correct rule to a given situation.
3. Failure to impose the correct penalty for a given violation.
The notification of intent to protest must be made to the umpire immediately before the next pitch (Exceptions: Player eligibility). The following information must be noted at the time of the protest:
1. Inning.
2. Number of outs.
3. Number of balls and strikes (if applicable)
4. Position of runners.
5. Reason for protest.
6. Umpires name.
7. Any other pertinent information.