2011 Greater Middlesex Jewish Federation Softball League Rules

Eligibility:                Affiliation with temple in Greater Middlesex Federation - * woman are allowed

Age:                       17 by Sept 30 of current year – (requires parent to be on the roster and present at the field for 17 yr old)

Game Times:                Sunday 8:30 and 10:00.  Forfeits (1^st game 8:45 -  2nd game forfeit either 10:15 or 5 mins after 1^st game ends – earliest 10:00 )

ONCE a GAME is cancelled because of RAIN NO CHANGES – Rainouts will be decided by 7:15 AM –check web site

       -1^st game curfew - no inning can start after 10:10 AM (10:15 if tied) – no second game no curfew

Schedule:                               14 Games (1  rainout this year  - playoffs start 08/21/11) – not finalized

Entry Fee:                $475 by 4/1/11.  ($25 late fee after 4/1/11) Games start 4/17/11 or 4/24/11

-Teams must bring at least 1 shovel and  1 rake to a wet field or they will be assessed a forfeit by the umpire – If umpire cancels the game it will not be played – no exceptions!

Standard ASA softball rules with the following modifications:

 Designated fielder (DF) will be allowed who does not hit – (example pitcher can be a DF and not hit) –DF can never hit – have to bat at least 9?? – out will be recorded in 1 spot in the order when team went down to 8

- All participants in a fight will be suspended 1 game for the 1^st fight, season for 2^nd.

*-  League will supply the umpires with a special first base that has the bases connected and 1 orange base. (foul territory base  must be used for runner’s base)

 - no smoking by umpires allowed – a tape measure may be used by either mgr to measure the bases and/or the pitching rubber.

- A team that forfeits will be charged $40 (no charge if league is informed by Thurs.)

#- No bunting, stealing, metal spikes, 2 piece bats, bat weights.   - ASA approved weights are OK  Softball bats cannot be 2 piece – old softball bats are OK – Must be a Softball Bat – use ASA rules for bats 2011

- Teams must start with 9 players minimum.  Unlimited DHs.  A team must finish with at least 8 players – no exceptions.  Managers using a universal order cannot remove players after the 5th inning.  No penalties if you leave before the 6th inning.  Once you establish a batting order, a player may be replaced in the field but not in the batting order.  A missing player spot in the order will be an out .  In case of legitimate injury this rule will be waived.  Players arriving late can be added to the bottom of the order.

- Managers must review rules with umpire before each game.  Manager is only person who can argue with the umpire

*- Umpires will be instructed to monitor foul language carefully and can eject if it continues (NO taunting allowed)

- No collision with catcher or any base.  Runner must slide or will be called out (Runner must slide or avoid contact or will be called out). Catcher cannot block the plate without the ball.  Umpires will be told when in doubt call the runner out.  This cannot be protested.  Blatant collisions will result in 1 game suspensions.

 - Team roster is due before 1st game.  25 player maximum.  Changes are allowed until end of the 7th game.  Roster changes must be made to the league president.

- 15 run rule.  Game is over after 5th inning.   MUST announce who needs a pinch runner before the game – Limit of 4

- Pinch runners must be approved by opposing managers at the beginning of the game.  The runner is the last batted out.

*- Umpires must announce illegal pitches.  An illegal pitch that is hit is in play.  Ball does not have to be  delivered palm up. (Spins are OK)  A ball that hits the plate or the league supplied mat is a strike..  Our league has unlimited arc with a minimum of 6 feet.  Foul on strike 3 is an out.

*- The home team has the choice of dugout. Umpire will decide ground rule double implementation at each field before the game

* - A new ball will be used at the start of the top and bottom of the 1^st inning if possible.

- In event of protest have the umpire and managers sign the score book.  The president must be informed in writing about the protest with a fee of $25.  The fee will only be returned if the protest is upheld.

- Games will be played if the umpire does not show.  The catcher for each team will be the umpire.

-  You can lead when the ball is hit or crosses the plate.

- Once the season starts no changes to the schedule.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

- Each manager must keep score in league supplied score book.

- Scores must be reported to the league representative by the winning manger within 2 weeks.  The president can assess forfeits if this is not met – one warning will be given.

- no hurdling at any base (jumping over the defensive player applying the tag)

- Line up must be given to the opposing manager.

- Anyone that drives a vehicle on any of the fields will be subject to suspension.

- Any defensive player who fakes a tag without the ball is subject to suspension. (ANY BASE)

- A player must play in a minimum of 6 games OR 50% to be eligible for the playoffs.  A player can only play for one team.

*- The first 4 teams in each division will be eligible for the playoffs.

- Tiebreakers for all playoff positions and final standings:  (team with more forfeits loses tie-breaker)

                1. Record against each other   2. Total runs against each other   

                 3. More than 2 teams tied - common record among teams tied  - then total runs for those common games

                4. Playoff Game *(only for 1^st or 4^th place determination)

*- Playoff format for all rounds:  First 4 teams make the playoffs

*week 1                                 week 2  

#1 vs #4    2 out       2 winners play for the division title     Either manager can request up to 30 minutes between games

#2 vs #3      of 3          - playoff games will start at 8:30 AM

   3 games will be played on one Sunday.

                Higher seeded team has choice for home or away in game #1 and #3.

- The manager is obligated to prove the identity of his players. A copy of the roster and player ID (drivers licenses) must be supplied if the opposing manager questions the validity of any player.  Players in the league must be Jewish or married (engaged or process of conversion) to a Jewish woman.  Protests can be filed if managers refuse to comply.

- Anyone starting a fight with a team they are not scheduled to play will be expelled from the league.                       

A player asked to leave the field after an ejection must do so when instructed.  A forfeit will result if he does not leave.

South River 1 field will not be used by the A League.

If the first game starts late because of rain, all curfews will be moved up by the delay.  For example if game starts 12 minutes late the curfew is 10:22 and 10:27 if tied.

Any suspended player will be required to attend a game and not play while under suspension before he is eligible to play again.

Softball Field Official Dimensions

Pitching Rubber – 50 ft

Bases  65 ft           

2^nd to Home   92 Ft

ASA approved Bats 2011   http://www.asasoftball.com/about/certified_equipment.asp

It is a good idea to review the rules with the umpire before every game.  Make sure you bring a copy of our rules to every game!

 Updated 3/14/11