POPSOFTBALL RULE BOOK (last update: 4/2015)

POPSOFTBALL RULE BOOK (last update: 4/2015)

POPSOFTBALL (POPS) Leagues (40 & Over and 50 & Over) will follow the official rules of the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), with exceptions as set forth in this POPS Rule Book. Each team, manager, player, and umpire affiliated with POPS shall be knowledgeable of and abide by the ASA rules as amended herein.

1.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

A.

40 & Over. Players must be 40 years of age by December 31st of that playing season. Each team is required to have a minimum of sixteen players.

B.

50 & Over. Players must be 49 years of age by December 31st of that playing season. However, each team may have up to 3 players who are 48 years of age by December 31st of that playing season.

2.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS Each team is required to have a minimum of 16 players.

3.

RULES FOR PLAYERS SWITCHING TEAMS A. A player can ask to move from their current team to any other team in POPS, including from one division to another and from one league to another (e.g., from American to National, from 40 & Over to 50 & Over).

B.

Player requests must be made by March 31st of the year they wish to switch.

C.

Impact Players

i.

ii.

iii. iv.

Each Manager may designate up to 3 “impact players” (described below) from their team. This must be done by emailing Keith Davidoff ([email protected]), Andy Eisner ([email protected]), and Keith Pastuch ([email protected]) by March 1st. A team cannot lose more than 3 players in any consecutive 2-year period, including up to 2 impact players. Therefore, over any consecutive 2-year period, a team can lose at most: (1) 3 non-impact players, (2) 1 impact player and 2 non-impact players, or (3) 2 impact players and 1 non-impact player. No team can accept more than 1 impact player per year. If a team loses 3 players in any consecutive 2-year period, no requests from players to leave that team will be considered for the following 2 consecutive years. 1

D.

Player requests to leave a team will be granted on a first come, first served basis.

E.

Process for requests to switch teams

i.

The requesting player will contact the manager of team he wants to move to. If that manager agrees to take him, the requesting player will send an email with the following information – 1. The player’s name. 2. The name of the team he wants to leave. 3. The name of the team he wants to join.

ii.

The email must be sent to 1. Keith Davidoff ([email protected]) 2. Andy Eisner ([email protected])

iii.

iv. v.

The email must be copied to 1. Keith Pastuch ([email protected]) 2. The manager of his current team. 3. The manager of the team he wants to join. The manager of the receiving team has 48 hours to respond to the email agreeing to accept the player on his team. The move will not be official until approved by the board. Keith Davidoff and Andy Eisner will track all player moves to ensure the above rules are followed, and will convey the Board’s decision to all those involved.

Note: If the manager of the receiving team does not claim the player, he can request to stay with his current team, get put on a waiting list, or sit out the season.

4.

ROLE OF POPS DIRECTORS AT GAMES POPS directors are responsible for the interpretation of POPS rules only. If there is an uncertainty or controversy regarding POPS rules during a game, managers and umpires can ask a POPS director for clarification. The POPS director cannot change an umpire’s call - after a rule has been clarified, the umpire will determine whether the call stays or changes. Only the managers can talk to the director during the game.

5.

MANAGERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES AT GAMES All managers (assistant managers a/o designated managers) and umpires will be responsible for discussing POPS rules before the game. This should also include ground rules (overthrows, extra bases, fielders running into dead territory with possession of the ball, batted ball hitting fielder and rolling into dead territory, etc.) Managers should bring the POPS rules to each game. Only managers may discuss umpire’s calls with umpires or POPS directors during the game. It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure his players do not argue with umpires. 2

6.

PLAYER CONDUCT All managers and players are expected to conduct themselves appropriately.

A.

No Tolerance Rule If a manager, director, or umpire sees a player out of control, being antagonistic, trash talking, taunting, arguing with umpires, or acting out in any way, he has the obligation to report it to the Commissioner and the Board, who will decide whether to impose the following sanctions –

i. First Offense - 1 game suspension. ii. Second Offense - 3 game suspension. iii. Third Offence – Suspension for the balance of current season.

B.

Reinstatement into the league will be reviewed by the Board prior to the following season. Players Ejected From Game If a player is ejected from a game by an umpire or a POPS Director, his team will take an out each time his spot comes up in the lineup for the balance of that game. In addition, he will be suspended beginning with the team’s next scheduled game as outlined in 6. A. i, ii, iii above.

7.

ALCOHOL/DRUGS Alcohol and recreational/illegal drugs are prohibited at all fields and parking lots before, during, and after all games. Players caught using alcohol or drugs at any field will be subject to suspension for a specified number of games at the discretion of the Commissioner and Board.

8.

PLAYING FIELDS (FIELD DIMENSIONS) A. Pitcher’s mound is 50 feet from home plate.

B.

Bases will be set at 60 feet on all fields without permanent bases. Fields with permanent bases will be played with those permanent bases.

C.

Home Plate

i.

ii.

D.

A second “runner’s” home plate will be placed at home plate for the runner to touch instead of the main home plate. For the runner to be called safe at home, his foot must touch the second “runner’s” home plate before the fielder touches the main home plate (not including the extension mat) while in possession of the ball.

Commitment Line A commitment line will be marked perpendicular to the third base line and placed half way between the front of home plate and third base. Once the runner’s foot touches the ground on or over the commitment line, the runner is committed to 3

advance to home plate. If a runner “crosses” back across the commitment line toward third base, he will be declared out and the ball will remain live. A runner is declared out at home if the fielder touches the main home plate (not including the extension mat) while in possession of the ball before the runner touches the second “runner’s” home plate

E.

Homerun

i. ii.

iii. 9.

A ball hit over any fence (in fair territory) is a homerun. There is a three over-the-fence homerun limit. Any over-the-fence homerun above the limit will be ruled a single. Runners on the base(s) will advance one base. There is no limit for inside-the-park homeruns.

FIELD-SPECIFIC GROUND RULES – OCEANSIDE H.S.

A.

All grass is “live”.

B.

If a ball enters the bushes (ivy) in right or right-center field, the fielder must make an attempt to find the ball. If the ball is not visible to the fielder, he should immediately raise his hands. The ball is considered “dead” and a triple is awarded. If the ball is visible in the bushes (ivy), then the play is live.

10. EQUIPMENT/UNIFORMS

A.

Bats: Only single-wall bats are permitted. All other bats are permitted, except those on the ASA Non-Approved Bat List. If a player is caught using an illegal bat, he will be removed from that game, and be suspended from the following game.

B.

Balls: Clincher gold softballs will be used (cork centered softballs).

C.

Cleats: Players may wear rubber cleats, sneakers, or turf cleats only (metal cleats are prohibited).

D.

Bases: All managers should bring the bases, home plate, and home plate extension provided by POPS to each game.

E.

Uniforms: Players are required to wear their team's POPS shirt to all games. If a player does not wear his team's POPS shirt, he must wear a shirt of the same color as his team's POPS shirt. If a player wears a shirt of a different color than his team's POPS shirt, he will begin each of his at bats during that game with a 2 strike count. This rule does not apply to fill-in or borrowed players.

11. BATTING PRACTICE 4

12.

A.

Batting practice in the batter’s box at Oceanside High School is not permitted. Batting practice is limited to first base or third base sides only.

B.

Batting practice is only permitted before the first game at any field.

GAME LENGTH

A.

All games will consist of seven innings (unless stopped by the umpire). A game can be called due to darkness and/or inclement weather at the discretion of the umpire. If an inning is not completed when the game is called, the score at the end of the last complete inning will be the final score.

B.

Four full innings constitutes a complete game during both regular and playoff games.

C.

Lighted Fields Double-header games have a one hour and fifteen minutes “drop dead time”. Therefore, games stop 75 minutes after the first pitch of the game. If an inning is not completed at that time, the score at the end of the last complete inning will be the final score. The umpire will be responsible for keeping time.

D.

Non-Lighted Fields There is only one game played on these fields per night. The game will be played for seven innings (unless stopped at the umpire’s discretion due to darkness or inclement weather), with no drop dead time.

13.

SCORING A maximum of eight runs per inning per team is permitted. After the eighth run scores, the game proceeds the next half inning. However, each team will be allowed to score an unlimited number of runs in the 7th inning.

14.

PLAYERS

A.

In the 40 & Over League ten defensive players are required to be on the field.

B.

In the 50 & Over League eleven defensive players are required to be on the field.

C.

Minimum Number of Players A team must have at least 8 players for each game, including as many fill-in players from other POPS teams as needed. Fill-in players are players registered with POPS who play for a team other than the opponent. (Note: For insurance reasons, every fill-in player must be a registered POPS player - this rule will be strictly enforced.) A team that has 7 or fewer players/fill-in players for a game forfeits that game. A 5

team that forfeits a regular season game will be penalized as follows - (i) they will play their first playoff game with two outs in the 1st and 3rd innings, and (ii) they will pay a $100 team fine to POPS. Also, forfeits will be taken into account (if necessary) as tie breakers when determining playoff seedings.

D.

Penalties for Teams Using Fill-in Borrowed Players (regular season) Fill-in players are defined as players registered with POPS who play for a team other than the opponent. (Note: For insurance reasons, every fill-in player must be a registered POPS player - this rule will be strictly enforced.) A team that uses 1 fill-in player or borrows 1 player from the opposing team will begin the 2nd and 4th innings with 1 out. A team that uses 2 or more fill-in players or borrows 2 players from the opposing team (or borrows 3 players for a 50 & Over game) will begin the 2nd, 4th and 6th innings with 1 out. Exception for rescheduled games - The above penalties will not apply in the case of games that have been rescheduled (for example, a make-up game for a rain out). However, 8 players (including fill-in players) are still required to avoid a forfeit (see above). Use of fill-in players - Fill-in players must bat last in the lineup and can play any fielding position other than pitcher. If a fill-in player is asked by a manager to come to a game, and enough of the team's own roster players also come to the game, the fill-in player is still permitted to play and the above penalties will not apply. Note: There are more strict penalties for using fill-in or borrowed players in playoff games. These penalties will be discussed in detail with all managers prior to the playoffs.

15.

E.

Teams are allowed free substitutions any time (including EH/DH).

F.

If a player must leave the game for any reason before it is completed, his place in the batting order may be bypassed without penalty.

G.

A player is required to play 50% of his games in the regular season to be eligible to participate in the playoffs.

PITCHING AND BATTING

A.

Ball: A new ball will be distributed at the top and bottom of the first inning. If the new ball is lost in the top of the first inning, the remaining new ball will not be used. The best ball available will be used (but cannot be a new ball).

B.

Arc: A legal pitch must have an arc of 6 to 10 feet from the playing surface. 6

C.

Strike Zone: A pitched ball that lands on the plate (including the border) or plate extension is a strike. Note: If a pitcher pitches the ball to home plate as if it were “fast pitch softball” the umpire should rule, “dead ball” and give the pitcher one warning. A call of “ball” will be awarded to the batter. If a pitcher pitches a ball to home plate a second time as if it were “fast pitch softball”, the umpire will rule, “dead ball” and remove the pitcher from the pitching position. The pitcher may remain in the game at a different position.

D.

Intentional Walk Intentional walks are permitted. The pitcher will notify the umpire and the batter is awarded first base.

E.

Ball & Strike Counts/Number of Outs

F.

16.

i. ii. iii. iv.

Each at bat starts with a 1 ball and 1 strike count. A foul ball on the last strike is an out. There are three outs per inning. There is no discussion during the game about called balls and strikes.

Batting

i. ii.

The batting order will include all players (continuous batting). The rule concerning a foul tip caught by the catcher will fall under the ASA rules.

BASERUNNING

A.

Courtesy Runner

i.

ii.

B.

The last batter-runner out or the last capable batter-runner out will be the courtesy runner. In no event may a player be a courtesy runner more than one time per inning. If no other players are available to run, the player needing the courtesy runner will be called out.

Everything is a force play. However, the fielder has the option of tagging the runner except at home plate. All bases should be thought of as a “finish line”. If the runner’s foot touches the ground on or over the “finish line” before the ball is caught by a fielder while touching the base, he is safe - whether he is advancing to a base or going back to the base. He may also go two feet to the right or left of any base to avoid contact with a 7

fielder. If the runner decides not to cross the “finish line” of a base and instead stops in between bases, the play remains live until either he is tagged or forced out trying to get to either base.

C.

Overrunning

i.

ii.

Overrunning (straight through) the base you are advancing to or returning from is permitted. If the runner makes an attempt to advance to the next base after overrunning a base, he will be subject to being put out (force out or tag play). This play is considered “live”.

D.

First Base (Double Bag) First base is a white and orange double bag (fair and foul territory). It is the runner’s responsibility to avoid contact when going into first base. The fielder must touch the white bag and the runner must touch the orange bag; however, to avoid contact the fielder and the runner can switch bags.

E.

Second & Third Base (Single Bag) Overrunning of second base and third base is permitted (just like first base). It is the runner’s responsibility to avoid contact when going into second or third base; therefore, the runner must step approximately two feet to the left or right of the bag (or on the bag) to avoid contact. The runner is “out” if he runs more than two feet to the left or right of the base. This will be the umpire’s judgment and cannot be protested.

F.

Homeplate

G.

i.

If there is a play at home plate, the fielder must touch (step on) the main home plate not including the extension mat. There is no tag play allowed at home plate.

ii.

The only time the runner is permitted to touch the main home plate is to avoid contact with the fielder. For all other cases, the first time a runner steps on main home plate, the umpire will issue a “team warning”. A runner (from the warned team) that steps on the main home plate after the team has been warned will be ruled “out”.

Sliding & Diving Sliding and diving to a base is not permitted. A base runner who slides or dives to a base will be ruled “out”. If a player trips or falls down, he cannot touch the base with his hand(s). He must get 8

up on both feet and step on the base. NOTE: The umpire will determine if a player has slid or has fallen. This is the umpire’s judgment call and cannot be protested.

H.

Contact The base runner should make every attempt to avoid contact with the fielder. He can run two feet to the left and right of the base to do so.

i. ii.

Avoidable Contact: Base runner has time and opportunity to avoid contact but did not. Base runner is ruled out. Incidental Contact: Fielder interferes with base runners path. The runner has no time and opportunity to avoid contact. Baserunner is ruled safe.

All contact calls are the umpire’s judgment and cannot be protested.

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