2014 League Specific Rules

Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association
SECTION I. PROGRAM INFORMATION

1. Objectives and Purpose

Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association is designed to provide a recreational activity for residents of Lake Havasu City. The association strives to promote physical fitness, develop sportsmanship, and to provide a constructive outlet through recreational activities.

2. Registration, Playing Dates and Times
A. League offered: Men’s 12” and co-ed 12” softball league.
B. All teams must fill out a roster and make payment in full to be considered registered.
C. Schedule of Games: Game schedule will be provided to each team captain.
D. Games will be played at the Sara Park softball fields.
E. All games will be scheduled an hour apart. No new innings will begin after 55 minutes.
F. League Tournaments will not have a time limit. Games will play the entire 7 innings.


3. Program Cost
A. MENS LEAGUE = $350 TEAM FEE for (20) scheduled games.
B. COED LEAGUE = $175 TEAM FEE for (10) scheduled games.
C. No team sponsorship refunds will be issued.
D. $22 per player fee will also be assessed.
E. All fees cover:

• Gameballs
• Lights
• 1 Umpire
• Field Prep

* Uniforms and equipment are the responsibility of each team.
4. Rules and Regulations Policy Statement

The Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association reserves the rights to change add or delete any rules or regulations when it benefits the program.

5. Equal Opportunity

Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-ed Softball Association does not discriminate against race, age, disability, or national origin in its athletic programs.

6. Standings

A. Each division will have its own single elimination tourney for the top 4 teams in each division.
B. When the league is combined during any season due to a lack of teams, there will only be one (4 team) single
elimination tourney comprising of both A and B league teams.
C. If two teams have identical records and are one of the top 4 teams in either their own division or in the case of
a combined division season, the following will be the tie breaker rule:
1. Head to Head record
2. Total runs scored between the tied teams in head to head games only.
3. Home team for playoffs will be team with best record during season.
4. Home team for Championship games will be determined by coin flip.
7. Policy Statement on Officials
A. Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-ed Softball Association provide officials.
B. Judgement calls are final. No protests concerning judgement calls will be accepted.



8. Score Keeping

The official scorekeeper of each game will be the home team. In the event that there is a discrepancy and the home team is not keeping a scorebook, but the visitor team is, then the visitor scorebook will become the official book. If neither home or visitor team is keeping a scorebook, then all discrepancies will be the decision of the umpire.
Umpire will mediate any discrepancies in score. Both teams must fill out their lineup card prior to the game starting and also sign their lineup card at the end of the game with the finalized score included. The umpire for each game will sign the home team’s lineup card and turn into the league president at the official end of the game score. An unsigned lineup card within 5 minutes of games end will be deemed as an acceptance of the games score without any written protest.


9. Care of Ballfields

Please instruct all players and spectators to help maintain the facility and to place all litter in trash receptacles. Misuse of ballfields or park facilities will not be tolerated. Violators will be prohibited from using the facility and suspended from league program.
* It is each team’s manager’s responsibility to ensure their dugout is cleaned after your game is finished.



10. Policy Statement on Eligibility, Roster, Game Players, and Forfeits
A. Players must be (18) years or older to participate in the softball league. A team that participates with an underage player will forfeit the game(s) in which that player plays.
B. Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-ed Softball Association and/or a team manager can question the eligibility of any player any time before, or during a game.
C. Teams must have a minimum of nine (9) players to begin a game. No team may start with less than nine (9) or finish with less than nine (9) or it will be considered a forfeit. A maximum of ten (10) players is allowed on the field defensively. Teams may bat as many players as are on the roster; however they may not change the order in which they bat.
D. In the event a team only has 8 players at the start of the game, that team may pick up only one player to field a team of 9. If a player from the team shows up after the start of the game, that player would take the place of the added player and the added player would discontinue playing the game. (It is up to the manager’s discretion if they would elect to void this rule and allow the team with 8 players to pick up 2 giving them 10 total players.)
E. A minimum (10) player roster must be turned into an association member prior to the first game of the season. A player may be added who is not participating on any another team in the same league. Additions/deletions to the roster may be done at any time during the season and submitted to player rep with funds.
F. $22 player fee no matter what. NO PAY… NO PLAY!!!! FEE IS NONREFUNDABLE!!!!
G. If someone is thrown out for UNSPORTSMAN LIKE CONDUCT then an out will be taken in that spot unless there is a sub. If someone gets sick, injured or just has to leave we would squeeze the line up.
H. A player cannot play on two teams in the same league. However, a player may play in the co-ed league and also in the men’s league at the same time. Players will not be allowed to play in multiple divisions of the same league. i.e. (Play on both an A and a B league men’s team. However can coach A and play B.)
I. All additions/deletions to the roster must be done prior to the start of the game in which the player participates. ALL PLAYERS MUST PAY PRIOR TO PLAYING ANY GAME.
J. A player can move from one team to another only if it is done prior to the 3rd game and only if the team captain releases him from their roster.
K. There will be 10 min waiting period for late players (First game only.). Official’s and/or field supervisor’s time is the official time. (Please show up early for the game.) (
L. The count will begin with a one ball one-strike count.
M. Courtesy Runner can be used anytime.
1. This runner would be the player who committed the last recorded out. Exceptions to this rule would be if the last out was another injured player.


2. If both managers agree the option of unlimited runners may be used, but if no agreement is made then only one runner per inning may be used.

12. Protests
A. Protests will NOT be considered/received if they are on a decision involving the accuracy of judgment on the part of the official.
B. A protest on player eligibility can be made until the end of the game. The moment the game is finished, no player eligibility protests may be declared by the offended team.
C. If a game is protested on player eligibility and the player’s name is not on the team roster or the player is underage, the game will be forfeited. If a game is protested on player eligibility and the player’s name is found on two (2) team rosters, the game will be forfeited. The protested player will then be required to play for the team that they had first signed a team roster intending to play for that team. The protested player’s name will automatically be deleted from the other team’s roster.
D. All protests must be submitted in writing to the umpire prior to the completion of the last game that night, who will notify the player rep and a board decision will be made.
E. All players are required to have I.D. with them at game time.



13. Protest Procedures
A. Make notification to protest immediately to the umpire.
B. Submit official written protest prior to completion of the night’s last game.
* Forms will be available upon request from the umpire.

C. Written statements may be collected from the official, board members, or coaches present when necessary.
D. Notification will be made concerning the outcome of protest to both teams within 48 hours of receiving
protest form.
(1) If a protest is made on a misinterpretation of a rule, and is upheld, but the

ruling, at the point of infraction had no direct effect on the final outcome,
the game will not be replayed. The protest will be dismissed.
(2) If a protest is made on a misinterpretation of a rule, and is upheld, and at

the point of infraction it had a direct effect on the final outcome, the game
will be replayed from the point where the incorrect ruling was made.


14. Uniforms
The Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association does not require uniforms but strongly encourages their use.
* NO METAL CLEATS WILL BE ALLOWED AT ANY TIME!!!!

15. Safety of Children
Parents/guardians are responsible for the safety and behavior of their children at the game site/facility.
16. Alcohol at the Park
A. There will be no alcohol in the dugout or field of play or stands. Any player leaving the confines of the playing field for the purpose of consuming alcohol will be ejected. No alcohol is allowed in Rotary Community Park or SARA Park at any time, unless it is permitted through Parks and Rec.


17. Dogs
A. Sara Park has a no dogs allowed policy with signs posted in numerous areas around the park. The Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association ask that you please follow these rules set forth by the city and leave your dog(s) at home. Anyone bringing a dog to the field will be asked to remove their dog by anyone associated with the Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association.








18. Inclement Weather

In case of inclement weather, The League President or his designee will call all coaches effected inform you if the games are on or off due to it being a safety hazard. If a game is cancelled, we will make every attempt to reschedule if time and the current schedule permit.

SECTION II. LOCAL SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL RULES

1. Game Limit

Game Time will begin when the official declares “Play ball.” Due to each game having a time limit, no inning will begin after 55 minutes at the necessity of the following game(s) needing to be started on time, unless the score is tied. Games played four (4) or more innings and called due to inclement weather or other unforeseen cancellations shall be considered a regulation game. There is NO (RUN RULE)!

2. Tie Games

At the end of seven (7) innings or time limit (55 min.) a tiebreaker rule will be used to break the tie. All games will be played out until the tie is broken per international tie-breaking rule.

A. Tie Breaker Rule: At the end of seven (7) innings or time limit, whichever comes first, the visiting team puts the last completed batter during the previous inning on second base to start the inning. The home team then gets the same opportunity when they come up to bat. All other rules and situations will remain the same throughout the inning. The game will continue in this format until there is a declared winner.


3. Game Balls

Game ball will be provided by the League. If feasible, every attempt will be made to provide (1) new game ball for each game.

4. Bats

A. All bats must be approved/labeled by ASA.
B. Any ASA labeled bats may only be used if it is not listed on the unapproved ASA bat list provided by ASA and displayed on the league’s web site.
C. All bats inside the dugout are assumed to be game bats and are subject to inspection by the umpire
or the league’s bat inspector. Any team found to have used or planned to use an illegal bat will be subject to the following
penalty.
D. All bats, gloves, or any part of team uniform etc. Must be in the dugout at all times, the exception being the batter and on deck batter. 1 Warning will be issued by umpire, the next infraction will constitute as an out for the 1st batter the next inning.


5. Pitcher Safety
• To aide with pitcher safety a pitch may be released from within 3’-0” behind the rubber.


6. Pitch Height

There will be a 6’-0” minimum pitch height and the max height will be set at 12’-0”. 6’-0” minimum pitch height and the max height will be set at 10’-0” for girls.

7. Bat Throwing

The intentional throwing of a bat is an automatic ejection from the game or a warning may be issue at the discretion of the umpire. The unintentional throwing of a bat will serve as a warning and any additional throwing of a bat by any player, on either team, will result in an ejection. This will be enforced as a safety factor under the discretion of the umpire.



8. No Bunting/Chopping Hits

No bunting or chopped hits are allowed. Penalty: Batter is out and no runners may advance.

9. Sliding

Sliding is allowed at any base, sliding is not mandatory. A base runner must either slide or make an attempt to avoid a collision with the fielder when:
• The fielder has possession of the ball and is attempting to place a tag
on the base runner.
• The fielder is in place to field an immediate incoming ball in order to
place a tag on the runner.
• The fielder inadvertently obstructs a base runner without possession
of the ball.

Neither fielder nor base runner will be allowed to use force in performing their duties of tagging or base running. Penalty: Runner or fielder may be ejected from the game if judged flagrant.
* Runners must utilize the foul territory first base bag upon an infield hit to avoid player injuries.

10. Fighting

Players who engage in fighting will be automatically ejected from the game. Further penalty may be carried out against the player(s)/ team(s) if the situation warrants.

11. Deking,

Is defined as (to deceive an opponent by a fake).
Deking tags are not allowed and will result in either a warning by the official or an ejection from the game.

12. Miscellaneous

Jewelry is prohibited.
A first baseman’s mitt or glove is allowed at any position on the field.

13. Elasticity


Judgement will be made upon any rule or procedure not stated herein by the Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association as necessary, to provide for the recreational enjoyment of players, coaches, managers, spectators, and officials.

14. Home Run Rule


Men’s- Each team will get a maximum of 4 home runs to use anytime during the game. Any homeruns hit after the allotted 4 will result as an automatic dead ball out.

Coed Players are allowed 1 HR until both teams reach limit. Then a 2nd HR will be allowed for both teams. Any homeruns hit after the allotted 2 will result in an automatic dead ball out.

* It is the responsibility of each team which hits a homerun to retrieve the ball prior to the start of the
next inning.





SECTION III. CODE OF CONDUCT

MINIMUM PENALTY: Warning by official, and/or Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association. Possible ejection from the contest, probationary status and/or multiple game suspension as determined by the Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association.

MAXIMUM PENALTY: Penalty shall be removal from further league play or possible extended suspension, as determined by the Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association.
1. No player shall, at any time, lay a hand upon, strike, or threaten a Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association Board member, official, player, or spectator.
2. No player shall refuse to abide by the Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association or official’s decision.
3. No player shall use obscene gestures and/or abusive verbal attack upon any player, official, spectator, or Score Keeper.
4. No player shall use unnecessary rough tactics in the play of the game against another player’s body.
5. No player shall intimidate an opposing player by any actions deemed inappropriate.
6. No player shall appear on the field under the influence of alcohol or drugs in such a manner as to not have control of his/her faculties to the extent that he/she is inclined to hurt himself/herself or another player, spectator, official, or Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association Board member.
7. Team manager or coach shall be the only team representative who may discuss a rule with the official or an on-site field supervisor. Judgement decisions will not be discussed.
8. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Includes actions of deceit, disrespect, or vulgarity. Unsportsmanlike conduct by a player, coach, manager, or spectator includes, but is not limited to, the following:
A. Use of inappropriate acts or words.
B. Derogatory remarks to officials, opponents, team members, spectators, or Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association Board members.
C. Excessive questioning or attempts to influence an official’s or Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association Board member’s decision.
D. Showing disgust with an official’s or Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association Board member’s decision.
E. Using insulting language or gestures or baiting acts which produce ill will.


SECTION IV. ENFORCEMENTS

1. If an official feels a minimum penalty is not sufficient, a report must be written up by the official and submitted to the President of the Board.


2. Suspended Player:
A. A suspended player from the game must remove himself/herself immediately from the park as designated by the official and/or scorekeeper.
B. If a suspended player does not remove himself/herself from the confines of the park, his/her team members or coaches/managers are responsible for his/her removal or law enforcement may be called.


3. The official may suspend a player from further game play only. The Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association shall be responsible for suspending player(s) from further league play, if necessary.


4. Elasticity. Any needed enforcement procedures or disciplinary actions towards a player, coach, manager, or spectator which are not stated herein may be provided by the Lake Havasu Men’s & Co-Ed Softball Association, to provide for the recreational enjoyment of the game for all involved.


5. Illegal Bat Penalty

a. First offense = player who brought the bat is ejected for the game and an automatic out for the batter
or an automatic out for the team to start the game if the bat is found prior to game starting.
b. Second offense = at any time during the season, if a team is found to have used or intended to use an illegal
bat, that team will be required to forfeit the game in which the second offense occurs.
c. Third offense = at any time during the season, if a team is found to have used or intended to use an illegal
bat for a third time, that team will be required to forfeit the rest of their season.



Section V. (Co-Ed Play)

* All Men’s league rules apply to Co-ed in addition to the following:

1. Sliding is permitted at anytime by any player.
2. Blocking of any base is not permitted.
3. You must alternate your batting order woman, man, woman or vice versa.
4. If you walk a male player the female who is next in the batting order has the option to bat or automatically walk to 1st base. The male player will advance directly to second base regardless of the next female choosing to walk or not.


5. You cannot have more male players on the line-up than female players. You will be allowed to start with 4 male and 5 female players. If 5 Females and 4 Males start and/or complete the entire game, players must always bat Male-Female-Male or vice versa. * THERE WILL BE NO STARTING GAMES WITH 8 PLAYERS!!!


6. Players can play in any position they wish to in the field.
7. All Players start with 1-1 count.


8. From 3rd base to home plate there will be a commitment line halfway between, once a runner crosses that line they must continue home and cross the line (not touch home) before the fielder gets the ball and touches home plate.


9. A (4) team tourney will played at the conclusion of the coed season involving the top 4 teams only. Seeding will be laid out based upon record.


10. Substitution placement is as follows, opposing team can choose where Substitute player can’t play, but for safety reasons can’t place substitute in a position they are uncomfortable playing.


11. Cones will be placed at 175’ from home plate, in the outfield.



Revised 1/21/2014