League Rules

League Rules

Contact for season is Paul Sluckis (508) 853-3257 or E-mail softball@sluckis.com

1 The Intent of the League is to have fun, and is open to all comers !!!!!

2 Team rosters: a list of participants is required by the City of Worcester as part of the permit process, however this has never been enforced. If it becomes necessary, the commish will send an e-mail to the captains list with the roster sheet as an e-mail attachment. As new players are added, the new complete roster should be forwarded to me. With the exception of new employees no new players will allowed two weeks prior to the start of playoffs. HONESTY PLEASE!

3 Games are played at Doherty High School, Monday through Thursday. (as of 7/2003 we are no longer playing at Doherty, games are at the Burncoat High Softball field, and across the street in the park)

4 Should a team be unable to field 8 players, e-mail Paul Sluckis, and the opposing manager by 2PM on the day of the game. A forfeit by the score of 6 - 0, will be recorded.

5 In the event of inclement weather, team managers will be contacted by 3:00 p.m. If you don’t hear from the commissioner, assume that play is going on, it’s New England, and weather can change.

6 Home team manager of the first game will pick up the equipment, and the home team manager of the second game will return it. If there was only one game, the visiting manager will return the equipment. A location to keep the equipment within Allmerica has not been determined. Managers need to coordinate the transfer of equipment from one day to the next. A new ball will be used for every game. Each team will be provided with a supply of game balls. The home team captain is responsible for providing the softball.

7 If a game is canceled, after it has begun, the score will be as of the last complete inning. (Note: game must go 3 complete innings, or 2 1/2 innings if the home team is winning).

8 All games will be 6 innings. Time permitting, extra innings will be played if the score is tied at the end of regulation play.

9 No new inning may start after the scheduled start time of the second game

10 Winning managers should notify me of the score, by e-mail, the following day (or as soon as possible). Standings will be published each week. If this is to work I need all scores from the previous week by Monday. Please don’t make me hunt you down to obtain scores!

11 Beverages: All beverages should be poured in plastic cups. No drinking from cans or bottles. Please clean up after yourself. Pick up your cans and other trash, and take it with you.

12 Trash: Please keep the field clean. The City of Worcester made it very clear that the fields should be clean when you leave, our permit depends on it. I don’t care if it isn’t your trash, pick it up. Everybody please pitch in! Empties should not be placed in the trash can at the field.

13 Umpires: we will use ‘umpires’ at playoff games. When available, two ‘umpires’ will be used, one behind the plate, and one in the field. These ‘umpires’ are people from within the league who agree to attend games involving teams on which they don’t play. The ‘umpires’ will be there to make critical calls as necessary. If the designated ‘umpire’ is not at the game, a person mutually agreed upon by the managers will fill in.

14 People playing on multiple teams: this will not be allowed. A person can play on a single team. The only exception is when asked to play on a team that doesn’t have enough players, on an occasional basis. Filling in will be allowed for the regular season, but is prohibited during the playoffs.

15 Managers should go over ground rules, and questions, before the game begins. The managers should be sure than their players are familiar with the game rules.

16 Ground Rule Double: if the little league is using the other field, and a ball is struck to right field, among the little leaguers, it will be deemed a ground rule double. The fielder can however make an attempt to catch a fly ball. (this rule was specifically for Doherty. In general if the ball is interfered with in the outfield by a non player while in the field of play, this is a ground rule double.)

17 Rule disputes: The persons closest to the play has the final call. Get the ruling over with and play on.

18 Remember, there will be no umpires, during the regular season! BE FAIR !!!

19 General Pitching Guidelines. No fast pitch. Pitch must have an arc, between 6 and 10 feet. ( A good pitch will land behind home plate). The 6-10 arc is a guideline. It is the responsibility of the manager to make sure that their pitcher can throw the ball reasonably near the plate. If the pitcher can’t do so they should be replaced. If the fielding team manager doesn’t do so, the batting team manager should REMIND the fielding team manager of this rule. We need to keep games moving. On the flip side of the coin, batters please don’t wait for the perfect.

20 No metal spikes. Sliding is allowed.

21 No stealing, bunting, or leaving base before the ball crosses the plate.

22 Foul on 3rd strike is an out.

23 Players can be freely substituted in and out of the game defensively

24 Mercy Rule: 10 batters maximum per inning. The 10th batter must advise the catcher before the 1st pitch to the 10th batter. Play is dead when a member of the fielding team who has control of the ball touches a base ahead of the runner closest to home. The 10 batter rule maximum applies even if a team has less than 10 players, in which case some players may bat twice per inning. An overthrow that is normally out of bounds will be considered still in play (to prevent opposing team from purposely throwing ball out of bounds.)

25 If 2 women are not present, the opposing team will designate 2 men who will bat opposite handed (if one woman is present only one man bats opposite.) If one of these players leaves the game the opposing team will make a new designation. A team with less than 2 women must notify the opposing team prior to their 1st batter hitting.

26 10 players in the field maximum. A team cannot play with less than 8 players (forfeit), but can finish with less. If a team has 8 players the opposing team is required to supply a catcher. The supplied catcher doesn’t cover home, but does make fair/foul calls. If a team has 9 or more players the team must supply its own catcher.

27 All team members (whether in the field or not) must bat in order. Once the persons place in the batting order has been established (by batting once), the order cannot be changed.

28 Designated runner: a designated runner will be allowed for anyone after they have reached base

29 Double First Base: to avoid collisions, we will employ a runner base and a fielder base.

30 Double Home Plate: again, to avoid collisions, we will employ a runner and a fielder base. The fielder must be in contact with the ‘real’ homeplate, and in control of the ball, prior to a runner touching the secondary home plate in order to record an out. If the double homeplate is used, then the ‘Home plate safety rule’ and the ‘Sluckis enhancement’ are not in effect.

31 As a safety issue, the use of bats that are not single walled, or by their use appear to act as something other than single walled bats is prohibited. Bats of this type include but are not limited to those named as ‘multi piece’, and ‘inner core’ or those containing the words ‘shell’ or ‘wall’, unless it’s ‘single wall’ or ‘single shell.’ The league will continually evaluate if various types of bats should be excluded from play. In general if a bat is over $100, or is a Demirini it’s probably illegal. This is an evolving rule, we will always run across exceptions. If a person is found to be using an illegal bat they will be called out. It doesn’t matter if you hit the ball, just that you were at bat with it. If the bat is determined to be illegal, after the ball is struck, the play will be called dead, and any runners will be returned to their original base. If you aren’t sure if a bat is legal, consult with the opposing captain before the game begins.

32 Sharing of Bats: all bats used at a game will be available to anyone that wishes to use them, on either team. If someone brings a personal bat to the game it should be placed near the bat bag with all the other bats.

33 Outfielder positions: One short fielder can play anywhere. The other three outfielders should be at least 120 feet from home plate. After the ball crosses the plate the outfielders may move anywhere. The 120 foot distance will be measured and marked off my orange spray paint. The cones should be placed on the orange mark (for distance.) The cones should be adjusted for fair/foul as needed. A second set of cones when available should be placed further in the outfield to aid in the calling of fair/foul balls.

34 Home Plate Safety Rule: If a runner has advanced more than 2/3’s, down the third base line, the catcher does not have to tag the runner, but only touch the plate, and the runner is out. Once a runner has crossed the line he/she cannot go back to 3rd base. The fielder tagging home plate must have control of the ball when the plate is tagged.

35 Sluckis enhancement to the "Home Plate Safety Rule":
Fielder: To prevent injury(to either party) the fielder shouldn’t stand on homeplate. Stand in front of the plate (toward pitchers mound) if at all possible to give the runner a clear path to the plate. If you have the ball and don’t touch home plate (in order to avoid a collision) the runner will be out. Fielder must be within 2 feet (or so) of the plate to be considered ‘on’ home plate. When possible the circle will be designated by spray paint or another suitable outline.

Runner: if the fielder happens to be blocking the plate, don’t run him/her over to tag the plate. You will be considered safe without having touched homeplate if the fielder doesn’t have the ball.

Managers:since this is a gray area advise players that physical contact is a no-no. Since there will always be gray areas when applying the homeplate rule, err on the side of safety. The disposition of the runner can be determined, without injury, after the play is over.

Don’t block the plate. Play Nice!!!! Get the idea!!!!!

36 Overthrow Rule: At the point when a thrown ball goes out of bounds, any runners (including the batter) are awarded the base they are running to and 1 extra base. For 10^th batter, runners will be awarded two bases, but the ball will still be in play (this avoids purposely throwing the ball out of bounds to prevent the batter, and runner on first base from scoring)
Examples:

runner heading toward 2nd, gets 2nd and 3rd.

runner between 1st and 2nd, heading back to 1st, gets 1st and 2nd.

37 The catcher calls fair/foul balls. If the orange cones are available they will be placed in the field to aid in the calling of fair/foul balls.

38 Infield Fly Rule: If there are runners in force positions, with less than two outs, and a ball is popped up in the infield (in fair territory), that can be caught without undo effort, then the batter will be called out.

1	The Intent of the League is to have fun, and is open to all comers !!!!!
2	Team rosters: a list of participants is required by the City of Worcester as part of the permit process, however this has never been enforced. If it becomes necessary, the commish will send an e-mail to the captains list with the roster sheet as an e-mail attachment. As new players are added, the new complete roster should be forwarded to me. With the exception of new employees no new players will allowed two weeks prior to the start of playoffs. HONESTY PLEASE!
3	Games are played at Doherty High School, Monday through Thursday. (as of 7/2003 we are no longer playing at Doherty, games are at the Burncoat High Softball field, and across the street in the park)
4	Should a team be unable to field 8 players, e-mail Paul Sluckis, and the opposing manager by 2PM on the day of the game. A forfeit by the score of 6 - 0, will be recorded.
5	In the event of inclement weather, team managers will be contacted by 3:00 p.m. If you don’t hear from the commissioner, assume that play is going on, it’s New England, and weather can change.
6	Home team manager of the first game will pick up the equipment, and the home team manager of the second game will return it. If there was only one game, the visiting manager will return the equipment. A location to keep the equipment within Allmerica has not been determined. Managers need to coordinate the transfer of equipment from one day to the next. A new ball will be used for every game. Each team will be provided with a supply of game balls. The home team captain is responsible for providing the softball.
7	If a game is canceled, after it has begun, the score will be as of the last complete inning. (Note: game must go 3 complete innings, or 2 1/2 innings if the home team is winning).
8	All games will be 6 innings. Time permitting, extra innings will be played if the score is tied at the end of regulation play.
9	No new inning may start after the scheduled start time of the second game
10	Winning managers should notify me of the score, by e-mail, the following day (or as soon as possible). Standings will be published each week. If this is to work I need all scores from the previous week by Monday. Please don’t make me hunt you down to obtain scores!
11	Beverages: All beverages should be poured in plastic cups. No drinking from cans or bottles. Please clean up after yourself. Pick up your cans and other trash, and take it with you.
12	Trash: Please keep the field clean. The City of Worcester made it very clear that the fields should be clean when you leave, our permit depends on it. I don’t care if it isn’t your trash, pick it up. Everybody please pitch in! Empties should not be placed in the trash can at the field.
13	Umpires: we will use ‘umpires’ at playoff games. When available, two ‘umpires’ will be used, one behind the plate, and one in the field. These ‘umpires’ are people from within the league who agree to attend games involving teams on which they don’t play. The ‘umpires’ will be there to make critical calls as necessary. If the designated ‘umpire’ is not at the game, a person mutually agreed upon by the managers will fill in.
14	People playing on multiple teams: this will not be allowed. A person can play on a single team. The only exception is when asked to play on a team that doesn’t have enough players, on an occasional basis. Filling in will be allowed for the regular season, but is prohibited during the playoffs.
15	Managers should go over ground rules, and questions, before the game begins. The managers should be sure than their players are familiar with the game rules.
16	Ground Rule Double: if the little league is using the other field, and a ball is struck to right field, among the little leaguers, it will be deemed a ground rule double. The fielder can however make an attempt to catch a fly ball. (this rule was specifically for Doherty. In general if the ball is interfered with in the outfield by a non player while in the field of play, this is a ground rule double.)
17	Rule disputes: The persons closest to the play has the final call. Get the ruling over with and play on.
18	Remember, there will be no umpires, during the regular season! BE FAIR !!!
19	General Pitching Guidelines. No fast pitch. Pitch must have an arc, between 6 and 10 feet. ( A good pitch will land behind home plate). The 6-10 arc is a guideline. It is the responsibility of the manager to make sure that their pitcher can throw the ball reasonably near the plate. If the pitcher can’t do so they should be replaced. If the fielding team manager doesn’t do so, the batting team manager should REMIND the fielding team manager of this rule. We need to keep games moving. On the flip side of the coin, batters please don’t wait for the perfect.
20	No metal spikes. Sliding is allowed.
21	No stealing, bunting, or leaving base before the ball crosses the plate.
22	Foul on 3rd strike is an out.
23	Players can be freely substituted in and out of the game defensively
24	Mercy Rule: 10 batters maximum per inning. The 10th batter must advise the catcher before the 1st pitch to the 10th batter. Play is dead when a member of the fielding team who has control of the ball touches a base ahead of the runner closest to home. The 10 batter rule maximum applies even if a team has less than 10 players, in which case some players may bat twice per inning. An overthrow that is normally out of bounds will be considered still in play (to prevent opposing team from purposely throwing ball out of bounds.)
25	If 2 women are not present, the opposing team will designate 2 men who will bat opposite handed (if one woman is present only one man bats opposite.) If one of these players leaves the game the opposing team will make a new designation. A team with less than 2 women must notify the opposing team prior to their 1st batter hitting.
26	10 players in the field maximum. A team cannot play with less than 8 players (forfeit), but can finish with less. If a team has 8 players the opposing team is required to supply a catcher. The supplied catcher doesn’t cover home, but does make fair/foul calls. If a team has 9 or more players the team must supply its own catcher.
27	All team members (whether in the field or not) must bat in order. Once the persons place in the batting order has been established (by batting once), the order cannot be changed.
28	Designated runner: a designated runner will be allowed for anyone after they have reached base
29	Double First Base: to avoid collisions, we will employ a runner base and a fielder base.
30	Double Home Plate: again, to avoid collisions, we will employ a runner and a fielder base. The fielder must be in contact with the ‘real’ homeplate, and in control of the ball, prior to a runner touching the secondary home plate in order to record an out. If the double homeplate is used, then the ‘Home plate safety rule’ and the ‘Sluckis enhancement’ are not in effect.
31	As a safety issue, the use of bats that are not single walled, or by their use appear to act as something other than single walled bats is prohibited. Bats of this type include but are not limited to those named as ‘multi piece’, and ‘inner core’ or those containing the words ‘shell’ or ‘wall’, unless it’s ‘single wall’ or ‘single shell.’ The league will continually evaluate if various types of bats should be excluded from play. In general if a bat is over $100, or is a Demirini it’s probably illegal. This is an evolving rule, we will always run across exceptions. If a person is found to be using an illegal bat they will be called out. It doesn’t matter if you hit the ball, just that you were at bat with it. If the bat is determined to be illegal, after the ball is struck, the play will be called dead, and any runners will be returned to their original base. If you aren’t sure if a bat is legal, consult with the opposing captain before the game begins.
32	Sharing of Bats: all bats used at a game will be available to anyone that wishes to use them, on either team. If someone brings a personal bat to the game it should be placed near the bat bag with all the other bats.
33	Outfielder positions: One short fielder can play anywhere. The other three outfielders should be at least 120 feet from home plate. After the ball crosses the plate the outfielders may move anywhere. The 120 foot distance will be measured and marked off my orange spray paint. The cones should be placed on the orange mark (for distance.) The cones should be adjusted for fair/foul as needed. A second set of cones when available should be placed further in the outfield to aid in the calling of fair/foul balls.
34	Home Plate Safety Rule: If a runner has advanced more than 2/3’s, down the third base line, the catcher does not have to tag the runner, but only touch the plate, and the runner is out. Once a runner has crossed the line he/she cannot go back to 3rd base. The fielder tagging home plate must have control of the ball when the plate is tagged.
35	Sluckis enhancement to the "Home Plate Safety Rule": Fielder: To prevent injury(to either party) the fielder shouldn’t stand on homeplate. Stand in front of the plate (toward pitchers mound) if at all possible to give the runner a clear path to the plate. If you have the ball and don’t touch home plate (in order to avoid a collision) the runner will be out. Fielder must be within 2 feet (or so) of the plate to be considered ‘on’ home plate. When possible the circle will be designated by spray paint or another suitable outline. Runner: if the fielder happens to be blocking the plate, don’t run him/her over to tag the plate. You will be considered safe without having touched homeplate if the fielder doesn’t have the ball. Managers:since this is a gray area advise players that physical contact is a no-no. Since there will always be gray areas when applying the homeplate rule, err on the side of safety. The disposition of the runner can be determined, without injury, after the play is over. Don’t block the plate. Play Nice!!!! Get the idea!!!!!
36	Overthrow Rule: At the point when a thrown ball goes out of bounds, any runners (including the batter) are awarded the base they are running to and 1 extra base. For 10^th batter, runners will be awarded two bases, but the ball will still be in play (this avoids purposely throwing the ball out of bounds to prevent the batter, and runner on first base from scoring) Examples: runner heading toward 2nd, gets 2nd and 3rd. runner between 1st and 2nd, heading back to 1st, gets 1st and 2nd.
37	The catcher calls fair/foul balls. If the orange cones are available they will be placed in the field to aid in the calling of fair/foul balls.
38	Infield Fly Rule: If there are runners in force positions, with less than two outs, and a ball is popped up in the infield (in fair territory), that can be caught without undo effort, then the batter will be called out.