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RULES AND REGULATIONS - KINGSTON MEN’S FASTBALL LEAGUE March  2008 The Rules of this League are governed by the 2008 Softball Canada Official Guide and Rule Book.Certain Rules have been changed and or amended to suit the needs of this League. 

RULE 1           PITCHING    -    Softball Ontario – 2008 

Sec. 1.1 PRELIMINARIES. Before commencing the delivery (pitch), the pitcher: 

1.1.1     May not take the pitching position on or near the pitcher's plate without having the ball in his possession.

1.1.2     Shall not be considered in the pitching position unless the catcher is in position to receive the pitch.

1.1.3     Must have both feet on the ground within the 61.0 cm (24 inch) length of the pitcher's plate.  The hips shall be in line with first and third bases and both feet must be in contact with the pitcher's plate.

1.1.4     Must, while standing on the plate and with the ball in either the glove or the pitching hand, take the signal, or appear to be taking a signal, from the catcher with the hands separated.

1.1.5     Must, after taking the signal, bring his whole body to a full and complete stop with the ball held in the hand or glove with both held together in front of the body.  This position must be held for not less than one (1) second and not more than ten (10) seconds before releasing the ball. 

Sec. 1.2.           STARTING THE PITCH. 

The pitch starts when one hand is taken off the ball or the pitcher makes any motion that is part of his wind-up. 

Sec. 1.3.           LEGAL DELIVERY. 

1.3.1.    The pitcher must not make any motion to pitch without immediately delivering the ball to the batter.

1.3.2.    The pitcher must not use a pitching motion in which, after having the ball in both hands in the pitching position, he removes one hand from the ball, takes a backward and forward swing, and returns the ball to both hands in front of the body.

1.3.3.    The pitcher must not use a windup in which there is a stop, or reversal, of the forward motion.

1.3.4     The pitcher must not make two revolutions of the arm on the windmill pitch.  However, he may drop his arm to the side and to the rear before starting the windmill motion.  This allows the arm to pass the hip twice.

1.3.5.    The delivery must be an underhanded motion, with the hand below the hip and the wrist not farther from the body than the elbow.

1.3.6.    The release of the ball and follow through of the hand and wrist must be forward and past the straight-line position of the body.

1.3.7     Both feet must remain in contact with the pitching plate at all times prior to the forward step.

1.3.8     In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher may take one step with the leading, non-pivot foot simultaneous with the release of the ball.  The step must be forward toward the batter and within the 61.0 cm (24 inch) length of the pitcher's plate.  NOTE:            It is not a step if the pitcher slides his foot across the pitcher's plate, provided contact is maintained with the plate.  Lifting the pivot foot off the pitcher's plate and returning it to the plate, or in front of the plate, is an illegal act.  

1.3.9     The pivot foot must remain in contact with, or may push off and drag away from, the pitcher's plate prior to the stepping (non-pivot) foot touching the ground, provided that the toe of the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground.

1.3.10.  Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher's plate before the stepping (non-pivot) foot has left the plate is considered a “crow hop” and is illegal.

1.3.11.  The pitcher must not continue to wind up after releasing the ball.

1.3.12   the pitcher shall not deliberately drop, roll or bounce the ball in order to prevent the batter from hitting it.

1.3.13.  The pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball, or after the umpire indicates, "Play Ball."  1.3.14   The hand must be below the hip on wind up and delivery, (no side arm/slingshot delivery.)1.3.15   2 feet must be on the rubber to begin delivery. 

Sec. 1.4  Any infraction of the above is an ILLEGAL PITCH 

  1.4.1          The umpire shall give a delayed dead ball signal.

 1.4.2     If the illegal pitch is not hita)         An extra ball is awarded to the batter (first base if ball four), andb)         Runners are advanced one base.EXCEPTION:  If a runner legally advances on the illegal pitch (passed ball or wild throw by the catcher or a wild pitch), any extra bases obtained may be retained.

 1.4.3     If the illegal pitch is hit, the result of the play stands. 

1.4.5     When an illegal pitch hits the batter, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners are advanced one base.  No option is given.

1.4.6     NOTE:   An illegal pitch shall be called immediately when it becomes illegal. If called by the plate umpire, it shall be called in a voice so that the batter and catcher will hear it. The plate umpire will also give the delayed dead ball signal. If called by the base umpire, it shall be called so that the nearest fielder will hear it. The base umpire will also give the delayed dead ball signal. Failure of the players to hear the call shall not nullify the illegal pitch. 

 1.4.5            Pitching Distance is 46 feet from the back of home plate to the front of the pitching plate.
 

RULE 2.          PLAYERS

 2.1        A Team may bat all players in the lineup or the team may use the 9 player with unlimited substitutions format. Which ever system used must be declared to the umpire during the pre game meeting.

2.2        Any player arriving late may be added to the bottom of the lineup.

2.3        A player removed from the game, may not be allowed back into the game.

2.4        All players may be rotated in and out of the field, as long as they remain listed in the batting order.

2.5.1     A. team may replace an injured runner with another player without permission of the opposing team, provided the team with the injured runner has 9 or less players in the lineup.If the team has more than 9 players in the lineup, then the team may ask the opposing team for permission to have a runner for an injured player.

2.5.2     If the opposing team agrees, then the injured player may stay in the game. If the opposing team denies the request, then the team with the injured player may still put in a replacement runner. However in this case the injured player is removed from the game.

2.5.3     In any case, the runner must be replaced with the last person available in the batting order.

2.6        If a team does not have 8 or more players by 15 minutes after game time, the game will be forfeited.

2.7        If a team has at least 8 players, they may play the game.  However, when the 9^th player position is due to bat, an automatic OUT will be called.

2.7.1     If a team starts the game with 8 players, they may finish the game with 8 players. However if a player is ejected in this situation, the game is forfeit.

2.7.2     If a team starts the game with 9 players and a player is ejected, then the game if forfeit.

2.8       There will be NO lending / borrowing of players from other teams if you are short..

2.9        All players must sign in and out at Frontenac Institution. NO visitors are allowed at Frontenac.

2.10      The “Hurry Up” rule for catchers is optional during game play, NOT mandatory 

 RULE 3.          OFFICIAL GAME and SCHEDULE

 3.1.       Games will consist of 7 innings.

3.2        The winning team will be awarded 2 points.

3.3        If a score is tied after 7 innings or called by darkness (during the regular season); each team will be awarded 1 point.

3.4        Games may not be cancelled without a MINIMUM of 72 hours notice. Both teams must have been             contacted and explained the circumstances, and then an email will be sent to the Convenor from the          team canceling, with a CC to the opponents

3.5   Rained out games at Frontenac Institution (Mondays/Wednesdays) will necessitate the following game to be a “4 point game.”  Attempts will be made so that no team will play more than 1 four point game against one team over the season.

3.5.1     Rained out games will be made up ASAP in the schedule by the League President. 

 3.6      In the case of INCLEMENT WEATHER, the two team managers must call each other and decide TOGETHER whether the game on the day in question, is to be played.            If the game is cancelled, the HOME TEAM manager must call the League President and Umpire             Assignor  at least 1 hour before game time, two hours is preferred, to inform the umpires. If this does   not happen, then the HOME TEAM will be billed for the cost of the umpires.

RULE 4.          HOME TEAM/VISITING TEAM 

4.1        The Home team will be required to pick up the bases, and related field equipment and be responsible for turning the lights on and off for late games.

4.2        The Home team as indicated on the schedule is responsible for supplying the bases and lining the diamond. Failure to do so before the scheduled game start time will result in the game being defaulted.

4.2.1 The home team is responsible for the field equipment until turned over to the home team of the following game. If the second game is cancelled due to weather, forfeit, etc... It remains the home team’s responsibility to ensure the equipment is returned.

4.4        Double first base mandatory, included in league field equipment.

4.5        Each team must keep their own PROPER score and the score of the opposing team during the game. Every attempt must be made to keep the score books filled out properly, including  1^st and         last names of all players, results of plays, etc.

4.5.1     Each team will ensure the umpires sign their score sheets before turning them in.

4.5.2     Score sheets from BOTH teams will be left in the specified container with the bases for the        statistician to collect.

4.6        The Home team will supply at least one new official ball per game.  The official ball for the League is a Core .50 12 inch Leather Dynaflite.

4.7        The Visiting team will supply secondary balls.  Dynaflite balls must be used and  the condition of the ball must be acceptable for play and must be agreed upon by the Home team, and the umpire.

4.8        The WINNING team will e-mail in the scores to the League President and Statistician.  In the case of a TIE, the home team is responsible for calling

4.9        Each team will pay one umpire 

RULE 5.          FORFEITS 

5.1        All forfeit games will carry a score of 7 to 0.

5.2        The forfeiting team, whether home or away will pay for the umpires.

5.3        If a team forfeits more than 1 game per season, they will automatically lose their performance bond.  

RULE 6.          PLAYER ELIGIBILITY 

6.1        Team rosters will be handed in to League President by June 1.  Roster information must include players name and date of birth. If a roster is not submitted by June 1, the offending team’s games will be counted as a Forfeit until the roster is submitted.

6.3        Additional players may be added to your roster at anytime, just email the Convenor.

6.3.1     Game sheets will be compared with rosters after EVERY game. If a player is on a game sheet that is NOT on the roster for that team, the game will be forfeited

6.4        Players not playing in other leagues must play a minimum of 7 games to be eligible for post season             play.

6.5     Players playing in other leagues will be required to play at least two thirds (2/3) of their KMFL games prior to the end of the season. If player does not meet this requirement they are ineligible for playoffs.

6.6        Game sheets will be submitted after every game and checked by the League President. Players games played and status will be made available to the league teams upon request.

6.7    Any team caught falsifying game sheets will be dealt with as decided by the league executive and Discipline Committee. 

 RULE 7.          UNIFORMS and PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 

7.1        All teams must supply ball shirts of the same colour for their players, and they must be worn at all games.A certain amount of tolerance will be applied to this rule, however flagrant abuse of this, will not be tolerated.

7.2        Batting helmets must be worn at all times, while batting or running the bases.ONLY DOUBLE EAR FLAP HELMETS ARE ACCEPTABLE – BASEBALL STYLE BATTING HELMETS ARE NOT PERMITTED

7.3 The catcher must wear a protective helmet.7.4        Full metal cleats are allowed by all players  

RULE 8.          PLAYING RULES 

8.1        THE TEAM CAPTAIN (S) ARE THE ONLY INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE TO SPEAK TO THE UMPIRES. THE CAPTAIN (S) WILL IDENTIFY THEMSELVES TO THE UMPIRE, BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME. MAXIMUM OF 2 INDIVIDUALS.

8.1.1     Zero Tolerance for abuse of Umpires. The umpires will be instructed to eject any player disregarding this rule.

8.2.       Team Captains or Managers are to keep a copy of the constitution with themselves at each and every game. This will be used to resolve any differences or discrepancies.

8.3        No new inning is to start after one hour and forty  minutes.

8.3.1     Games may be played out provided there is no game following

8.3.2     Playoff games will not have a time limit

8.4        Before any major changes are made to the league rules, that could affect the leagues ability to survive, the league Convenor and/or the Executive must approve.

  RULE 9.          PLAYER CONDUCT 

9.1.1     A Player ejected from a game for foul language, bat throwing, intent to injure, unsportsmanlike conduct, or impairment, will be required to leave the ball diamond area.

9.1.2     The League Director, Executive, or Committee will not tolerate any abuse, verbal or other wise, towards any Umpire, Spectator, or Player. Players can be suspended for any of the above actions towards anyone else from the league, while at the ball field area.

9.1.3     Players will be ejected for any such offence.  All ejections will appear on the Score Sheet with an     explanation by the umpire as to what happened.

9.2        If a player is ejected, that player automatically receives a one game suspension for his first offence. A second offence will be an automatic and three games and a third offence will result in suspension for the remainder of the year and any post season play.  The Rules Committee and the Executive will determine the player’s eligibility for the following season.

9.2.1     BOTH teams must contact the Convenor ASAP if there is an ejection in their game, and give a report as to what happened. This is to be done by EMAIL only so there is a paper trail.

9.3        If a report is received from the umpires, and in the views of the umpires, the situation needs to be addressed further by the league (ie. intent to injure, physical abuse of officials), the player is automatically suspended until a disciplinary committee holds a meeting to deal with the situation.  A second such report will result in suspension for the remainder of the season and any post season play.  The Rules Committee and the Executive will determine the player’s eligibility for the following season.

9.4        No drugs, alcohol, or other impairing substance will be consumed at the diamond. Before or during the game.

9.5        Upon such occurrences, offenders are suspended for that game, if the offence occurs a second time, the team faces suspension.

9.6        If an Umpire deems that a player is impaired, that player will not be allowed to play, and will be ejected from the game. 

9.7        TEAM CONDUCTIn the event a team is not upholding the league rules or not representing our league through proper conduct, sportsmanship, etc...The team could be suspended or removed from the league. No money will be refunded.A full investigation into any allegations will be made by the Executive and the Rules Committee.

  RULE 10.        EXECUTIVE / GENERAL MEETINGS 

10.1      The General Executive will be made up of one representative from each team, or a designate.  Each member of the General Executive will have one vote.

10.2      The League Executive will be made up of   a Convenor, Assistant Convenor, and Treasurer

10.3      The Rules Committee will be made up of the General Executive plus the League Executive.

10.4      The Executive will not be paid for their duties, however, there will be an honorarium set aside   for all General Meetings for food and beverages. This amount will be discussed at the 1^st          meeting of the season and remain the same throughout the season.

10.5      Any team not having a representative at a general meeting will be fined $25 from their    performance  bond. Missing more than one meeting will be dealt with by the Discipline Committee 

 RULE 11         DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE 

11.1            All matters relating to discipline for any offence will be dealt with by the Discipline Committee

11.2            The committee will consist of one representative from each team in the league.

11.3            Teams are responsible for notifying the convenor of who this representative is.

11.4            The convenor will not be a member of this committee.

11.5            The convenor will gather all the facts, reports, etc... and arrange for the meeting of the committee.

11.6            The convenor will chair all meetings but will not have a say in the final decision.

11.7            The two teams involved will not be involved in the committee. Regardless of their roles in the situation.  

11.8             In the case of player being considered in eligible for play, then the offending team will not be involved.

11.9            In a situation that the convenor feels that the offending team or player would be better served in person, they will be given the opportunity to present their case in person to the discipline committee.

   RULE 12.        PLAY OFFS 

12.1 Format to be determined at a meeting mid season

12.2 The international tie breaker rule for play-offs will commence in the 8^th inning 

 RULE 13.        LEAGUE FEES 

13.1      League fees are $700.00.  This will include 18 new balls plus the umpire assigning fee.Teams are required to maintain  a $100.00 performance bond.

13.1.2   Teams will have $350 before 1 June, and the final $350 by 1 July

13.2      The performance bond is required for any new team or team that has had all or part of their bond orfeited to the league. This bond must be maintained at all times. Failure to maintain the bond may     result in suspension from league play