Gowanus Heights Softball League

William Juliano, Commissioner
(718-272-4474/646-541-7279) ¨ williamnyy@aol.com

The following are rules and regulations unique to the GHSBL and are to be used and read in conjunction with the 2007 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.

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 (unless deemed threatening).

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 and all games involving the player will be ruled a forfeit.

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 2 games (not 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 two or more times for throwing a bat or abusing officials, they will be subject to a mandatory one 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.

I) Alcohol consumption is not permitted on any fields permitted to the league. Please assure your team’s compliance as all permits are revocable based upon violation of this rule

J) All teams must clean up their dugouts upon game completion. Failure to do so could result in as much as a $75 fine that will either be used to supplement the prize pool or pay any summons issued to the league.

A) All players must sign a waiver form before the start of the season in order to be eligible to play in the league.

B) 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 added to the prize pool as well as forfeiture of the right to act as the home team in any game.

D) Starting in week 5, all managers will be given a copy of each teams’ rosters. Should any manager have concerns about the use of a non-roster player, they must record their objections as a protest and submit it to the commissioner using the appropriate procedures listed herein.

E) 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 full name must also appear on at least 10 lineup cards (or a proportion of total games played not less than 1/3), including at least 7 lineup cards for games played after week 4. All full names must be printed clearly; ineligible line-up cards as well as those with only first names will be considered invalid and will be not applied toward the eligibility requirement. If it is believed that a player’s name has been fraudulently added to a lineup card, it is the responsibility of the opposing team to ask for verification. Should it be revealed that a player’s name has been fraudulently listed, the team manager will be ejected from the current game and suspended for two additional games, beginning immediately.

F) After the fourth week of the season, no player will be permitted to switch teams. Eligibility is not transferable between teams.

G) 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

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 10 am on the Friday before the game) will be responsible for compensating all game officials. Should a team forfeit a game after 10 am on Friday, but before 9 PM, it will be responsible for paying a $60 fee. Should a team forfeit after 9 PM on Friday, it will be responsible for the entire cost of the officials' fee. Should a team forfeit, it will be required to pay all outstanding fees before its next scheduled game. Failure to do so will result in a suspension of that team’s schedule, with all lapsed games being declared a forfeit. All game cancellations must be called into the commissioner at 646-541-7279.

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.

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 and to collect completed lineup cards (games will not be permitted to start until completed lineup cards are submitted). 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 with the exception that NO rule stated herein may be changed by a ground rule. At the end of the pre-game meeting, game officials will give each manager the carbon copy of the opposing team’s lineup.

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. An exception to this rule applies when playing split doubleheaders (against two different teams). In that instance, the home team will be designated on the schedule.

C) F12 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.

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 90^th minute. Once an inning is started, however, it must be completed before the time limit can be evoked.

E) There are no “official games”. Instead, a suspended game will be declared if any contest is postponed after the start of the fourth inning (or bottom of the 3rd innings if the home team is ahead). All other games will canceled and rescheduled if possible.

F) In the playoffs, all games that can not be finished will be suspended, regardless of the inning in which the suspension occurs.

G) If a game is suspended (due to rain, darkness, etc.), it will be resumed from the exact point of the suspension (i.e., if Team A is winning 5-1 with two outs in the bottom of the fourth at the time of suspension, that is the point at which the suspended game will resume). All teams involved in a suspended game must not leave the field until ensuring that their lineup cards have been collected by the game officials.

H) 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 or 15 runs after the losing team has completed three turns at bats. The Mercy rule will also be in effect for the first two rounds of the playoffs as well as in any consolation tournaments that may be applicable.

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 ensure that fields are in playable condition, including providing all necessary equipment to perform maintenance. Each team is also responsible for bring necessary equipment and ensuring that its players participate in the maintenance efforts. Should one team refuse to work on a field, it will be assigned a forfeit and required to pay all requisite fees. Also, if, after a reasonable period of maintenance has been performed, league officials (or BOTH team managers) still deem a field unplayable, a rainout will be declared.

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) Once a game has started, the authority to declare a postponement rests solely with the individual game officials presiding over each contest.

F) The first 11 weeks of the season will take precedence over the final three. As many as three rainouts during the first 11 weeks of the season will be made up at the end of the season (in the order they occur). If there are more than three rainouts, those games will not be made up. If there are less than three rainouts, the schedule will proceed as prescribed in Appendix B.

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.

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. 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 on an unlimited basis, except for the pitcher (which, unless being DH’ed for, has a limit of one switch) and the player for whom the DH is batting (which is prohibited). For example, an EH and a 1B can switch positions, while maintaining the same slot in the batting order. Also, all switches must be made before the start of a half inning or immediately after a pitching change.

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 (non-pitcher) 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.

J) Please note that once removed from a game, a player may not return to pitch under any circumstances. However, a player may be removed as a pitcher and allowed to return to the mound one time if he is inserted into another active position (in the field or as an EH).

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.

F) An official's ruling on a particular piece of equipment shall govern and be final.

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 “B-level” 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 strictly prohibited. Interpretation of a pitcher's delivery is the responsibility of game officials. In addition, pitchers will not be allowed to use excessive speed (i.e., faster than approximately 60 mph). Should a game official deem a pitcher's delivery to be illegal after a pitch has been thrown, he will call a delayed dead ball, which will give the offensive team the option of choosing the result of the pitch (i.e., base hit, sac fly, etc.) or an automatic ball. If a second offense is committed, the official will once again call a delayed dead ball, giving the offense the same option. After a second delayed dead ball, the pitcher will be removed from the mound (but allowed to continue in the game at a different position). If a pitcher is removed from the mound on more than one occasion for throwing illegal pitches, he will be permanently declared ineligible as a pitcher. Aside from the actions of game officials, repeated complaints about a particular pitcher using excessive speed or an illegal motion will be subject to review by the commissioner and could result in a declaration of permanent ineligibility.

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. Blocking the baseline without the ball is not permitted. If a game official determines that a runner was forced to give himself up or alter his path to a base to avoid a collision with a fielder blocking a baseline without the ball, the runner will be called safe.

A) By the end of the fourth 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 (as many as, but not more than, two players may wear the same number). 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.

B) Pitchers Mound: The distance between the pitcher's mound and home plate is 46 feet.

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 noon on the Wednesday following the protested game

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, after which a $25 fee will be required to lodge an additional protest.

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 begin on April 14 and consist of: 14 regular season weeks (28 games), one All Star Game and three weeks of postseason. See Appendix B for regular season format.

B) For the 2007 season, the league will be composed of one division of 12 teams. All teams will be scheduled to play each other at least two times.

C) The hierarchy for tiebreakers in division standings will be as follows: (1) head-to-head; (2) run differential in head-to-head matchups; and (3) run differential in all games.

D) There will be three championship playoff rounds scheduled on August 4, 11 and 18.

E) The top-8 teams in the league will make the playoffs. The match-ups will be as follows: 1 v. 8, 2 v. 7, 3 v. 6 and 4 v. 5. In round two, the highest seed will play the lowest seed and so forth.

F) Playoff series will consist of a best two-out-of-three format. In all series, the team with the better record will be designated as the home team in the first and third games of each series.

G) All playoff series will be played at 9:00AM unless enough fields are not available or BOTH teams opt to play in the afternoon and a field is available to accommodate the request. In the first round of the playoffs ONLY, field assignments will be made based on the preferences of the highest seeds. All championship games will be played on Six Diamonds #6.

H) In addition to a championship playoff, a consolation tournament will also be held. The tournament will use the following format:

Ø Week 1 of Playoffs – All teams eliminated from the championship playoffs will play in a single elimination tournament. All games will be based on hierarchical seeding. The winner of the first round of the tournament will advance to the second round, which will be played in Week 3.

Ø Week 3 of Playoffs – The six teams eliminated during the playoffs will join with the winner of the first round winner to compete in the second round of the single elimination tournament. All games will be based on a hierarchical seeding of the final regular season standings, with the top seed given a first game bye.

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) Retrieving Bases. At times, managers of teams designated as the home team may be responsible for retrieving bases in the afternoon. All teams will be informed of this requirement via email on a weekly basis.

A) An All Star Game (ASG) is scheduled for July 7, 2007 at 10:00AM. The ASG will consist of one nine inning game between players from a divided allocation of the league (TBD). At least two players from each team will be represented. In addition, homerun hitting and fastest man competitions will be held with prizes awarded to each winner. Contest participation will be determined by the league prior to the events.

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.

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) During the regular seasons, all teams will be permitted to designate one official that they do not want to work their games. Every effort will be made to honor this designation, although no guarantees will be made. In the playoffs, each series participant will be permitted to designate one preferred official. This request will be subject to each individual officials’ availability.

C) 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.

D) Each League contest will feature two game officials. When two officials are present, the per team fee is $38/game. Should only one official be present at a game, the per team fee is $29/game.

E) 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, both teams will be required to pay $38/game.

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.

Appendix B. Regular Season Format

Scenario 1: No rainouts

1) After week 11, the league will be separated into two groups based on the standings. The top-4 teams will be placed into Group A, while the remaining eight teams will be placed into Group B.

2) Over the final three weeks, each team from Group A will play the other in one double header. Also, each team from Group B will play six opponents in one game (three spit doubleheaders in each week).

Scenario 2: One rainout

3) Week 12 will be used a make-up date for the first rainout. After week 12, the league will be separated into two groups based on the standings. The top-4 teams will be placed into Group A, while the remaining eight teams will be placed into Group B.

4) Over the final two weeks, each team from Group A will play two other opponents in one double header. Also, each team from Group B will play four of the remaining seven opponents in one game (two spit doubleheaders in each week).

Scenario 3: Two rainouts

5) Week 12 and 13 will be used as make-up dates for the first two rainouts. After week 13, the league will be separated into two groups based on the standings. The top-4 teams will be placed into Group A, while the remaining eight teams will be placed into Group B.

6) In the final week, each team from Group A will play two other opponents in one game (a split double header). Also, each team from Group B will play one opponent in a double header.

Scenario 4: Three rainouts

7) All three final weeks will be used as make-up dates for the first three rainouts.

Ø The four teams in Group A will be guaranteed the top-4 seeds in the championship playoffs, while the remaining eight teams will battle for the final four seeds.

Ø The standings will not be wiped-out. Teams will continued to compile records based on a cumulative total of all 14 regular season weeks. However, those cumulative totals will be compared separately within each group. In other words, even though it is possible that a team from Group A could end the season with a lesser record than a team from Group B, all Group A teams will enter the championship playoffs with a higher seed.

Ø Should any games be rained out in the final three weeks of the season, they will not be made up.