2007 B'NAI B'RITH SOFTBALL RULES
1.TEAM ROSTER SHEET, FEES AND DUES
COLLECTION: Captains will submit the completed league official roster sheet to
the league commissioner by email (dhs126@yahoo.com),
and a photocopy of each players drivers license (new players only) by 3/30/07. League fees due by
Teams that have not submitted the
proper paperwork by the dates requested by the league,
will not be eligible for play in the spring/summer season. There should be a
MINIMUM of 14 and a MAXIMUM of 20 players on a roster (see 1c). Basic league
fee is $450.00 per team.
A. B’NAI B’RITH DUES: PLEASE BE ADVISED
THAT NO PLAYER/PLAYERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY IN OUR LEAGUE IF THEIR B’NAI
B’RITH DUES ARE NOT PAID PRIOR TO SCHEDULED GAMES. IF A
PLAYER/PLAYERS PLAY IN A GAME BEFORE THE LEAGUE HAS RECEIVED THEIR B’NAI
B’RITH DUES, THEIR RESPECTIVE TEAMS WILL RECEIVE A LOSS (NO EXCEPTIONS).
Payment is considered complete ONLY when the
league commissioner has the money in hand. The check is in the mail WILL NOT be
acceptable any more. B’nai B’rith dues are $90.00 for full members and $55.00 for junior (under 35) and associate (18-21) members.
b. ROSTER
SHEET: The completed roster sheet will contain team name, player, name,
address, telephone number, e-mail address (if applicable), and uniform number. c. ADDING PLAYERS TO THE ROSTER: There will be a limit of no more than 20
players on your roster. No player may be added to a team
after
2. LEAGUE PLAYERS: All players must be full
members of B'nai B'rith, associate members, or junior members. Contributing members
are only eligible if they were in the league prior to June 1997.
3. UNIFORMS: It would be nice that all
teams wear uniforms, or a form of matching colored shirts. A player not in a
matching uniform could be questioned on whether or not that player is on the teams roster.
4. SCHEDULE: League play begins
5. WEATHER POSTPONEMENTS: In the event that field or weather conditions
cause postponement of play, those postponed dates will be added at the end of
the season or designated rain date. The
league commissioner will phone the captain as early as possible. If there is no phone call, GAMES ARE ON.
6. LEAGUE ALIGNMENT: There shall be 2 conferences.
The Koufax Conference and the Greenberg Conference. Each team will play
at least 2 games against teams in its own conference (if possible). There will
be no inter-conference games other than exhibition games. No player will be allowed to play in both conferences.
7. PLAYOFFS: the top 4 teams in Koufax Conference
and top 4 teams in Greenberg Conference will make the playoffs. In the event of
a tie, tiebreaker will be determined by head to head competition. Next will be
run differential. Playoff games will be played at fields designated by the
league. There WILL BE NO
postponements of playoff games; they will be handled like a regular season game
in which the team postponing will receive a forfeit/loss.
8. PLAYOFF SEEDING: Seeding will be
determined by record. In the event of tied records, head to head record between
the tied teams will be the tie-breaker. If the teams are tied head to head,
common opponents will determine breaker. Should the teams be tied in common
opponents, a coin flip will determine higher seeding. Higher
Seeds will get earlier games.
9. TIME LIMIT:
Each game will be 7 innings, with a 2-hour limit. A game is official if five full innings are
played. No new inning of a game
scheduled for
10. FORFEIT: Each team will post a $100 bond
prior to the beginning of the season. Upon the 2nd forfeit,
the team will be suspended from league play for the season. All scheduled games
will be awarded as a win to the opponent. Any
forfeits of a double header will be considered two losses and one forfeit. Two
forfeits and your team will be out of the league for the remainder of the
current season. If your team is unable to play, you must notify the
commissioner by
11. CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULING: Cancellation of a game is due to unforeseen
circumstances such as funerals or other emergencies. Rescheduling will only be
an OPTION based on availability of the teams in question, umpires, fields and
remainder of schedule, based on the commissioners’ approval. If a game cannot
be replayed both teams will receive DNP (did not play) and their records will
show one less game.
12. FIELD ROSTER/BATTING ORDER/SUBSTITUTIONS: Each
team may field up to 10 players. All players playing a field position must bat. At the players discretion, all healthy players attending a
game must take at least one turn at bat, and play one inning in the field. The failure to adhere to this rule will
result in a forfeit by the offending team.
It will not be considered complying with this rule for a player to be
"penciled in" if the player does not actually bat and
field. The sole exception to this rule
will be the designated hitter (see Rule #14 below).
Teams have the option of placing only those
players in the field in the batting order, or of allowing additional roster
players present to bat. If a player is replaced
in the batting order, he can return to the game once, replacing the substitute.
The substitute is officially out of the game Players may change positions in
the field at any time with no change to the batting
order. This includes extra hitters in the batting order. The starting pitcher may return to pitch after being replaced
only if he remain in the game at a fielding position
or when that team is batting everyone. The starting pitcher may only return
ONCE. If the starting pitcher is replaced by a bench player, and removed
from the batting order, HE MAY NOT RETURN TO PITCH.
When more than 10
roster players bat, however, free substitution in the field is permitted. Once a player has been removed from the
batting order, he cannot be re-inserted.
A substitute must play at least one full inning.
14. DESIGNATED/EXTRA HITTER: Teams may have one
player named as a designated hitter to play the full game only as a hitter and
not to take the field.
15. EIGHT PLAYERS: If a team shows up with
eight players, they must play eight players in the field distributed as they
see fit, and bat eight players. The team with 8 players MUST PROVIDE A PITCHER AND CATCHER. A ninth or
tenth roster player may be added at any time. Once 10 players are playing and
all have batted, new players can only be subs. No non-roster player will be
eligible to participate as an additional player. No player may be added after
the start of the 5th inning.
16.
INSUFFICIENT PLAYERS: Should a team be unable to continue a game in progress
due to having insufficient players(less than 8) as a result of injuries, or
players leaving early, a loss will be declared.
In the event of an injury, there will not be an
automatic out in the line up. If a player leave the playing area and is not
replaced, and out will be declared. An automatic out in the line up shall not
result in a final out of the game. ANOTHER WORDS, THE
GAME CAN NOT END ON AN AUTOMATIC OUT
17. COURTESY RUNNERS: Each team shall
be allowed courtesy runners in each game if they choose to use them. The team captain shall advise the opposing
captain and the umpire of the player for whom the courtesy runner shall run before the start of the game. A courtesy runner for any other player may
only be used with the agreement of the opposing manager. If a team chooses not to use a courtesy
runner, they may not use one after the game begins (unless injury prevents
batter from running). The courtesy
runner will always be last out, not necessarily the last batted out, or an out
from the previous inning. To have a courtesy runner, a batter must reach first
base on his own. In addition, once a player gets a courtesy runner it is for
the entire game.
18. POSTPONEMENTS: Except for emergencies or
weather, postponements are not permitted.
Teams aware in advance of special needs on specific dates may request
preferential scheduling if submitted by
20. MERCY RULE: A twenty run mercy
rule applies to regular league games, and will be in effect following the fifth
at-bat of the trailing team. This rule
applies to both divisions. There will
be NO mercy rule for playoff games.
21. EQUIPMENT: Only softball bats may be used; no
hardball bats. Double wall, triple wall, titanium, and ceramic are not
permitted, AS WELL AS ANY BATS NOT ISA APPROVED. BLUE DIAMOND softballs only will be used
and will be provided by the league. No substitution of liquid center or other
type of softball is permitted. Any team caught with an illegal bat will have
that information made available to ALL teams in their respective conference via
email. This will be considered a warning, if the same team is caught again with
an illegal bat they will receive a LOSS against the team they are playing
(second incident) as well as LOSSES to any subsequent teams where the illegal
bat is used. If there is an issue with a bat being legal at the field and we do
not have the information until after the game by checking a website the following
will apply. If bat is questioned prior to batter hitting, bat will be taken out
of game until we know whether it is legal or illegal. If batter got a hit with
bat and then a protest or question arises, the hit will stay and bat will be
taken out of game until we know whether it is legal or illegal. If the game is
protested the rules governing protests will apply. We will provide you with as
much information regarding legal bats as possible. All bats must have an
approval stamp. Any bat without an approval stamp due to age, or wear can be
considered an illegal bat at the discretion of the umpire.
23. PITCHING: Is modified fast pitch. NO
WINDMILL OR SLINGSHOT. Hips and shoulders must be square to home plate. In the
act of delivering the ball, the pitcher shall not take more them one step,
which must be forward, toward the batter, and simultaneous with the delivery of
the ball toward home plate. Release can be no more than 6 inches from the body.
Elbow must be locked and straight. Pitcher must start delivery with at least
one foot on the rubber and not remove his foot from the rubber during delivery.
A pitcher is allowed to step back before delivering the pitch ONLY if he pauses
before coming forward with the pitch (a rocking motion is considered illegal).
(Non-pivot foot must be either on or directly behind rubber) ISA modified rules
will apply. If an illegal pitch is called, a ball will be issued to the batter
and a warning will be given to the pitcher. A third illegal pitch will result
in the ejection of the pitcher from the pitching position for the remainder of
the game. THESE PITCHING RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!
24. INTENTIONAL WALKS: A pitcher need not
pitch an intentional walk; catcher may notify umpire.
25. BATTING OUT OF ORDER: Anyone batting out
of order will be automatically out.
26. STEALING: There is no stealing.
27. HIT BY PITCH: A batter will only be allowed first base when
hit by a pitch, if he can not avoid getting hit. The umpire will judge this.
27A. WILD PITCH: All
runners will advance one base when the pitcher pitches the ball over the
backstop. Any ball rolling behind the catcher and through an opening in the
backstop should NOT be ruled a wild pitch. Therefore NO runners will advance.
28. BUNTING: Both Leagues - 3 bunts per game
per team. A batter must either square to bunt and bunt, or pull back. NO FAKE BUNTING
AND SWINGING AWAY. The result is an out called on the batter. If a bunt try is attempted by a team that has used their three bunts, the batter is called
out. Strike three bunt foul is considered an out. Any
bunt with less than two strikes that goes over the batters head and is caught
by the catcher is an out. Any bunt attempt with
less than two strikes that does not go over the batters head and is caught by
the catcher will be a strike NOT an out. The umpire will be the judge of
whether the ball was over the batters head and his ruling will stand.
29. LEADING: A player may leave the base
when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
The catcher may throw to any occupied base, and if the runner is tagged
before returning to the base, or the fielder touches the base first, the runner
is out. Whether the runner left the base
early or not is up to the sole discretion of the umpire. If the catcher throws to a base, the ball is
in play; runners must "tag up" before advancing at their own risk. Whether the
runner left the base early or not is up to the sole discretion of the umpire upon appeal from the opposing team
30. TAGGING UP: After a fly out, players may
advance at their own risk after tagging up.
The umpire shall decide if a player left before or after a catch. This
is based on when the ball TOUCHES the fielders’ glove not when they catch it.
31. DECOYING: No decoying the runner. No false tags. The only base, which may be blocked, is home
when the play is at the plate, subject to the rules below regarding contested
bases.
32. GROUND RULES: Will be decided by the umpire(s)
and team captains at the beginning of the game.
32. TWIN FIRST BASE: A special twin base
will be used for first base ISA rules apply. Defending players who obstruct the
foul side of first base will be considered in violation of rules 37& 38.The
runner must touch the orange portion of the bag. The fielder must touch the
white portion of the bag on a contested play. In a non-contested play, the
runner may touch any part of the bag.
34. FIGHTING: No unnecessary roughness. Players involved in a fight will be ejected
from the game and suspended, subject to commissioners' ruling. Any player who strikes or intentionally
injures another player may be suspended for the season or permanently banned
from the league. The commissioners may
subject any player who has been ejected from a game to a suspension. Repeat offenders may be suspended
indefinitely. Repetitions need not be
within a single season for a suspension to be made. Suspensions will be automatic where assaults
or threats are made.
35. APPEALS OF PROTESTS: Any appeals of
protests or complaints must be done through e-mail to the commissioner. The commissioners
e-mail is dhs126@yahoo.com.You will be
sent a response within 48 hours. If an e-mail is not sent, your complaint will
not be recognized. Appeals or protests must be filed with the commissioner no
later than 48 hours after the game. Any
dispute involving league rules shall be submitted to the commissioners for a
decision on interpretation or application. The decision of the commissioners
shall be final without recourse to any outside body or agency. Any violation of
this rule by any team or member shall result in the immediate suspension of the
offending team or member for the remainder of the current season. Protests must
be made at the time of incident and before the next pitch to same or new batter, otherwise protest will not be recognized.
36. TREATMENT OF UMPIRE(S): No striking,
bumping, threatening, or harassing umpires.
An umpire may eject a player from a game. Any player ejected will be suspended for the
following game. The league office will determine further suspension. Any striking, bumping, or
threatening of an umpire will be cause for suspension of the involved player by
the league office for the remainder of the season. Harassment of an umpire will be cause for a
multi-game suspension by the league office.
37. SLIDING & CONTESTED BASES: A runner at any contested base must slide,
give himself up, or otherwise avoid contact.
No blocking by runner or fielder permitted. The umpire has the sole authority to decide
when a base is "contested." No
fielder, including the catcher, may block a base unless he has the ball in his
possession. Any defending player may
cover home plate. Blocking a base while
awaiting a throw and obstructing an approaching runner will result in the
umpire declaring that runner safe.
38. CONTACT: the umpire will eject runners who
initiate contact, such as bowling over a defending player who has the ball,
throwing body blocks, or engaging in other similar conduct. Defending players who initiate contact in a
like manner will also be ejected.
Defending players may not obstruct the baseline unless they have the
ball. First basemen may not move to the
foul side of the base except to field the ball.
Umpires will award any runner thus obstructed his destination base, and
may eject the offending fielder at his discretion.
39. SPECTATORS: Spectators are prohibited
from approaching the playing field closer than the team bench. Teams are responsible for the conduct of
their spectators, and rules of sportsmanship and safety will be enforced. Only
roster players may coach the bases and/or team and be on the playing field.
40. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Unsportsmanlike
conduct, such as cursing, bating opponents, threatening opposing players,
throwing any object, or engaging in conduct that could endanger others, will be
warned by the umpire. Not adhering to the umpire warning will cause ejection
from a game and possible suspension.
Umpires have the option of removing offending players or spectators
from earshot of the playing field, and enforcing compliance by suspending play
and/or declaring the game forfeited by the offending team. "In your face" arguing is likewise
prohibited.
41. SUBMITTING GAME SCORES: Scores must be submitted by the winning
team no later than
42. COMMISSIONER DUTIES: Postponed or
suspended games will be communicated to the commissioner in charge of
scheduling; umpire complaints will be addressed to the commissioner in charge
of umpires; disputes will be addressed to the commissioner for rules. Commissioners are not permitted to overrule
an umpire on any decision involving balls and strikes, outcome of plays,
runners ruled safe or out, etc. Only
infringements of rules may be protested to the commissioners.
43. PLAYER RAIDING: to assure the orderly
evolution of the league, no "raiding" of other teams for players will
be permitted. While no player is
obligated to remain with a team where he feels unhappy, no team may recruit or
accept more than two players from within the league. The only exception to this rule involves the
amicable subdivision of a team into two other teams. Teams are free, of course, to recruit freely
and accept any eligible player from outside the league, subject to the above
rules. Teams that violate this rule and
attempt to recruit "good" players from other teams, or separate
superior players from the lesser players within an existing team, will be
penalized with one loss for each player they have recruited and the losses will
be deducted from their wins at season's end.
44. "TREE RULE": All trees or parts of a
tree that are in fair territory on any field will be considered a wall if the
softball hits it. That means if the ball is caught after hitting the tree it is
not an out, the batter is safe and will proceed around bases at his own risk.
45. RULES: Any rules not stated above will be
based on ISA Modified-Pitch rules, to be found in the ISA Modified pitch
rulebook.
46. OVERTHROWS: See attached sheets
47. PERMITS: Captains are responsible to bring
their field permits to every game, if the captain is not available a designated
player or co-captain must bring permit.
48. REPLAYED GAME: When a game is replayed,
players who were not playing during the original game can only be used as
substitutes for players who were part of the original game. The exception is if
a team does not have enough players from the original game to field a team,
then new players can play without substitution.
49.
50.
51. PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY FOR PLAYERS: A roster
player MUST play at least ‘4’ games during the season to be eligible to play in
the playoffs. All teams will be required to keep a lineup book for each game
during the season; this book is reviewable by the league.
52. UMPIRE NOT AVAILABLE: If an umpire does show
up to your game within 15 minutes after start time you must assign 1 player
from each team (teams that are scheduled to play not players from other teams)
to ump the game.
ALL CAPTAINS MUST BRING TO EACH GAME, A COPY OF THE
ABOVE RULES, A COPY OF ALL TEAM ROSTERS, AND THE ISA RULE BOOK.
IT IS THE TEAM CAPTAINS RESPONSIBILITY TO
KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THESE RULES, AND MAKE HIS TEAMMATES AWARE OF THEM.
GOOD LUCK… HAVE A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL SEASON!