Co-Ed Fall Slow Pitch Softball League - 2008

1. Games will be played Thursdays at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 PM. This league will play at Champion Fields beginning the week of September 1, 2008.
    
2. A team shall consist of ten (10) players. A team must have nine (9) players (all on their roster) to start and finish a game. A team forfeiting the first game of a double header will be allowed 15 minutes to field enough players for game two.
    
3. Players may be added to team rosters by turning in add/drop sheet signed by player and manager to the Parks and Recreation Department no later than 5:00 PM on the day of the first game in which they play. Each team is limited to a maximum of 20 players. The rosters will be frozen and no additions will be allowed after September 19, 2008. If a team's roster drops below ten active players, enough may be added (if the additions are justifiable) to bring the roster up to 12 players with the permission of the Sports and Athletics Supervisor any time during the league season. 
    
4. Any team forfeiting a game will be fined $15.00. If they forfeit a second time they will be fined $20.00. A third forfeit will mean immediate suspension for the remainder of the season. These fees must be in the Parks and Recreation Office prior to your next game, or they will be doubled.
    
5. Each team entry must be accompanied by a $250.00 team entry fee in addition to a $5.00 per player fee. Each player listed on the roster will be charged a $5.00 player fee. In return for player fees each player will receive $5.00 in concession tickets. Entry fees, player fees and rosters are due beginning August 6.
    
6. The department will have one new game ball and second used ball for each game, bases, umpire and trophies. Each team must provide its own bats, practice balls and scorebook. Ties in league standings will be broken in the following sequence:
    
   1. Basis of direct competition with teams in question.
   2. Runs scored versus runs against in the direct competition between the teams in question.
   3. Total runs scored versus total runs against for the entire season.
       
7. After 6:00 PM, the umpire will determine if the game is to be played or is to continue. If a game is called after four full innings of play the score will revert back to the last inning completed and be considered a complete game.
   
   If games are postponed due to weather, the department will update Rec Line. Please do not call the Parks and Recreation Office. After 2:00 PM players may call the Parks and Recreation Rec- Line, 433-3434, category 4.
    
8. Official ASA 12" Slow Pitch Rules will be followed. The following shall be observed:
    
   1. 10 run rule after five innings, 15 after four, 20 after five
   2. Umpires will keep official score. Home team will keep official book, but visitors must also keep book to avoid any discrepancies.
   3. One umpire per game.
   4. Each team must have two males and two females in the outfield, two males and two females in the infield and one male/one female in the pitcher/catcher positions.
   5. The batting order for Co-ed Softball shall alternate sexes.
   6. On a walk to a male batter (intentional or not), he will automatically go to second base, other runners will also advance. Female must then take her turn at bat. Exception: 2 outs female has a choice of hitting or walking.
   7. Batter begins with 0-1 count. Ball/strike mat will be used.
   8. Foul tip caught on third strike is an out
   9. No metal spikes may be worn.
   10. 12" ball used for all batters.
   11. All plays at home plate may be force-outs, with defensive player needing only to step on plate, not tag runner, however, tags may still be used to put runner out. (Home plate is now similar to first base in methods for put-out). A chalk line will be located twenty feet from home plate, once runner crosses line on his way to home plate he may not return to third base.
   12. Home Run Limit: 3 per team, after that it is an automatic out.
   13. No Stealing (This league will not observe the ASA rule)
        
9. Time limit is 60 minutes. No inning will begin after time limit; inning underway will be played to its completion. If game is tied after completion of inning it will remain a tie in league standings.
   
   The 9:00 game will also follow time limit stipulation with no inning starting after 60 minutes.
    
10. Managers are responsible for the conduct of their players. This league is being operated as a recreational activity. Everyone should do his utmost to avoid accidents. Most serious accidents often occur as the result of illegally blocking the base path, and from carelessness or horseplay.
     
11. All players are encouraged to have some type of accident insurance coverage. The department or the Town of Normal are not responsible for accidents. Local insurance agents have team insurance coverage.
     
12. All protests must give complete information as to circumstances regarding the protest so as to facilitate an early decision. The manager of the offended team must notify the umpire at once that the balance of the game is being played under protest. The umpire will then mark the scorebook and sign it, showing the balance of the game is being played under protest. In addition, the manager of the offended team will deposit with the umpire a $10.00 protest fee at the time of protest. The protest must then be presented in writing to the recreation office within 24 hours after the game in question. The entire $10.00 will be returned if the protest is allowed; if not the entire deposit will go into the trophy fund. In the event that a game is continued under protest and the $10.00 fee paid to the umpire, but the written protest is not turned in to the Recreation Office within 24 hours, the $10.00 protest will be forfeited to the trophy fund. All protests concerning rules will be acted upon by the Sports and Athletics Supervisor and that decision will be final.
     
13. Players must be 18 as of September 1, 2008 and/or out of high school.
     
14. Players may switch from one team to another only after they have obtained written consent of all managers from within their division.
     
15. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on city property. Persons may not play while under the influence of alcohol. Violators are subject to prosecution. If alcoholic beverages are consumed by players during the game, play will stop and game will result in forfeiture.
     
16. A player or manager guilty of flagrant acts of poor sportsmanship or profane language are subject to immediate suspension from further league play.
     
17. The eligibility rules will be left to the manager's discretion, and are subject to being checked at any time by the recreation office or on the written request of a manager.
     
18. Respect the decision of the umpire at all times. Umpires have the authority to remove anyone from a game or for the remainder of the year.
     
19. Trophies awarded to top two teams in each division.
     
20. Metal spikes will not be allowed to be worn.
     
21. Teams participating in the 2008 Fall League will have priority for the 2009 Fall League Season.

This page last modified 07/07/08.