COLLINS SLOW PITCH
The rules listed herein apply to Collins Softball Slow-Pitch leagues Cedar Rapids Division.
This is a recreational league. Safety and sportsmanship are the two primary considerations of all players. Any player guilty of intentionally injuring another player, displaying poor sportsmanship, threatening someone or physically assaulting another person will be suspended from all Collins activities for one (1) year. Larger suspensions or permanent suspensions can result, depending on the severity of the infraction. Poor sportsmanship is any dirty play, verbal or physical abuse, harassing an opposing player or an umpire, or profanity, just to name a few.
The official rule book published by the Amateur Softball Association applies to Collins Slow Pitch leagues. Any exceptions are explained in this document:
I. GENERAL
1. There is not a maximum number of players a team may use in a batting lineup.
2. Only players in the lineup may play defense. No limitation is imposed on defensive changes provided only lineup players are used.
3. If a player arrives late they may be added to the end of the lineup without penalty.
4. A player may not leave the lineup without penalty unless in case of injury.
a) A player may re-enter a game provided that he bat in his original lineup location.
5. There is no minimum number of players to start and continue a game.
a) If 8 or fewer players are present on defense, the batting team will provide a catcher to return the softball to the pitcher after pitches. This batting-team catcher will move out of the way once a batted ball is in play and will not be used to help on defense. Another defensive player must cover home plate.
6. A 15 run after 5 innings mercy-rule applies for all league and tournament games.
7. Max lead is 15 runs at any point of the game in the Recreational division. There is no such rule in the Competitive division.
8. Batting:
a) All batters start with a 1 ball / 1 strike count. One courtesy foul is allowed if on strike two. A called strike three is an out.
b) The plate and a mat (see diagram), physically placed behind the plate, will consist of the strike zone for all slow-pitch leagues. If the ball touches ANY part of the plate and/or mat, a strike shall be called, except if the ball hits the front edge of the plate and bounces back towards the pitcher.
c) Pitches must peak between 6 and 12 feet. If not, in the judgement of the umpire, an illegal pitch will be called, which equates to a ball. Illegal pitches can still be hit, however.
d) "Safety base at Home" Similar to the safety bag at 1st base, on plays at Home the defense gets the base and the runner gets the extension/mat.
• Note: If it is necessary to avoid contact with the defensive player a runner may use home base to score. This may be the situation if the toss is coming from the backstop fence and the defender is reaching across the mat.
9. "Force out at Home" If a defensive player has the ball and is on Home plate, and the runner simultaneously touches or passes Home, the runner is out.
a) Note: This is similar to a force out except a runner can turn around and head back to 3rd base. A force out is not recorded until the runner tags or passes Home. If the defender is not on Home base standard base path rules apply.
10. When women bat, the minimum depth the outfielders may position is even with the light poles behind the infield. After the batter hits the ball, outfielders are allowed to move anywhere in the field of play.
11. Infield practice can be taken in the first inning only. The umpire will determine the number of warm-up pitches allowed between innings based on how the game is progressing, time-wise (typically 3 pitches). No player other than the pitcher will take a ball out to the field between innings.
12. If a contention occurs, it must be filed with the umpire at that point in the game. The point of the game must be marked and recorded in the official score book, along with the rules, interpretations and reasons for protest. The game hence continues under the umpire's ruling and the protest will be brought before the League Coordinator. If the League Coordinator agrees with the umpire's ruling. To be considered, protests must involve rules interpretations, not an umpire's judgement call. A notification of intent to protest must be made by the protesting team captain to the umpire immediately after the protested situation occurs and before the next pitch. Rules protests at this point apply to the playing rules, not to the eligibility of a player or to the league rules.
Contention concerning player eligibility must be filed no later than one week following the game in question, in writing to the league office (i.e. Employee Services). League rules are not to be contested. The league office ruling on a contention is final.
13. The team captain ONLY may approach the umpire to contest a play/call. Any player not abiding shall receive a judgement penalty by the umpire (e.g. removal from game).
14. The infield fly rule will be enforced in this league to reduce 'exploited' double plays. The umpire's judgment on where the ball falls is not contestable (e.g. a few feet into the outfield), unless it goes foul or out of play, of course.
15. Bats:
a) Competitive League – Personally owned bats that meet ASA standards will be allowed. League bats will also be provided. Only women will be able to use the Miken league provided bat.
b) Recreational League - Personally owned aluminum bats are NOT allowed in the league. The league will be providing bats. Personally owned wood bats are permitted. Only women will be able to use the Miken league provided bat.
16. Balls: Balls will be supplied by the league.
a) A 12' .52/300 COR compression ball is used for men batters in all leagues.
b) A 11' .52/300 COR compression ball is used for women batters in all leagues.
17. Cleats: Metal Cleats are not allowed.
18. Courtesy runners are permitted only when the player requesting a courtesy runner is injured during the ensuing action/play of the current at bat. However, if the runner is suffering from an injury not related to the current at-bat, game, or even sport, a courtesy runner may be used pending consent from the opposing captain (remember, this is a recreational league). Consent is required here simply to prevent exploitation.
a) The courtesy runner can be inserted only after the play has ended (i.e. he/she must at least make it to first base, via a hit or walk).
b) The courtesy runner must be the person who made the last out, reverting to the previous inning if necessary.
II. PERSONNEL
1. Team registration will be active before the start of the season, and the active dates will be posted on the league site. No late team registrations will be accepted, except for special circumstances (e.g.: coop student teams), which must be approved by the league coordinators.
2. Player eligibility includes only the following:
* Current/active employees and their spouses
* Retired employees and their spouses
* Former employees who were employed at the time of registration (and their spouses)
* Active contractors and their spouses
* Current/active Rockwell Collins Rec. Center members
3. Team captains are responsible to see that all players are qualified to participate using the above listed guidelines.
4. The company, Collins Aerospace, will not be held responsible for injuries sustained while participating in the Softball Program. This is a voluntary effort on your part to participate in this activity. Please note that your group insurance will cover the majority of accidents.
5. All players added to a team's roster (either before or during the season) must complete the player registration form prior to game start. All players are also required to pay a fee, determined by the league office, prior to joining a Collins softball league team. The registration fee is nonrefundable. No additions are permitted after the end of the season, except to augment player deficits (less than ten for the subject team) caused by layoffs, coops returning to school, etc. The League Coordinator must approve additions during this period.
6. Players are permitted to register on a max of one team per night, but must pay a separate fee for each team.
7. Substitute players are permitted only for the purposes of fielding a full team of ten players during the season. Subs are not allowed if the team in question already has ten or more regular players (that is, ten that show up to play for the subject game). Subs must be registered in the league and can be acquired from other teams or the free agent list. However, if it is perceived, in the League Coordinator's judgement, that a particular team has employed substitutes for the purpose of 'stacking', the team in question can be issued a forfeit. Also, a forfeit will be issued if an unregistered player is used. Keep in mind that this rule is intended to allow teams to be competitive during those unplanned and often unavoidable player absences. Let's keep this clean.
8. Subs are not allowed during the playoffs
Note: exceptions are allowed if the opposing captain has been asked and approves
9. To transfer from one team to another, a player must have the consent of the old and the new team captains involved. The League Coordinator and the Rockwell Collins Rec. Center office must be notified prior to the first game following transfer.
III. GROUND, PLAYING TIME, AND SCORE SHEET RULES
1. Out of bounds consists of the areas to the outside of the first and third base 'fence' lines. Any ball entering this area, via either a throw or in the hands of a fielder, is a dead ball. In the event a ball enters the out of bounds area, runners may advance as follows:
? One base if the ball is carried out of bounds
? Two bases if the ball goes out of bounds via a throw
Note: ASA rules make numerous exceptions to awarding two bases on throws that go out of bounds. We do not to keep things simple. All out of bounds throws are two bases from the moment the ball left the throwers hand.
2. Foul territory consists of the area between the fence and foul lines. Runners may advance when fly balls are caught in this area at their own risk (the ball is 'live'.
3. Interference occurs when any person other than a defensive player touches a fairly hit ball. The batter and any base runners are entitled to as many bases as the hit would have yielded without the 'interference', in the umpire's judgement. NOTE: The umpire's judgement may not be protested.
4. Cancellation information will be available at http://m.rcrcsports.com/. If the page does not address the current day's games then games are still on. Once the page says a game is cancelled we will never un-cancel. GOOD RULE OF THUMB - if you are unsure whether or not to show - SHOW UP! In situations where rain is uncertain or lightning occurs umpires will make a game time decision.
5. Game starting times are as follows:
? 5:30 p.m.
? 6:40 p.m.
? 7:50 p.m.
? 9:00 p.m.
After an umpire declares 'play ball' a pitcher, catcher, and batter are to promptly begin play. If a team is not ready to play the umpire will begin calling balls/strikes against the defense/offense until play begins.
6. The umpire will be responsible for calling a game on account of darkness, weather, or time limit. Umpires must notify both captains of the last inning prior to the beginning of the last inning. Last innings will be called no sooner than ten minutes before the next scheduled game or:
- 6:30 for the 5:30 game
- 7:40 for the 6:40 game
- 8:50 for the 7:50 game
- 10:00 for the 9:00 game
7. An official game must consist of at least five (5) innings (or 4 ? when the winning team does not need to take their last at-bat). Games called with less than 5 innings will be replayed in their entirety.
8. Scores will be maintained during the game by the umpire. Results will be reported by the captains. Captains should verify the score after each half inning and address any discrepancies before continuing play. Both captains must sign the umpire's official score sheet at the end of the game. Once signed, the score shown therein is the official score of that game.
9. A forfeit will be scored as 7-0 in favor of the non-forfeiting team.
10. For games played at the Collins fields, the winning teams of the final game played each night are responsible for returning all bases, mats, etc. to the storage shed and inserting ground plugs in the base posts.
IV. LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP & TOURNAMENTS
1. Season standings within the Monday Competitive league are determined:
a) first by overall record
b) then by head-to-head record
c) then by record vs. common opponents
d) and finally, a coin flip.
2. Season standings within the Tuesday Rec league are determined:
a) first by overall record
b) then by head-to-head record
c) then by record vs. common opponents
d) and finally by preseason seed (to account for strength of schedule differences)
3. Tournaments will be sized late in the season when it is more apparent where there are groups of competitive teams. Seeds will be determined based on season standings.
V. CAPTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The captain will make all team members aware and knowledgeable of the rules of this league. The captain will be those in contact with the League Coordinator or league office. All other players should contact this individual concerning questions, comments or complaints.
2. Captains should ensure that their constituent players are made aware of all pertinent information concerning this league.
3. The captains will be responsible for contacting their constituent players when their game has been cancelled, and again when make-up game information is known. The league office will only contact the respective captains. The league office is not responsible for contacting their players.
4. Captains will encourage their team to pick up litter, etc., from the diamond area following their game. Also, all players are to notify the umpire of all lost and found items, such as gloves, sunglasses, clothing, etc.
VI. SAFETY
1. The following is a statement in lay-men's terms as summarized from the ASA Rules of what is expected for safe recreational play:
a) A player is not required to slide at any time. Whenever a player is attempting to reach a base, the player should slide or get out of the way (tiptoe or 'duck') so that the safety of themselves or others is not compromised.
b) If' in the umpire's opinion, the runner has created an unsafe condition to himself or other players, the runner is to be called out and the play is over. This results in a dead ball, and no one advances regardless of his/her ability to gain the next base. ASA rules apply where the defensive player has interfered with the base runner of the batter. If a defensive player creates an unsafe condition by blocking the path of the runner or any other unsafe conditions, he/she may be asked to leave that game by the umpire.
c) An out will be issued whenever a runner interferes with a play (typically a throw) by not making a reasonable attempt to get out of the way, via a slide, tiptoe to one side or ducking.
2. All players must wear shirt and shoes that are practical and safe for competitive play.
3. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the premises of the Collins Aerospace Sports Park Complex or in the various parking lots which surround the complex. League participants and spectators are to abide by the no alcohol rule. Those who do not will be required to leave.
a) Any team member caught consuming alcoholic beverages on Collins Aerospace property will be suspended from the league.
b) Alcoholic beverages are not allowed during games played outside of Collins Aerospace property.
c) Intoxicated players will not be allowed to play. |