H.C.S.S.L. - HOUSTON'S 50 PLUS SOFTBALL LEAGUE: General Information

1. 5:00 PM: The fields are chalked by two members of the first games home team.

2.  5:30 PM: Pre game practice begins at 5:30 and ends at precisely 6:20. No exceptions. Players arriving for practice will sign in on the marker board located at the home dugout and will bat in the order of signup/arrival.

3. 6:20 PM:

A) The managers pickup any needed substitute players and take their positions in time to begin play at 6:30.

B) The assigned Scorekeepers will arrive in the scorekeeper box no later than 6:25 and set the clock to 55 minutes. Two members of the middle games 'home team' keep score for the first game. Laminated scoreboard directions are next to the scoring console.

4. 6:30 PM: Game times are 6:30, 7:40 and 8:50. The game clock for the first game starts at precisely 6:30, No exceptions.

5. 7:35 PM - Middle Game Scorekeepers: Two members of the late games 'visitors team' keep score for the middle game.

6. 8:45 PM - Late Game Scorekeepers: Two members of the middle games 'visitors team' keep score for the late game. 

7. 9:55 PM - Closing the field: The last games 'home team' must: (A) Pick up bases; (B) Put away all equipment; (C) return used balls to equipment room (D) both teams cleans out its own dugout (E) turnout lights; (F) Lock up field. 

8. The Constable begins locking his three parks at 10:00 PM so the promptness of the above game times are essential.

* For additional details see the rules for your specific division located in the [Rules] area of this website.

   Fact: Knowledge of the game rules helps reduce errors and improve scores.

            Summer and Winter seasons: 

Each year is broken into two seasons, a Summer season and a Winter season.

           Summer season:

New members should attend the February tryouts to have their individual skill level evaluated. For liability reasons the accident waiver on the signup application must be signed and turned in prior to tryout participation and prior to entering the fields for any reason.

Before the Summer season the Managers hold a draft and eligible players are selected by the managers. Prior to the draft, two Saturdays are set aside for tryouts for new league members. 

In the Summer season the League is divided by skill and ability into four Divisions.

The Summer season usually runs from April through September. After the regular season the annual summer play-offs are held, with all teams participating in a double elimination format.

Our league presently consists of four (4) divisions and 28 teams. Team members are selected by a team managerial draft. Divisions are based on skill level, and consists of both men and women. Players age range from 50 to 90+.

The divisions are named:
United: 6 teams       - Most Skilled
American: 7 teams   - 2nd Most Skilled
Continental: 7teams - 3rd Most Skilled
National: 6 teams    - 4th Most Skilled

The United and National Divisions play on Monday and Wednesday nights. The American and Continental Divisions play on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Three (3) games are scheduled on each field. Game times are scheduled to start at approximately 6:30 P.M., 7:40PM and 8:50PM.

Each Saturday morning, batting and fielding practices are held at one of the fields. Practice usually runs from 9:30 until 11:30 A. M. If you are 49 and will be 50 during the coming season, you are eligible to play (in the year you will turn 50).

         Winter season:

In the Winter season the League is divided by skill and ability into three or four Divisions, dependent upon participation level.

The Winter season usually runs from early November until the middle of March. Members are selected for teams using computer ratings. The ratings are compiled after each season through evaluations by Managers and selected players from each Division. After the computer selects the teams, the teams are further evaluated by Board members, to be sure there is an even distribution of pitchers, infielders and outfielders. 

 See this websites registration forms in the "Registration" area of the "Handouts..." button on the website home page.