TSRA Softball League

First and foremost the league is about recovery and unity. While competition is fun, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment. All players are required to read and sign our code of conduct and rules prior to participating.

PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT No player or fan shall, at any time, lay a hand upon, shove or threaten to strike anyone, especially officials or softball personnel Penalty: Ejection from the league and possible charges being pressed

No player or fan shall verbally threaten anyone especially officials or softball personnel Penalty: Ejection from the game, venue, and possible ejection from the league

No player or fan shall use sexist, profane, obscene, vulgar language or behavior in any manner, or at any time whether on the field or not. Penalty: 1. Warning by Umpire OR Commissioner 2. Ejection from the game and venue

No player or fan shall refuse to abide by an official’s decision Penalty: Ejection from the game and venue

No player or fan shall appear upon the field of play or in the stands at any time in an intoxicated condition Penalty: Ejection from the game and venue

Note: ANY person ejected from a game constitutes a forfeit by that individual’s team I do hereby certify that these rules and Players Code of Conduct have been distributed and discussed with my team.

The league is a tool to teach us all how to have fun in sobriety. Let us remember that.

TSRA SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES
Approved for 2021 Calendar Year

Note to the coaches: There is a spirit that goes with all our rules. Please use discretion/patience when voicing an objection.

TSRA Softball is a Private League and we loosely modify existing rules set forth by ASA/USA Softball. This document supersedes ALL rules set forth by any Association or Organization. If any rule claim cannot be reconciled with this document, we will default to the current rules and regulations of ASA/USA Softball. If for any reason a rule cannot be reconciled with this document or ASA/USA Softball, the League Commissioner will have ultimate authority. In the event, the league commissioner is unavailable or is involved as a party to the rule being questioned, that ultimate authority will move to the Alternate Commissioner or the next in line as outlined below

League Commissioner

Alternate League Commissioner

Softball League Secretary

Softball League Treasurer

Softball Roster Manager

Any Softball Committee Elected position holder

TSRA Board President TSRA Board Officer

TSRA Board Member

RULES

1. The Athletic Supervisor has the right to eliminate any team and/or player for any reason at any time with no refund.

2. Game times are forfeit times. Except for the first games of the day. Forfeitures will be left to the discretion of the field supervisor/scorekeeper.

3. Home teams are determined by the flip of a coin

4. All games will have a 50-minute time limit from the time the umpire for “Coaches”

a. Complete games: A game will be considered complete and no new inning started when

i. At the completion of seven innings and the game is not tied

ii. At the completion of 50 minutes and the game is not tied

iii. The 10-run rule is in effect after 41⁄2 - 5 innings, or 45 minutes, whichever comes first

iv. The 15-run rule is in effect after 3-1/2-4 innings, or 40 minutes, whichever comes first

5. If a game must be called due to inclement weather, darkness, or any other potentially hazardous conditions, the game shall be considered complete if 5 or more innings have been played, or 41⁄2 if the home team is ahead. If 41⁄2 -5 innings have not been played, then the game will be rescheduled, and teams will pick up in the exact place they left off. We realize that rosters may be different so returning players MUST bat in their original spots and the lineup order MUST remain the same with respect to original male and female positions in batting order. If in the original game a team batted 11 in their lineup and the makeup game can only bat 10 or fewer, that team will take an out when the vacated lineup spot is due up ONLY for the first time thru the lineup during the makeup game.

6. No steel cleats, hard plastic or removable cleats are allowed. Shoes must be rubber soled or molded cleat.

7. Every bat used must have the ASA certification mark or USSSA adult slow-pitch with the thumb print certification mark and the certification mark must be identifiable by the umpire to be considered legal. (There are a few bats that have the 2000 and 2004 certification mark that are now illegal and can be found on the “ASA nonapproved bat list”. As of March 2019, there are not any current USSSA adult slow-pitch bats with the certification mark that are non-approved.) If the certification mark is not visible it will be up to the umpire’s discretion on whether to allow the bat. Any player caught using an illegal bat will be ejected from the game and the game will be declared a forfeit. Any player caught using an illegal bat a second time, will be banned from the league at the discretion of the board.

8. External jewelry may be worn at the discretion of the player but must be removed or taped at the request of the umpire.

9. A game can be started with only 8 players and 2 of them must be Women.

a. A game CAN be played with 7 men and 2 women, or 6 men and 2 women, with the following conditions.

i. The team must take an out at the beginning of every inning.

ii. The opposing team selects a spot in the lineup where the team will take an additional out every time it comes up. (example): the shorthanded team gives their 8 or 9-person lineup to the opposing team. The opposing coach says after your 4th batting spot we want an out. Both 4 and 5 batting spots still get to bat but an out is imposed every time the 4 spot is done hitting. The opposing coach can select anywhere in the lineup to impose that out but must be done at beginning of the game.

iii. It is the coach’s responsibility to inform the umpire where in the lineup the additional out is being imposed. And when that spot comes around each time in the lineup during the game. b. The rule is the same for an 8-person lineup and a 9-person lineup. 1 out at the start of each inning and 1 imposed out in 1 designated spot in the lineup. c. If there are more than 7 men present, then the additional men are Subs in the lineup. A shorthanded team CAN NOT bat more than the number of players on the field.

iv. If a female on a shorthanded team must leave the game for any reason, the game will be declared a forfeit. There can never be less than 2 women on the field or in the lineup.

10. Ejection: Any player who is ejected from any game must sit out a minimum of one game. Which is the next full game. Any team having a player, or a coach ejected from a game, will be declared a forfeit by that team.

11. Players must be at least 16 years of age unless field management requires person to be older

12. Once a person plays one time for a team, they cannot play for any other team in the league - To do so will result in a forfeit. In this instance we define ‘play/s’ as being on defense in the field, or at bat when any legal pitch is made. Any coach can challenge the person in question. Proper channels must be followed. Please notify acting commissioner to enforce the rule.

a. Note: Any player of a team folding on or before the regular season is halfway over, may be eligible to play for another team with the stipulation that when a team folds, they must submit a roster to the commissioning staff. We must have the roster on or before the regular season is halfway over.

13. Intentional walk: Coach/Pitcher/Catcher will notify the umpire and the umpire will award the batter first base. If a male is walked and a female follows, the male will be awarded second base and the female will have the option of either hitting or walking to first base.

14. If the batter is a female, all outfielders (no more than 4) must be outside the arc at the time the ball is hit. All Infielders must remain on the dirt. A 175 ft. arc will be placed in the outfield at Hyland Hills. 200ft at Olympic Park. If the batter is male, the defensive team may have as many outfielders/infielders as they like, provided the total number of players on the field is no more than 10

15. Male Dominance: No male shall be allowed to take away the female’s play/position during a live ball. Example: Male pitcher may not take the female catcher’s position on a throw to the home plate. Male center fielder may not catch a female left fielder’s fly ball. Umpires will allow everyone to be safe if this occurs.

16. Safety base must be used. Base runner must tag the orange bag when a play is made at first base. Failure to do so will result in the runner being called out. The first base position player must tag the white part of the bag. Failure to do so will result in the runner being safe regardless of the result of the play.

17. No digging in the batter’s box. The player will be warned and then called out.

18. Courtesy Runners – A team will be allowed a maximum of two (2) courtesy runners. The same two players in the lineup may request a courtesy runner every time they reach base. The replacement runner will be the person who was the last out. If that person is on base or up to bat, then the person farthest in the batting line up would run for the player who needs the courtesy runner. (Rule is meant for injured players, NOT FOR CONVENIENCE.)

19. Pitcher and catcher may be any combination. A Pitcher must wear a facemask that protects the jaw, face, and forehead area.

20. Tie breaker procedures for standings.

a. Head to Head

b. Run differential in games played vs tied teams

c. Total runs allowed in games played vs tied teams

d. Total runs allowed season

e. Coin Flip

f. Extra Inning Play: All extra-inning games and games tied after the time limit will go to one pitch; you either walk, strike out or take the result of the play. No exceptions. (Foul ball is an out). You will also start the first extra inning with the last player who batted in the previous inning on second base with no outs. If, after one full extra inning, the game is still tied, the last player who batted from the previous inning will start on third base with no outs.

21. All players are requested to have a form of Photo ID with them in case of an identity dispute. The ID must be presented upon request. No more than two players may be checked. If a person does not have an ID, then they cannot play in that game. Please note that the player/players in question may be granted some latitude to present their ID.

22. The team manager will hustle players on and off the field between innings. The umpire must first warn and then call the game a forfeit if a team employs tactics to delay a game.

23. Protests: A protest will be considered only if it deals with an interpretation of a rule or the eligibility of a player. Intent to protest must be made immediately before the next pitch. A protest of a game must be made in writing to the commissioner within 48 hours following the game and be accompanied by a $25.00 protest fee. If your protest is found to be correct and action is taken, then you will be refunded your $25.00. If your protest is not upheld, then you will forfeit the $25.00 fee. The commissioner, Head Umpire, and Athletic Director will make all final decisions. Note: If the team that the Commissioner is playing on is involved, the Assistant Commissioner will fill in.

24. Each team Is asked to maintain a scorebook for each game. If/when there is a score, roster, count, number of outs dispute, Umpires and league officials will defer to the most complete scorebook.

25. The blood rule: A player/coach who is bleeding or who has blood on their uniform cannot participate until he/she is treated, and/or their uniform is changed. If that is accomplished in a reasonable amount of time, they do not have to leave the game.

26. All players must be eligible. Eligibility requirements are as such:

a. CLEAN AND SOBER. All players within the 12 Step League must be alcohol and drug-free unless they are a family member described in (2.)(b). Per the Softball Operating By-Laws (3.1) Members that are participating in the programs sponsored by TSRA Softball, are alcohol and drug free during the event, and have been alcohol and drug free for 24 hours prior to the event

b. In addition to being alcohol and drug-free, each player must meet one of the following conditions:

i. Be an active member of a 12 Step Recovery Program that pertains to substance abuse.

ii. Be a family member (Spouse, Partner, Parent, Child, Sibling) of a current player who is an active member of a 12 Step Recovery Program that pertains to substance abuse.

iii. Be Grandfathered into the league prior to Spring 2016.

Note: In the future, players may be asked to submit an eligibility form.

c. NEW PLAYERS. All new individual players within the 12-Step League must be active members of a 12 Step Recovery Program pertaining to substance abuse.

d. GRANDFATHER CLAUSE. All individual players who have played within the 12 Step League, prior to Spring 2016, will be permitted to continue playing in the league provided they do not miss a full calendar year.

e. NEW TEAMS: All new teams wishing to join the 12 Step League must be voted in by the Coaches

27. Elastic Power: The Athletic Director, Field Supervisor and acting Commissioner shall have complete charge of all situations not covered in the rules. Rules shall be acted upon by the supervisor, and all decisions are final. Be aware that during tournament play it is necessary that your team be available to play until you have verified that you have completed playing for the day or your team has completed tournament play.

28. Any legal pitch that hits any part of the plate or the strike mat is considered a strike

29. The pitcher must be in contact with the pitching rubber or the 6 ft extension when the pitch is released, and all other ASA slow-pitch rules still adhere.

30. A legal pitch must travel within a 6’ to 10’ arc.

31.The tournament rosters will be approved by the TSRA Roster Manager and Commissioning Staff. All tournament rosters are due 2 weeks before the end of season tournament. To be eligible for tournament play, a player must have been present on 2 separate weeks during regular season play, as proven by the submitted lineup card. If a player does not meet that criteria, the coach may request the opposing coach (if they are known) if it is ok for the player to play in that game. If the opposing coach does not approve, the requesting coach may assemble a panel of 4 coaches and request a vote. This vote will be supervised by the commissioning staff. If the vote results in a tie, the commissioning staff will be the deciding vote. If you know ahead of time that a player does not meet the criteria yet wants to play in the tournament, we ask that you invoke this rule before tournament rosters are due.

If extenuating circumstances arise, a coach has up to first pitch to invoke this rule. IF after the vote, the commissioning staff finds that this rule is being abused. The commissioning staff will veto the vote and any other rules that apply to the situation will be implemented up to and including a forfeit. This is a privilege and if a team abuses this privilege their privilege will be revoked for no less than One Calendar Year. The spirit of this rule is for a team to be able to field a team. NOT TO HAVE EXTRA BATTERS OR PLAYERS

32. Home Run Rule – Teams are allowed 3 home runs then a 1 up goes into effect. Any home runs hit in excess of the home run limit will be called out.

33. Ball Sizes: By Default, men bat with the 12-inch ball and female players bat with the 11inch ball. However, Individual female players may choose to bat with the 12-inch ball. They must make this request with the umpire prior to the first legal pitch

34. Extra Batters – More than 10 batters are optional, but if used, the extra batter’s spots must be used the entire game. If the game is started with 13 batters in the lineup and 1 player must leave for non-injury/non-illness reasons, then that spot will be an out if there is no legal substitution

35. Re-Entry - Any player, may be substituted or replaced and re-entered once, providing players occupy the same batting positions whenever in the batting line-up. The starting player and their substitute may not be in the line-up at the same time.

36. SUBSTITUTES/ILLEGAL PLAYER

a. A substitute may take the place of a player in their team’s batting order. The following regulations govern player substitutions: ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY. Occurs when:

i. A starting player returns to the game a second time after being substituted for twice.

ii. A starting player returns to the game but is not in his original position in the batting

order.

iii. A substitute returns to the game after being replaced twice.

b. All substitutes’ names should be listed on the official line-up card that is submitted to the plate umpire AND opposing team at the start of the game

37. Boom boxes are allowed at Hyland Hills and Olympic Park however music must be radio appropriate. Please remember that we have families there If a member of your team is found to be playing music that is not radio appropriate, they will be asked to turn it off. If the infraction happens a second time, your team will lose that privilege for the rest of the season. If ANYONE in play OR NOT would like for the music to be turned off because it is distracting, the request will be made respectfully, and the music will be turned off regardless of its appropriateness.

38. Point of No Return – A chalked line will be placed perpendicular to the 3rd base line approximately halfway between 3rd base and home plate. If a base runner rounds 3rd base and crosses this line, then they are committed to going home and cannot return to 3rd base. Once the runner crosses this line, the play at home becomes a force out situation and all the defender must do is touch home plate while they are in control of the ball or place a tag if the catcher is pulled off the plate. The runner is not allowed to set foot inside of the batter’s box and is not allowed to touch Homeplate. If the runner touches the plate OR enters the batter’s box, then they will automatically be called out and the run will not count. The scoring line is a line that extends perpendicular to the 3rd base line from Home Plate to the backstop. To score, the runner must touch the ground across this line before the catcher can make the force out.

39. 7 run limit - Teams that are leading in the game can only score 7 runs per inning until they are no longer leading or tied. Trailing teams can score the number of runs trailing, plus 7 runs in any inning. This rule can be waived by the League Commissioner before the start of the game and it is the responsibility of BOTH coaches to inform the umpire at the coin flip that the Commissioner has approved the rule to be waived for the game. If the teams fail to inform the Umpire and the game begins without the waiver, then the game will continue and be played with the 7-run limit.

For 2021 Summer, there will be 3 divisions, Upper, Middle, and Lower. After the last game before Memorial Day, the softball officers will go over games played and place the teams in divisions for the season. End of season tournament divisions will be based on the final standings and not the season divisions.