 | About |
| Standings |
| Rules |
| Fields |
Gowanus Heights Softball League
William Juliano,
Commissioner
(718-272-4474 /646-541-7279)
Williamnyy@aol.com
2004 Rules and Regulations (Realignment Final)
The following are rules and regulations unique to the GHSBL and are to be used and read in conjunction with the 2004 ASA Official Rules governing modified fast pitch play (the "ASA Rules"). To the extent these rules and regulations differ from the ASA Rules, this document will apply.
Managers are strongly cautioned to make themselves fully familiar with the ASA Rules and any variations occasioned herein.
I. General
Decorum
A) Verbal abuse of game officials or opposing players is strictly prohibited in this League. Any player engaging in such conduct will be subject to immediate ejection by game officials. An ejection for verbal abuse carries a current game suspension and will not be carried over to subsequent games.
B) Throwing bats is strictly prohibited. All game officials will have at their discretion the authority to eject a player who throws a bat in a manner deemed potentially dangerous to participants and by-standers. An ejection for throwing a bat carries a current game suspension and will not be carried over to subsequent games.
C) Using ineligible players is an offense punishable by ejection. Game officials will be empowered to declare a player ineligible if presented with necessary evidence. Should it be revealed that a team is using a player who is not eligible to play as defined by the league's rules and regulations, the offending player will be removed from the game and the team's manager will be ejected from both the current game and the team's next game. Should a player's ineligibility be determined after a game is completed, the manager of the offending team will be suspended for two games.
D) Fighting is strictly and unequivocally prohibited. Any player who instigates a physical confrontation or who threatens another player or game official with physical violence will be immediately ejected at the game official's discretion. An ejection for fighting or using the threat of violence shall result in a minimum suspension of 4 games (including the current game), and could result in expulsion from the league. Should a team be unable to finish a game because their role in a fight has resulted in multiple ejections, they will be forced to forfeit that game, and all games remaining, and will be held responsible for all umpires' fees.
E) If ejected, a player will also be required to vacate his team's bench. Should that player refuse to vacate the bench after being directed to do so, his team's manager will also be ejected. Should either or both ejected parties still refuse to vacate the bench, the team will be forced to forfeit the remaining games and be held responsible for all of fees owed to officials for both games of the doubleheader, regardless if one game has already been completed.
F) Should a player be ejected three times for throwing a bat or abusing officials, they will be subject to a mandatory two game suspension. Should a team be caught using an ineligible player on more than one occasion, that team's manger will be subject to a mandatory four game suspension. Should a player be ejected for fighting or threatening violence on more than one occasion, they will be expelled from the league.
G) All suspensions carrying over between weeks can be appealed to the commissioner. All ejections/suspensions taking place within a current week's doubleheader are not subject to appeal.
H) Should the commissioner, or the commissioner's team be subject to a suspension, all appeals will be decided by majority vote of the league's managers.
II. Roster
Requirements
A) All players must sign a waiver form before the start of the season in order to be eligible to participate in the league.
B) All teams will be required to submit a roster to the commissioner before the fifth week of the season (rainouts will be counted as weeks and will not extend the due date for roster submissions). In addition to filling out a roster, all league players must submit a photo ID to be eligible to participate in the league. If a player doesn't provide a photo ID to the league by week 5, he will be required to have a photo ID in his possession at all times.
C) Rosters may be changed during the first four weeks of the season but will become final thereafter. Failure to submit a roster by week 5 will result in a $50 fine that will be deducted from a team's security deposit.
D) All team rosters must contain between 12 and 22 players without exception.
E) Starting in week 5, all team managers will be given a name and photo roster of all teams in the league. Should a manager decide to challenge the eligibility of a player who hasn't submitted a photo ID, that player will be required to produce a photo ID that matches a name listed on the team's roster. Failure to produce a photo ID and match it with a name listed on a team's roster will result in that player being declared ineligible and the team being subject to all related penalties.
F) In order to qualify for the playoffs, a player must be on the regular season roster of the team for which they are playing. Their signature must also appear on at least 10 lineup cards (or a proportion of total games played not less than 1/3), including at least six lineup cards after week 4. All signatures will be considered valid once a game is completed. If it is believed that a player has fraudulently signed a lineup card, it is the responsibility of the opposing team to ask for verification. Should it be revealed that a player has signed a lineup card for another player, that player and his manager will be ejected from the current game before which the infraction was uncovered
G) After the fourth week of the season, no player will be permitted to switch teams. Eligibility is not transferable between teams.
H) Opposing managers do not have the discretion to waive roster eligibility requirements. A player's eligibility may be questioned by an opposing manager, any league member or league official. All teams are encouraged to include as many players as allowed on their roster to ensure flexibility
III. Lineup
Requirements/Forfeits
A) All games are expected to start on time. In order for a team to begin play, they must field a minimum of 8 eligible players.
B) For the first game of a double-header, forfeit time is 15 minutes after the scheduled start time as monitored by game officials. If a team is unable to field 8 eligible players by the defined time, they will forfeit the game. Once a forfeit has been declared, the next forfeit time will be 30 minutes after the first forfeit is declared as monitored by game officials. If by this time a team still cannot field 8 eligible player, they will forfeit the second game as well.
C) Once a game has started, teams will not be permitted to play with fewer than 8 eligible players. Should a team be forced to drop below this requirement, for whatever reason, including and not limited to injury, they will be forced to forfeit.
D)
Any team that forfeits a game for any reason and
without prior notice (before
E) If a team is forced to forfeit after a game has started, the forfeiting team will assume all officials fees if four full inning have not been completed. If four innings have been completed, each team will be responsible for compensating game officials.
IV. Beginning Play/Time
Limits/Official Games
A) Before the start of each game, game officials will gather team representatives to go over the ground rules that are relative to each field. The ground rules will be determined for any given doubleheader based upon the prevailing conditions at the time of the contest, with the primary concern being the safety of game participants, officials and others at the facility. All managers are cautioned that ground rules are subject to change on a weekly basis and are enforceable at the discretion of game officials.
B) A "coin flip" will be used to determine home teams. The winner of the flip has the choice of which game they would like to serve as home team.
C) F 12 Clinchers are the official game balls of the league. All teams must provide game officials with a Clincher before the start of each game. Failure to do so will result in that team forfeiting its right to act as home team as well as a $6 deduction from that team's security deposit.
D) All games are subject to a time limit that will be enforced at the discretion of game officials. Should game officials deem the time limit as necessary, no inning will be permitted to start after the game's 90th minute. Once an inning is started, however, it must be completed before the time limit can be evoked.
E) A game is official after 5 innings are completed (or 4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead).
F) A game also becomes official when the MERCY rule is invoked. The Mercy rule will take effect if a team is ahead by 10 runs after the losing team has completed five turns at bat, unless the losing team is the home team and the mercy total was attained in the top half of the current inning. In such a case, the home team will be permitted to bat in the bottom half of the inning in an attempt to avoid the mercy.
V.
Rainouts
A) In the event of inclement weather, all teams are required to report to the field unless notified beforehand of a cancellation by the commissioner. If the fields are deemed playable and a team does not show up to play, they will be charged with a forfeit and assume responsibility for all officials' fees.
B) In instances of extreme weather, games may be canceled in advance of Saturday's scheduled start times. If you are uncertain of your game's status, you must CALL THE COMMISSIONER AT 646-541-7279. Should a game be a canceled and the commissioner is not accessible, a message will be left at this number. Unless you hear from the commissioner, either by phone, email, or phone message, you are responsible for showing up at the field.
C) The league will make every effort to make sure that fields are in playable condition. If, however, game officials (or BOTH team managers) deem a field unplayable, a rainout will be declared. In the event of a rainout, game officials are compensated by the league, not by individual teams.
D) Teams are only required to play on designated fields or adjacent, vacant fields that closely approximate the designated field. No team will be required to play on a makeshift field, including but not limited to all-grass, although they may decide to do so in unanimity.
E) Should games be rained out, make up dates will be scheduled when and if possible.
VI.
Lineups
A) A valid lineup must consist of between 8 and 11 eligible players. Before the beginning of play, all managers must submit a lineup card to game officials. Once submitted, a lineup cannot be changed without adhering to the appropriate rules for substitution. A submitted lineup card is also certification by a team's manager that all included players are eligible. A valid lineup card must contain the printed name and position of each player, but need not be signed.
B) Should a manager choose to alter a lineup, he must notify game officials before the change will permitted. An unannounced batter is subject to being declared as an out upon appeal by an opposing manager.
C) Should a team begin a game with more than 8 eligible players and have to subtract one or more from the game without replacement, that player's position in the lineup will be recorded as an automatic out. Should a game official fail to declare the vacated position as an out, it is the opposing manger's responsibility to appeal to the official before the completion of the next batter's turn at the plate. Should the loss of a player result in a lineup of less than 8 players, that team will be forced to forfeit.
D) In addition to the 10 position players, a lineup may consist of ONE DH and ONE EH.
E) A DH may be used to bat in place of ANY position player. Should the DH be inserted in the field at any time, the position that had been "Dh'ed" for will enter the lineup in the slot vacated by the fielder being replaced by the DH. Once the DH is inserted into the field, all rights to the use of a designated hitter are lost.
F) An EH is an extra hitter that may be inserted in the lineup. The EH does not bat for another position. The EH can be interchanged with any position, except pitcher, on an unlimited basis. For example, an EH and a 1B can switch positions, while maintaining the same slot in the batting order. However, should a pitcher assume the EH role, he may not take the mound again.
G) All teams are permitted two courtesy runners that must be clearly labeled on the lineup card. Additional courtesy runners may be permitted with the consent of the opposing manager.
H) Batting out of order is prohibited and subject to penalty as outlined in the ASA rules.
I) In an effort to allow for participation by as many players as possible, the league will use the ASA's rentry rule. This rule allows for a player to be substituted by another and then re-entered for that same player on one occasion. A player may not be replaced on two occasions and may never be active in the lineup at the same time as his replacement. Failing to comply with the guidelines of this rule will render involved players ineligible and subject to ejection and other penalties.
VII.
Equipment
A) All teams must provide two F12 Clinchers for every double header. In the event more balls are needed, the home team in any particular game is obligated to provide additional balls on a "best available" basis. Officials are to begin each half of the first inning with a new ball. From that point on, the official shall, at his discretion, put the best available ball from the two already used into play.
B) All bats must bear official softball designations to be permitted for use in this league.
C) There is no prohibition against a player using a first baseman's mitt at a position other than first base.
D) All catchers MUST wear an approved mask. No player may assume a position behind the plate without a mask.
E) The use of metal spikes and pine tar is strictly prohibited.
F) An official's ruling on a particular piece of equipment shall govern and be final.
VIII. Rules of
Play
The general rules of play are outlined in the ASA rules. Certain clarifications and points of emphasis are listed below. Where these addendums conflict with the ASA rules, the former shall take precedence.
A) Pitching Rules. GHSBL is a modified fast-pitch league. All pitchers must start with one foot in contact with the rubber (or in the absence of a rubber, a location designated by game officials) and stand with their shoulders square to the plate. If both teams agree, a rubber will be optional. Otherwise, a rubber must be in place on the mound unless it can not be fastened properly or hasn't been provided. The pitcher's delivery must present the ball to the batter and proceed to plate from an underhand release as defined by the ASA rules. Sling shot, side arm and windmill deliveries are prohibited. Interpretation of a pitcher's delivery is the responsibility of game officials. Repeated complaints about a particular pitcher are subject to review by the commissioner.
B) Batting Rules. There is no bunting in the league. All bunt attempts will be declared as outs.
C) Leading. Leads are permitted from all bases after the pitcher has released a pitch.
D) Baserunning. All runners must use the outside base on plays at first base, except for pickoffs and tag plays (similarly, all first baseman must use the inside base). All players must slide or give themselves up on close plays at any base. Any player intentionally "barreling-over" another player to secure a base will be declared out and be subject to ejection. There is NO Stealing in this league. Should a fielder, including the pitcher or catcher, attempt to pick-off a baserunner, they may advance at their own caution, provided they first touch the base they originally occupied. Game officials will be responsible for determining whether a thrown ball constitutes a pick-off attempt.
E) Fielding Rules. Phantom tags, or tag attempts when the fielder doesn't posses the ball, are prohibited at all bases. The penalty for a phantom tag will be to award all runners two additional bases beyond the base they currently occupy or are attempting to occupy.
IX.
Uniforms
A) By the end of the third week of the season, all players will be required to wear a uniform. A uniform shall consist of a common shirt with numbers on the back. Players who are not in uniform will be assessed an automatic strike in every at bat. This rule may be waived with an opposing manager's consent.
X. Field
Dimensions
Field dimensions will be governed by the following guidelines:
A) Base Length: The distance between bases is 65 feet.
B) Pitchers Mound: The distance between the pitcher's mound and home plate is 46 feet.
XI.
Protests
A) Any manager may protest a game official's interpretation of a League or ASA rule. Judgment calls, such as, but not limited to balls, strikes, fair, foul, out, safe, etc. are not reviewable.
B) To lodge a protest, a manager must either fill out a protest form or obtain the signature of the home plate umpire on the game page in his scorebook. Accompanying the signature must be a clear explanation of the game situation (including the score and batting orders) and the interpretation being protested. A manager may not protest a game official's decision after a pitch has been recorded following the decision being questioned.
C)
All protests must be reported to the commissioner by
D) If the protest concerns a rule specific to the GHSBL, the commissioner will consult with both the officials and the protesting manager before rendering a decision on the protest. Should the commissioner, or the commissioner's team, be involved in a protest, the decision will be rendered by majority consent of the league's managers, excluding the team also involved in the game in question. All decisions regarding protests are final.
E) If the protest involves a rule from the ASA code, the appropriate actions will be taken.
F) Teams will be permitted two failed protests per season. Should a team exercise more than two failed protests, a $25 fee will be deducted from that team's deposit for each occurrence.
XII.
Schedule/Standings/Tiebreakers/Playoffs - SEE AMENDMENT BELOW FOR
CHANGES
A) An official schedule will be posted to the league website before the start of the season. All teams are bound to their schedule once it becomes official. The regular season schedule will consist of 30 games.
B) The league will be divided into two divisions of 5 or 6 teams in a method determined before the start of the season. Each team will play intra-division opponents a total of 16/20 games and face inter-division opponents 14/10 games.
C) The hierarchy for tiebreakers in division standings will be as follows: (1) head-to-head; (2) division record; (3) run differential.
D) The top-4 teams in each division will make the playoffs. For the first two weeks of the playoffs, each division will engage in a seeded tournament with 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 producing a semifinal game between the winners of each respective matchup. The winner of each division semifinal will then face off for the league championship.
E) Playoff series will consist of a best two-out-of-three format. In the first round of the playoffs, teams awarded the #1 seed will be given home field in all games of a playoff series. In all other series and rounds, the team with the better record will be designated as the home team in the first and third games of each series.
XIII. Manager's
Responsibilities
In addition to making sure that their teams adhere to all league rules and regulations, all team managers will be responsible for the following:
A) Calling in Scores. All managers must inform the commissioner of their games' scores via phone or email by Sunday night.
B) All Star Votes. All managers must also indicate by name or number two players from their team who performed best each week. These "votes" will be used to select each teams' participants for the All Star Game.
XIV. All Star
Game
A) An All Star Game (ASG) is scheduled at the end of the season on the week following the championship game. The ASG will consist of one nine inning game between players from each of the League's two divisions. Players will be invited to participant on an invitation-only basis. At least two players from each team will be represented.
B) A prize for the ASG MVP will be awarded upon the game's completion. The MVP will be chosen by the game officials officiating at the ASG.
XV. Game
Officials
A) Game officials, or umpires, are responsible for interpreting game situations and enforcing all rules and regulations of play. All judgment calls rendered by game officials are final.
B) Game officials also have the authority to enforce the League's code of conduct and, in doing so, have the discretion to eject a game participant. The decision by a game official to eject a participant is final and may not be revoked, unless done so immediately by both game officials after consultation.
C) Each League contest will feature two game officials. When two officials are present, the per team fee is $36/game. Should only one official be present at a game, the per team fee is $27/game.
D) If a game begins with only one umpire, a second umpire may join the game before the start of the third inning. If the third inning has already started, BOTH team managers must agree to permit the second umpire to join the game. If the second umpire is admitted to the game, both teams will be required to pay $36/game.
E) At the end of every double header, the game officials will note one player and one pitcher, regardless of team, who performed best in both games. At the end of the year, the player and pitcher with the most votes will be the MVP and Cy Young respectively. A prize will be awarded to each.
F) Following is the fee schedule for game officials:
|
Umpire
Fee Schedule | |
|
Regulation Game: |
$72/game ($36 per team) |
|
Extra Innings: |
$10/inning ($5 per team) |
|
Rainout (travel fee): |
$20/ump - paid by league |
|
Forfeit (night before): |
$30/ump - paid by forfeiting
team |
|
Forfeit (day of game): |
$72/ump - paid by forfeiting
team |
|
One Official: |
$54/game ($27 per
team) |
XVI.
Prizes
While the GHSBL is not a money league, prizes commensurate with entry fees are administered. The following prizes and their monetary equivalents will apply for the 2004 season.
A) A-Division Champion - Trophy and $1500 Jacket Fund
B) A-Division Runner Up - $200 Cap Fund
C) B-Division Champion - $100 Team BBQ Fund
D) League MVP, Cy Young, All Star Game MVP - TBD according to league funds
The league reserves the right
to supplement and amend these rules as needed. All amendments to the rules will
be given sufficiently in advance before they are to take effect. All managers
will be responsible for knowing and adhering to any additional rules. Any
amendment to the rules may be vetoed by a 2/3 majority
vote.
Copies of field permits will be distributed to all team managers. All managers are advised to have both the permits and these rules with them at all times.
Amendment I - Division
Realignment and Playoff Restructuring
To encourage
competition and enhanced enjoyment in the league, all teams have been realigned
into an A and B division as of
A-Division
The A-Division
consists of the top-5 teams in the league as determined by overall record as of
The A-Division playoffs will span from 8/14 to 8/28. All five teams will qualify for the playoffs and be seeded according to their finish in the standings (the B-Division champion will assume the 6th playoff seed). All playoff series will be best 2 of 3. The top two seeded teams will have a bye in the first round of the playoffs and the 3rd and 4th seed will be awarded home team designation for all games in their first round series. The second round will consist of the top seed playing the lowest remaining seed and the remaining two teams forming the other semifinal. In both series, the higher ranked seed will be designated the home team for the 1st and 3rd games.
Tie-breakers for defining seeds are head-to-head followed by division record and then by run differential. If more than two teams are tied for a position, one team must hold the tie-breaker over all other teams involved in the tie for one particular criterion to be applied.
B-Division
The B-Division
consists of the bottom-5 teams in the league as determined by overall record as
of
The B-Division playoffs will span from 7/31 to 8/7. The top-4 teams will qualify for the playoffs with the last place team being eliminated. Each team will be seeded according to their finish in the standings and all playoff series will be best 2 of 3. All higher ranked seeds (1 v. 4; 2 v.3) will be designated the home team for the 1st and 3rd games. The winner of the B-division playoffs will earn a $100 prize and will also qualify as the 6th seed in the A-Division playoffs the following week.
Tie-breakers for
defining seeds are head-to-head followed by division record and then by run
differential. If more than two teams are tied for a position, one team must hold
the tie breaker over all other teams involved in the tie for one particular
criterion to be applied. If two teams are tied for the last (4th) playoff seed,
they will play a one game series to determine the winner of the tie.