Rules & Guidelines
IV. Player Eligibility and Requirements
V. Team Eligibility and Requirements
VIII. Playing of Games and Conditions
The Sunday Morning Softball League (League) is an independent recreational men’s softball league operating in the towns of Easton and Raynham, Massachusetts, with the permission and support of each town's Recreation Departments. It is organized to provide recreational softball activities and competition for men 30+ years old. The League will promote and maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship among all players and officials. Rules and regulations may be reviewed each year. Basic rule changes can be instituted by a majority vote of the Board. The League will follow Amateur Softball Association (ASA) rules and guidelines.
A. The League is governed by the Advisory Board (Board) to be comprised of the following positions: Michael Graff as League founder and coordinator (Organizer) and 1 representative from each team, presumably the Team Captain or his designee. At the discretion of Michael Graff, league meetings may be open to participation by any registered player and will be considered part of the Advisory Board for that meeting only.
B. The Board will provide leadership and direction to the league and to act as the guiding influence for its long term development.
C. To convene League meetings when appropriate and necessary. The League Coordinator must convene a meeting within seven (7) days upon the request of the majority of the Board members.
D. To periodically review and amend, as needed, League rules and procedures for the purpose maintaining the quality and safety of play and satisfaction of players.
A. Organizer – To oversee the week to week functions of the League, schedule and run Board meetings, appoint Board members to assist with player recruiting, roster development, website management, rules and procedures review, and any other task as deemed important. May not also be a Captain. The League Coordinator from the previous year will schedule the 1st meeting of the new season on or before March 15th.
B. Captain – To oversee the week to week functions of their designated team, including communication with team players of League related information, setting lineups and fielding positions for games, and insuring at least minimum attendance at games.
C. All votes of Board are majority of members present at meeting.
A. The minimum age for all players is thirty (30) years of age as of the date of the first scheduled game.
B. Each player is expected to pay League Dues prior to the first regular season game. The dues must be paid prior to the start of the fourth game to be eligible to play. The amount of the Dues will be established prior to the season each year.
C. Each player certifies that they are physically capable to the best of their knowledge to participate in the sport of softball.
D. Each player understands they must attend a minimum of 66% of scheduled games. If unable to attend this number of games they understand they are subject to being replaced on the team roster. If a player cannot attend a scheduled game they will make every effort to notify their Captain at least by Thursday preceding the Sunday game.
E. Any player that is injured or expects to miss 3 or more consecutive games may apply for reserve status to maintain their roster spot. This will be at the discretion of League Coordinator and their Captain.
F. Safety policies include:
G. Players will conduct themselves at all times with the utmost respect for their teammates, opponents, umpires, equipment, the field, and the rules of play. Players failing at this at the discretion umpire, their Captain, or League officials may be ejected from a game, suspended for multiple games, or expelled from the League without refund of Dues.
A. A team will comprise from 12 –15 regular players. In order for a team to enter the league all players must be registered.
B. A team must submit a team roster of registered players prior to the beginning of the regular season. This roster shall be posted on our league website.
C. A team must submit a Final Roster prior to the team’s 13th game in the schedule. A player must be registered and on the Final Roster to be eligible to participate in the playoffs. A team may add a player to the Final Roster given permission from the League Organizer.
D. If a regular player is unable to finish the season, for any reason, the team may continue without that player or may elect to replace that player. If a team elects to replace player, the new player must pay prorated Dues. Team may also add players during the course of the season, not to exceed 15 players per team. Any new player joining team will pay prorated Dues based on the following schedule: 100% of Dues if added during games 1-3; 75% if added during games 4-7; 50% if added anytime after game 7.
E. A team must have at least 8 roster players present at the scheduled start of the game, with the 10 minute grace period at their disposal. If a team does not have 8 roster players at the end of the grace period, the team forfeits and the game will be reflected as a loss in the standings. If neither team is ready to play the game will be cancelled.
F. A team with less than 10 roster players but at least 8 may add non-roster players to bring the number of players for that game to no more than 10. If a roster player shows up to play after the start of the game, that roster player may substitute into the lineup in the spot of one of the non-roster players. That non-roster player is then out of that game unless permission is granted from the opposing Captain to allow the non roster player to continue playing. If permission is granted, the non roster player will continue in the same spot in the lineup and the roster player placed at the end of the lineup.
G. A non-roster player may play up to 2 consecutive games or 3 non-consecutive games without paying Dues, but will be considered a regular player, subject to all requirements of regular players, if games played exceed these numbers. All non-roster substitute players must be at least 30 years old as of the date of the game.
H. Each player present for a game will bat in order based on the line up established by the team captain; there will be no substitutions in the batting lineup. Players arriving after the first pitch of the game will bat at the end of the lineup. If a player leaves a game for any reason their space in the batting order will be skipped and no outs recorded. No player may be substituted into that space in the order. Each team may have 1 designated hitter per game, but this must be the same person for the entire game.
I. Standard defensive play will include 10 fielding positions. Captains have the discretion to set players in fielding positions best suited to afford their respective teams the best opportunity to be competitive and to win. However, it is the policy of the League that all players be treated fairly and respectfully and be given the opportunity to play at least 3-4 innings minimum in the field per game attended.
J. A player may transfer from one team to another only with permission of both Captains and the League Coordinator. No transfers will be considered after the 6th game of the year.
A. Players are expected to wear team jersey during play of game. Additional jerseys may be purchased at the expense of the player.
B. Balls for play in games will be provided by the League. Only balls approved by the Board may be used for official games.
C. Any bat used must be a designated softball bat not banned for use by the ASA. A list of banned bats will be maintained on the League website.
A. A schedule of practices and games will be determined prior to the start of the season by the League Organizer. The schedule will be posted on the League website.
B. Cancellation of games due to inclement weather or field conditions will be made up at the discretion of the League Organizer and will have final authority regarding game cancellations.
C. Games will be played Sunday mornings according to the League Schedule. Game times will be 8:30 am and 10:30 am.
A. Games will be 9 innings. Games tied at the end of the 9th inning will be declared a tie.
B. The arc of the pitch will be between six (6) and twelve (I 2) feet from the ground. (umpire’s discretion)
C. The distance between each base is sixty-five (65) feet.
D. The second foul ball after the second strike results in the batter being called out.
E. The captain of the winning team is to notify the League Organizer of the game results within 24 hours after the game is played.
F. No fielding or batting practice will be allowed on the infield prior to a game. Once a team takes the field infield warm up is allowed. All pre-game warm up and practice drills are confined to foul territory and the outfield.
G. The home team is responsible for any last minute needs, regarding the preparation of the field to play and opening the building. The home team for the last game of the day must rake the field, put away the bases, secure all equipment, lock the building, and police the grounds of trash.
H. Any starting player can be withdrawn and re-entered once, provided that the player occupies the same position in the batting order. A designated hitter position must remain a designated hitter position.
I. Courtesy runners may be used only with the opposing manager's permission and shall be the player who made the last batted out. The courtesy runner shall be placed at first base.
J. A game will be called when a team is ahead by twenty (20) or more runs in their half of the fifth inning. A losing team will still get to bat in the bottom half of the fifth inning. This rule does not apply during the playoffs.
K. There is absolutely no arguing of
calls with the Umpire. As soon as the Umpire makes a call all players will
resume their positions either offensively or defensively so the game may
continue. If any player feels that the Umpire has made a call in error they may
request a time out from the Umpire for the purpose of discussing the call.
It If the time out is granted by the Umpire, the player may state their
opinion to the Umpire using a civil tone. The Umpire will then make a final
ruling on the call which will stand without further discussion or delay of
game. Any deviation from this rule may subject the player or players to being
ejected from that game, at the discretion of the Umpire.
L. Players who are ejected from a game by the umpire due to misconduct will not be replaced in the lineup and their spot will be crossed out. An out will recorded on their next turn up to bat but not on any additional vacant spots in the lineup during the remainder of that game. Any player ejected from a game must leave the playing area, as defined by the umpire, immediately.
M. Players must take full swings when batting; there is no bunting or swinging bunts allowed.
A. The Team Captain or his designee will meet with the umpire at home plate for ground rules before each game.
B. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any time during games.
C. There will be no using of foul language, throwing or tossing of equipment or other item, nor other display of anger due to a play or other incident in the game. Such display will subject the player or players to being ejected from that game, at the discretion of the Umpire or League Organizer.
C. Any member of the league, who acts in a manner to discredit the league will be suspended from further play, until the Board holds a hearing to determine the appropriate action to be taken.
A. As stated in the bylaws of the league, the primary goal is to promote the highest standards of sportsmanship among players and officials. Accordingly, in the event of problems, the Board will act as a disciplinary committee.
C. Any intent to injure another player will result in an immediate ejection from the game and further disciplinary action from the Board.
D. Any player who physically assaults, including bumping, an umpire will be immediately ejected from the game and be subject to further disciplinary action from the Board.
A. Protests do not apply to umpire judgment. They may only be considered in cases involving rule interpretation.
B. Any team wishing to protest an umpire's ruling must notify the Umpire immediately. The Umpire will then notify the opposing manger of the protest.
C. It is the responsibility of the protesting team representative to prepare a written statement, indicating the playing rule(s) which are inaccurately interpreted, and submit it to the League Organizer within twenty-four (24) hours.
D. A protested game, which results in the protest being upheld, will be played from the point of the protest. If it cannot be continued the results of the game will be removed from the standings.
