Fields
1. Local park and field rules established/posted by
the authorities must be adhered to in entirety and should be
acknowledged prior to the first game with the umpire and by each
team.
2. Violation(s) of said park rules
and regulations will result in the immediate ejection from the
games that day. Additional violations will result in a suspension
from the League.
3. Home field coaches are
responsible for presenting/providing Field Specific Rules set by
authorities if needed if no local park and field rules are
physically posted or are illegible.
GAME CANCELLATIONS
1. Games can be cancelled by the
game umpire(s) or by mutual agreement of the game managers should
conditions be deemed unplayable.
2. Games may be cancelled for
extreme heat or cold weather temperatures.
3. An umpire may cancel a game or
games due to unfavorable weather or field conditions.
GAME DELAYS
Caused by a Player, Manager or
Team
The following rule is consistent
with the SSUSA rulebook and is included for emphasis:
If by the umpire’s judgment a team
consciously attempts to delay the start or continuation of a game,
the umpire after issuing a warning, may immediately begin to call
balls and strikes.
GAME REPORTS
Reporting to the League webmaster
1. The home team manager should
communicate the scores by 4.p.m. of the game day to the League’s
webmaster(s).
2. All problems concerning umpires
or game-related issues are to be communicated by the home team
manager (or Assistant if Manager is unavailable) to the League.
GAME RULES
At Bat Etiquette
SSUSA Rules Apply: (Additional content below is included for emphasis)
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Umpires have the authority to
issue warnings and eject players for flagrant behavior or
intimidation tactics.
Verbal Interference: Verbal distractions are a form of
interference that "impedes, hinders, or confuses" the player,
which can lead to immediate dead ball calls.
Base Running at Fist Base
1. When there is a play made at
first base, the batter/runner must touch the orange base ONLY.
2. If any portion of the white base
is touched, the batter/runner will be deemed “out” only if called
out by the umpire; however, the ball will remain live.
3. Appeals are not permitted in the
event the umpire does not call the player out.
4. The only exception to this rule
occurs when an errant throw pulls the first baseman (or any player
catching the ball at first base) into foul territory. In this
case, the batter/runner may touch either base. The defensive
player can only touch the white base in order for the
batter/runner to be called out. Extra base hits: double, triple or
homerun (inside the park) does not apply.
Base
Running (Leaving Base before Contact)
The batter must make contact with
the ball prior to a base runner leaving a base. The umpire must
see it and call the base runner(s) out for leaving a base early.
If the umpire does not see a base runner leave early the base
runner is not out. No appeals are permitted nor is reliance on the
runner to state whether he had come off the base to be considered.
Defensive Plays at Home Plate
1. Runners will be called out at the
home plate area when the defensive player in possession of the
ball is in contact with any portion of the expanded “home plate
area”.
2. Touching the expanded “home plate
area” is defined as contacting any part of the expanded plate
(including a mat, if utilized) by the defensive player in
possession/control of the ball.
3. Runners may not be tagged out
after they pass the commitment line running to the home plate
area.
Extra Innings
SSUSA rules (runner placed at second
base to start the inning) will not be used. Games will continue to
be played until the game is won by one team.
Five Run Rule/Catch Up Rule
1. The maximum number of runs that
can be scored by each team shall be five (5) runs per inning
during the first through sixth innings.
2. If the team batting is behind by
more than six (6) or more runs at any time during the first 6
innings, the batting team is permitted to catch up and tie the
other team’s run total.
For example, if a team is down by
seven runs, 7-14, that team can score seven (7) runs to tie the
game at 14 runs. Note, hits and home runs with multiple runners in
scoring position cannot exceed the runs permitted once the game is
tied. In the above example, if a total of seven runs (7) are
needed to tie the game and a total more than (7) runs potentially
could score due to a grand slam home run with the score being
12-14, only two (2) of the four (4) runs per the grand slam are
permitted to achieve the total of (7) runs to tie the game that
inning; the other two runs are discarded.
3. The 7th Inning is the Only Open
Run Inning - There is no run limit for the inning and subsequent
extra innings if needed. (Applies for the Regular Season &
Playoff Season)
Game Ending Mercy Rule
A 15-run rule will be in effect
after the trailing team bats five (5) complete innings. (Applies
to Regular season and Playoff Season)
Infield Fly Rule
When an “infield fly” is called by
the umpire, the batter is out, runners advance at their own risk.
The rule mandates that the batter is automatically out
on a fair, catchable pop-up (not a line drive or bunt) with
runners on 1st/2nd or bases loaded with less than two outs,
allowing baserunners to advance at their own risk without the
threat of a force-out.
Number of Players Required for an official
game
A team must have nine players
present in order to begin a game. The opposing team will provide a
catcher who will make defensive plays only - this is subsequent to
the opposing team having sufficient players to accommodate.
However, if a team has 10 players, the opposing team is not
permitted to provide a catcher for defensive plays only - the
rationale is that the 10 player team has the advantage of cycling
through the batting order more often. The team must bat 10 and/or
11 players and each short player is considered an automatic out in
the lineup at the 10 and/or 11 spot.
One-and-One Pitch Count for the Game
All games start with a "one-and-one"
pitch count. (Regular season and Playoffs)
Pitcher Safety
Use of the pitching screen is
MANDATORY for a pitcher to get behind for protection after
releasing the ball. A pitcher who does not use the screen for
safety should be encouraged to wear gear to protect the face,
chest, and shins. - the League DOES NOT provide this equipment.
NOTE:The pitcher accepts all the risks of injury if he does
utilize the screen.
Pitching Screen Rules for Balls that Hit the
Screen
1. A batted ball striking any part
of the screen, or its frame/container, shall be considered a
strike and a dead ball.
2. A batted ball striking any part
of the screen, or its frame/container, whenever there are two (2)
strikes on the batter, is considered a dead ball, a foul ball
third strike out.
3. A ball thrown or touched by a
defensive player that comes in contact with any portion of the
pitching screen shall be considered “in play”
4. A defensive player making any
unintentional contact with any portion of the screen shall do so
at their own risk. The ball shall remain “live” and “in play.”
5. A pitcher or defensive player may
not intentionally knock down or move the screen in the event of a
throw coming from the outfield/infield to first base or home
plate. The pitching net is installed for pitcher safety not
defensive strategy. Base advancement and runners scored will be
directed by the umpire.
Positioning of Pitching Net/Screen After the
Start of the Game
1. At the beginning of each inning
the pitcher may move the Pitching Screen to the left or right but
no further than the closest edge of the pitching rubber.
2. Once placed, unless a new pitcher
enters the game, the pitching screen cannot be moved once the
defensive inning has started.
3. If the pitching screen is moved
away from its position after the start of the inning, the pitcher
will be warned. In the event of a second violation during that
game, the pitcher will be disqualified from pitching the remainder
of the innings and games that day.
Protests
Protests must be made by a team
manager or designee. At the point of protest, the umpire must be
immediately notified of a protest, and the umpire must sign the
protesting manager’s score book. In the event there was no umpire
present at the protested game, the opposing team manager must be
made aware of the protest at the point of protest. A protest must
be communicated by the protesting manager to the League ASAP,
followed by a written statement outlining the reason(s) for the
protest. Upon receipt of the written protest, the League must
contact the umpire to discuss the situation.
Runner Passing the Commitment Line
A runner on or rounding third base
may not return to third base after passing the commitment line and
must run to the home plate area.
Slide or Veer Requirement at 2nd and 3rd base
1. A baserunner must not initiate
contact with any defense player or is automatically out.
2. A runner must either slide or
veer to avoid contact with a defensive player at either second or
third base AND to permit the defensive player to make a throw. To
clarify the throw rule, a runner must slide or veer out of the way
of an outgoing ball thrown by the fielder in an attempt to
complete a double play. For example, a runner cannot stay in the
baseline and try to block such a throw during a double play
attempt. The runner must slide or veer (duck) away from the throw.
3. Incidental contact, which is a
judgement call by the umpire, shall not be subject to this rule.
4. The league’s slide or veer rule
should be discussed with the umpire prior to the beginning of the
game by the managers.
5. A player is permitted to slide in
the “home plate area” only at the scoring/second plate.
This supersedes the SSUSA
language below only for scoring at home plate.
The
following language is included from the SSUSA rules for emphasis:
Sliding or diving into first base or
the scoring line or scoring plate is permitted ONLY to avoid a
collision with a defensive player. This is an umpire’s judgment
call and is not subject to protest or appeal. A player may slide
or dive into second or third bases, or when returning to any base.
A runner must make every effort to avoid colliding with opposing
players while running the bases or sliding or diving.
If in the umpire’s judgment a runner misses a base to
avoid a collision, the runner will not be called out. If in the
umpire’s judgment the runner fails to avoid a collision with a
defensive player involved in the play, the ball will be declared
dead and the runner called out. All base runners except for the
batter will be returned to their previous base unless forced to
advance. If in the umpire’s judgement the runner’s collision with
the defensive player involved in the play negates a double play,
the umpire may award a second out. See Code of Conduct for rough
or aggressive playing tactics.
Stepping
Off First or Third Base
1. Runners may place themselves in
foul territory at 3rd and 1st base to avoid injury being struck by
balls hit in their direction. The runner MUST announce his
intention to the umpire.
2. Runners stepping off the base
MUST re-touch their respective base before advancing. Failure to
do so will result in an out, but the ball shall remain in play.
(Only umpire can make that call)
Third Strike Foul Ball or Foul Tip
A foul tip on the third strike shall
be considered an out.
Tie Games
When a game must be called after 5
innings and the score is tied, the game is recorded as a tie game.
The game then counts as a half of win (+ .5) or half of loss (-.5)
toward the teams’ season records. Games will not be made-up or
later completed.
GAME SCHEDULES
Starting Times
1. Double headers shall be played
each Sunday as indicated in the League schedule.
2. Games start at 9:00 a.m
LINE-UP SHEETS
1. Line-up sheets shall designate
the batting order of players. Providing the defensive position of
the players is optional. (First or Lasts must be used and list on
the the line-up sheet)
2. Line-ups must be exchanged at the
start of each game for official record-keeping to determine player
playoff eligibility.
3. Inserting an illegal player into
the line-up and playing results in a team forfeit of game(s).
MAKE-UP GAMES
Make-up games are scheduled and
built in at the end of the season’s schedule.
TEAM ELIGIBILITY -
ROSTERS - ROSTER TAMPERING
Rosters: Need to be Submitted the
Week Prior to the First Game of the Season.
Roster Limits, Playing Time
Expectations, Playoff Validation: A
team may carry a minimum of 14 players and a maximum of 18 on
their roster. All rostered players present during gameday, if not
injured, must bat (Regular season). During the playoffs, each team
has the right to "match" the same amount of batters in the order.
1. Each team must have a minimum of 14 active players rostered
during the playing season. No team shall consist of more than 18
players on their roster. Only eligible players may be rostered.
(See Player Eligibility)
2. Rosters will remain intact from
year-to-year. Players may be added based on the number of players
needed to meet minimum team roster requirements.
3. The league goal is to create
teams with parity of talent to promote good competition.
If a team falls below 12 active
players on their roster, the League managers will assist in
finding replacement roster players.
4. A player who played in the league
before may A) Get traded. B) Elect to leave the team and enter
into the player draft/pool. C) A coach may issue an unconditional
release from the team.
5. Unreliability Rule: A manager may
request approval from the league to remove a player from his
roster if the player fails to show up (as a no show, meaning that
he said he would show up, then no call and no show) for two
consecutive sets of game or fails to advise the manager until the
last minute that he is not coming on three occasions to that point
in the season. A combination of three no shows or last- minute
cancellations or, a player continues to call out as not playing
week in and week out, wasting a roster spot also applies. The
player should receive a warning with a phone call from the Manager
prior to removal in order to correct the behavior. If removed from
that roster, the player will be removed from the roster.
6. Players not on the roster sheet
at the beginning of the season shall be deemed illegal if inserted
into the line-up during any game of the season. (This excludes
players added to a roster based on minimum team roster
requirements explained in the Roster section)
7. Rosters must be submitted one (1)
week prior to the start of the season. Any roster not submitted
will result in a forfeit(s) per week. If no roster is submitted by
a team(s) will not participate in games to include the playoffs.
The League Coaches not in violation will determine, if necessary,
additional consequence(s) for the manager(s) and team(s) in
violation.
8. No coach/manager, assistant
coach/manager, or team member may actively pursue a player from
another team during the season. A first offense is a two game
suspension. A second offense is a 10 game suspension. A suspension
will carry over into the following season if fewer games remain in
the season the suspension was issued. The League Coaches/Teams not
in violation will determine, if necessary, additional
consequence(s) for the team(s) in violation.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
Age Determination
A player must attain the age of 45
at any time during the calendar year of that season to be eligible
to play.
Age Verification
1. Team managers are responsible for
age verification for all players on their roster.
2. Managers shall instruct players
to bring identification and be prepared to show it to any League
official during any game.
3. A Manager may inquire directly to
a player’s Manager prior to the next game regarding a player’s age
eligibility. The player in question must provide an ID to be
presented to the managers for age verification.
Consequences to a Team After a Player
Ejection
1. When a player is ejected, a
manager may not replace him with another player. An out will be
recorded for every scheduled at bat for the ejected player during
the game in progress.
2. There are no line-up restrictions
on the ejected player’s team for the second game, when a player is
ejected from game one. The second game is simply played without
the ejected player.
3. The ejected player’s team may use
an eligible substitute (pool player) for any subsequent games that
the ejected player is forced to miss if the team needs an eligible
substitute (pool player) to make 10 players. The use of a pool
player due to ejection would mostly occur when an ejection occurs
in the second game of the two games (doubleheader) played.
Therefore, the game the ejected player must sit out would carry
over to the first game of the next doubleheader to be played. Pool
players will bat last at the end of the line up.
Backfill Rosters Due to Ejection, Shortage of
Available Players, Bye-Week Players
1. Pool players are eligible to fill
positions only if 12 or less players are present on gameday.
2. Rostered team players on a
bye-week are eligible to fill positions for teams scheduled to
play if pool players are unavailable and if 12 or less players of
the team are present on gameday.
3. Pool players are to be considered
first and selected randomly in effort of fairness. Roster players
will be considered next if pool players are not available.
Ejections by the Umpire for Cause
Game Ejections Regarding Section
I or Section II Violations:
First Ejection - the player is
removed from the game and prohibited from the next game.
Second Ejection - the player is removed from the game and
suspended for the season.
NOTE: Refer to the Code of
Conduct section for specific conditions and behaviors that
trigger ejections.
Game Day
Any player on the roster who arrives
after the start of the game is permitted to play but must be added
to the bottom of the line-up for that game.
Playoffs
1. A player must have played in 50%
of regular season games played to participate.
2. Rainouts do not count for or
against the total of games played.
3. An injured player is credited
with games played while injured only if in attendance of games.
This is subject to the severity of
the injury to the player(s). Managers should notify the League
managers of the injured player(s).
4. Roster additions during the
season must play in 50% of the remaining games to be played.
5. The higher seed can select any
one of the fields as the playoff field.
PLAYER TRADES/REASSIGNMENTS
During the roster building process,
managers may engage in player trades/reassignments. No further
trades/reassignments are permitted once the rosters are set.
Trading of players between teams need only be approved by the
managers directly involved. The player(s) involved in the trade
must also approve the trade. Any trade of players between managers
must be communicated to the League Managers.
TEAM FORFEIT - GAME DAY
1. If a team fails to field at least
9 players by 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, the game
will be forfeited.
2. The second game must start no
later than 15 minutes following forfeit of the first game or the
second game is also forfeited.
3. The score to be recorded for a
forfeited game shall be 7 to 0.
4. In the event of a forfeit due to
insufficient players, all players from both teams present at the
field shall receive credit for playing the game, to be applied to
playoff eligibility.
5. Players present are encouraged to
play an exhibition game rather than just go home.
During the championship round of
playoffs, managers may mutually agree to use more than one umpire.
Any additional cost shall be borne by the teams involved.
APPENDIX: CODE OF
CONDUCT
ZERO
TOLERANCE IS IN EFFECT
Game Ejections Regarding Section I or Section II
Violations:
First
Ejection - the player is removed from the game and prohibited
from the next game.
Second ejection the player is removed from the game and
suspended for the season.
SECTION
I
A.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager or Spectator
Shall: Verbally or visually demonstrate, in an aggressively
disrespectful manner, disagreement with an umpire or league
official’s decision. It shall be the right of the Manager to
request, in a respectful manner, an explanation of a call or rule
interpretation.
B.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager or Spectator
Shall: Appear on the
field of play under the influence of alcohol or a controlled
substance, or consume alcohol at the facility prior to or during
the game.
C.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager or Spectator
Shall: Use aggressive profane, obscene or vulgar language or
gestures in any manner, at any time towards another player,
umpire, coach or spectator.
D.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager, or Spectator
Shall: Significantly harass, heckle, insult, jeer or use verbal
tactics to embarrass or insult a league official and participant
(e.g., teammate) at any time before, during or after a game.
E.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager, or Team
Representative Shall: Use rough or aggressive playing tactics that
could result in injury.
F.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager or Team
Representative Shall: Give false or misleading information or fail
to cooperate with a legitimate request from a league official.
G.
Team Managers Shall:
When requested by the game official, assist him or her in
the enforcement of the Player Code of Conduct or rules and control
players making threats.
H.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager or Spectator
Shall: Throw equipment in anger or frustration, such as bats,
gloves, balls, bases, etc. causing a safety or unsportsmanlike
issue. Depending on the severity, the consequence can be a warning
and/or ejection by the umpire and/or penalty from the League.
Penalties
for Section I Violations
●
The umpire is in charge
of the game and will use his/her judgement about conduct that
warrants a warning or an ejection of a player, coach, or
spectator. This applies to all Sections of this Code of Conduct.
If the umpire ejects a player from the first game of a
doubleheader, that player is not permitted to play in the second
game that day. The umpire can require the ejected player to leave
the field of play, meaning beyond the umpire’s sight and hearing
from the field for the remainder of the day.
●
A (1-2) one or two game
suspension can be imposed by the League for each individual
violation of Section I beyond the umpire’s ejection, if imposed.
Suspension can be appealed, in writing, and submitted to the
League. If the violation occurs in the first game of a double
header, and the player sat out the second game that day, that game
can count as game one of a subsequent League imposed suspension. A
two game suspension could be the second game that day and the
first game of the next double header. If the violation occurs in
the second game, the player sits out the remainder of the game as
well as the next two games. The umpire will decide if the player
must leave the field/facility so that the umpire cannot hear or
see the player. One of the managers will inform the League.
●
Penalty will be doubled
if this is the second violation in a one-year period. A
third violation within that playing year may result in up to a one
year suspension.
●
The League reserves the
right to increase this penalty as the situation warrants. Each
incident will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
●
SSUSA rules apply: The
spot in the line-up vacated by the ejected
player cannot be filled by another player. An out in the
line-up occurs each time the removed player would have come to bat
in that game.
SECTION
II
A.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager or Spectator
Shall: Be guilty of verbal threats of any kind, be verbally
discriminatory (discriminatory, sexually) toward any other
participant, team manager, player, spectator, umpire, or league
official.
B.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager, or Spectator
Shall: Engage in a continuous verbal attack upon an official,
other participants or spectators after they have been ejected from
a game and/or make a verbal threat of physical violence upon
anyone.
C.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager, or Spectator
Shall: Charge an official, or make incidental physical contact
with the body, or kick dirt or other matter on the official when
disputing a decision.
D.
No Participant (e.g., player), Team Manager, or Spectator
Shall: Fail to abide by an official’s decision. Player(s) must
leave the facility if requested by the game official. Failure to
do so will result in a forfeit by the ejected player(s) team for
the remaining game(s) that day.
Penalties
for Section II Violations:
1. A game
suspension may be imposed for each violation of Section II. If the
violation occurs in the first game of a double header, the player
will sit the second game that day. If the violation occurs in the
second game, the player sits out the remainder of that game and
the next scheduled game, too. The umpire will decide if the player
must leave the field/facility entirely. One of the managers will
inform the League.
2.
The penalty will be doubled when it is the second violation in the
same year. A player thrown out of a game must sit the remainder of
that game plus the next game. A player thrown out of a second game
is done for the season.
3. A third
violation within that playing year may result in an additional
suspension, season suspension, or removal from the league
entirely. NOTE: A violation period is not limited to only the
present year and does carryover into the following season(s).
4.
The League reserves the right to increase this penalty as the
situation warrants. Each incident will be dealt with on a
case-by-case basis.
5. SSUSA
rules apply: The spot in the line-up vacated by the suspended
player cannot be filled by another player. An out in the line-up
occurs each time the removed player would have come to bat in that
game.
6. Appeal: See Code of
Conduct Section IV, paragraph 2.
SECTION III
A.
No Participant, Team Manager, or Spectator Shall: Be
guilty of causing or intending to cause physical contact with an
official, player or spectator when disputing a decision.
B.
No Participant, Team Manager, or Spectator Shall: Perform
battery (as defined in the NJ Penal Code) upon any game official,
league representative, player or spectator at any time on or near
a playing facility and/or at a meeting facility.
C. No
manager or player shall: Purposefully manipulate their roster to
gain a competitive advantage, such as calling players to stay home
in order to have their best players only play.
Penalties for
Section III Violations:
1. A
participant will be immediately suspended from further play until
the incident is reviewed by the League. A remainder of the year or
full year suspension is the recommended minimum penalty, although
the League has the final decision. Depending on the severity of an
incident, past conduct and other factors, a participant may be
suspended for up to 5 years by the League.
2.
Depending upon the severity of the incident a penalty may be
doubled if this is the second occurrence of a serious nature.
3. The
League reserves the right to increase this penalty as the
situation warrants. The League will determine if the altercation
is self defense or retaliation. Each incident will be dealt with
on a case-by-case basis.
4. SSUSA
rules apply: The spot in the line-up vacated by the suspended
player cannot be filled by another player. An out in the line-up
occurs each time the removed player would have come to bat in that
game.
[No
Participant, Team Manager, or Spectator Shall: Engage in or
provoke a physical attack on another participant at the facility.
This includes retaliation for the actions of another player. (A
player or person has the right to defend him/herself from a
physical attack but not to further escalate the situation or
retaliate.) See Section III, item A for further details if
applicable. This action may be deemed a section III violation.]
SECTION IV
REVIEW
AND APPEAL PROCESS
1. Game
officials/managers will notify the League of the incident. The
League will gather information pertaining to the incident for
League review.
2. The
League will review the incident and make a final decision, and may
impose additional penalties if warranted, as outlined in the Penalty
Section. The manager and involved players will be notified
by the League of the findings and decision(s).
3. The
League will communicate to all managers each/all decisions
relating to suspensions.
