Hoboken Softball Official Rules – 2010 Season

1.00 – WEATHER
1.01
(a) Go to the Weather Alert box at www.hobokencoedsoftball.org or our Facebook group.

1.02
(a) The League Office will post rainout information 1.5 - 2.0 hours before the start of the
game. Captains will be responsible for notifying their players by phone, email or text
message, to the best of their ability.

(b) If no notification from the league office is given, as per Rule 1.02(a), teams should
assume the game is on and proceed to the field. If field conditions are determined by the
Umpire to be playable any team without the minimum number of players to field a team will
forfeit as per Rule 13.02.

(c) At game start time, if weather is in the area, which at the umpire’s discretion makes the
field unplayable or dangerous, the game will be suspended.

(d) If lightning is in the area of the field, the umpire will suspend the game immediately.

(e) At the field, it is the umpire’s discretion to resume or cancel the game due to weather.
Prior to arriving at the field the captains of each team along with the league office are
responsible for deciding on a rainout.

2.00 – RAINOUT / TIME EXPIRATION DURING A GAME

2.01
(a) The score will revert to the last full inning played if the game is stopped for any reason
prior to completion of an inning and cannot be completed.

(b) If a rainout occurs while a game is in progress, 4 innings must be completed for the
game to count. (If the home team is ahead after the completion of the top of the 4th, this
situation constitutes a complete game).

(c) Games must be completed by 10pm (10:30pm in Bayonne). No inning may start after
10pm (10:30pm in Bayonne). The umpire's clock is the game clock. No minimum number
of innings for a complete game if the time limit has been satisfied.

2.02
(a) All games suspended prior completion of 4-1/2 innings will be rescheduled or continued
(if possible).

(b) If 4-1/2 innings have been completed, the game will count.

(c) If a makeup is not possible, the score at the end of the last completed inning will stand.

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 1

 3.00 – RAINOUT MAKE-UP DATES
3.01
(a) Your team may be scheduled to play more than one game a week, depending on the
number of rainouts.

(b) If the league experiences excessive rainouts during the season, there is a chance that
your team will not be able to reschedule all of your make-up games. We sincerely hope
that this does not happen, but please acknowledge the possibility.

4.00 – MERCY RULE

4.01
(a) A 12 run mercy rule will be enforced after 4-1/2 innings with the trailing team batting a
minimum of 5 innings (includes regular season and playoff games).

(b) All games shall be 7 innings. However, any team ahead by 12 runs at the end of 5
innings (4 1/2 if the home team is ahead) shall be the winner.

5.00 – TIE RULE

5.01
(a) If a game is tied after seven innings, time permitting, the teams will play one (1)
additional (8th) inning to break the tie, at the umpire’s discretion.

(b) If time expires and game is tied, the game stands as a tie. However, if you continue to
play and the lights go out, or you are asked to leave by the City, please revert back to the
score at the end of the last completed inning.

(c) After the 8th Inning, if the score is tied, the game will remain tied. No 9th inning will be
played.

6.00 – SOFTBALL EQUIPMENT

6.01
(a) Each Team Captain will be supplied with a Startup Equipment Kit consisting of: 1 bat, 1
catcher's mask, 1 scorebook, 1 equipment bag, 1 first aid kit, 1 batting helmet and lineup
cards.

(b) If any of the equipment is lost or damaged, it is up to the Team Captain to collect funds
from his/her team’s players and purchase replacement equipment before the next game. If
first aid kit is depleted or lost, the captain must notify the league office for replacement
items.

(c) Only 12-inch DeBeers Clincher softballs can be used. The league will supply these
softballs.

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(6.01 continued)
(d) Each player is responsible for his/her own gloves, etc.

(e) Catchers MUST wear the mask at all times behind the plate.

(f) The catcher is responsible for clearing home plate/batters box of any bats during play, if
possible.

(g) The Home Team must supply 3 league regulation softballs (in playable condition) per
game. The Umpire is responsible for inspecting balls to determine if they are playable.
Please notify the League Office if you are low on softballs.

6.02
(a) The most recent ASA Bat Rules apply; bats outlawed by the ASA are not allowed.

(b) Please reference the approved and non-approved ASA bat list on the Yahoo Group
page. Ignorance is not an excuse for having a non-approved bat.

(c) Umpire has the right to inspect all bats at any time and for any reason to determine
compliance or bat modification or doctoring.

(d) Any team caught using a non-approved bat will result in an out recorded for the plate
appearance. Repeated use of non-approved bats during a game will result in forfeit.

7.00 – SOFTBALL RULES

7.01
(a) The league follows the 2010 ASA Rules of Slow Pitch Softball, with the exception of
specific league rules contained in this document.

(1) Only captains can discuss a rule with the umpire and no judgment calls will be
discussed. If a captain is not present, then the team must notify the umpire of the
acting captain before start of game.

(2) Prior to the start of the game, the Umpire will meet with the Captains (or acting
captain) of each team to review and ground rules.

(3) A player can play for only one team within the league each year, except under
the auspices of Rule 8.02(f).

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 8.00 – ROSTER SIZE & ROSTER ADD/DROP
8.01
(a) Each team is required to have a minimum of seventeen (17) players, but a maximum of
twenty (20) players on their roster at a time. League insurance limits team rosters to a
maximum of 20 players. Before the start of the season, each team captain must submit
insurance waiver and a list of each team members' name, gender, email and phone
number to the league.

(b) Any team caught playing someone not officially on the team's roster or without a signed
waiver will have that contested game forfeited and any previously decided games which
included the player in question or any other players not on the roster will be forfeited.

8.02
(a) If a team member is no longer interested in playing, notification must be sent to the
league office by email from both the Team Captain AND the player(s) in question.

(b) If either party notifies the league office about dropping a player, the league office will
send a notice of confirmation to the player being dropped or Team Captain affected.

(c) The player or Captain has 7 calendar days from the time stamp of the league's email to
confirm their removal from the team.

(d) Once confirmed, that player will be dropped. Notice of confirmation from the league
office will be sent to both captain and player dropped.

(e) After the 7 calendar days, if there is no response to the league's confirmation email, the
league will accept, by default, the player being dropped from the team's roster.

(f) During a probationary period (the first 1–3 completed games of a team), any player
dropped, may be picked by any OTHER team in the league. However, after this
probationary period, once a player has been dropped from the team, that player cannot be
added back to the roster of ANY team in the league during the 2010 season.

(g) There will be NO REFUNDS given of league or team fees to players being dropped
after the probationary period for any reason.

8.03
(a) If there are legal open roster spots on a team, then the team captain may add players
to fill those spots. If roster is at maximum, teams must follow Rule 8.02 to be allowed to
add players.

(b) The player or players will not be responsible for any league fees. Team captains
cannot charge new players any fee and have it classified as a "league" fee. Team
captains may charge a new player individual "team" fees for items such as jerseys or a fee
may be charged if the new player is replacing a player dropped who was on “probation”
and the new player needs to make the team “whole” financially.

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(8.03 continued)
(c) Players who have been on the roster of any other team in this league, except per Rule
8.02(f), during the current season are not eligible to be roster additions.

(d) No changes to a roster may be made after the last regular season game has been
completed. This includes games in the first and second halves.

(e) Once a team has a confirmed open spot and has submitted the new players' details to
the league office (name, gender, email, phone) that player will be eligible to play in league
games. Players not properly reported to the league office are subject to enforcement of
Rule 8.01(b).

9.00 – NUMBER OF PLAYERS IN THE BATTING ORDER / LINE-UP

9.01
(a) All players present at the field, ready to play, able-bodied with proper footwear must be
placed in their respective team’s Batting Order. No dressed player can “opt-out” of the
lineup unless they have an injury approved by the umpire.

(b) No more than 3 men can bat in a row, however, less men in a row is acceptable.

(c) Approved Line-up cards must be filled out prior to first pitch and provided to the
opposing team captain and the home plate umpire.

(d) Teams may add players arriving late to games into the line-up in the last position of the
batting order at any time during the game.

(e) The umpire and opposing team captain must be notified of any legal changes to the
batting order.

(f) A team may have to bat one or more woman players multiple times in order to maintain
Rule 9.01(b). The same woman is not required to bat each time the extra spot comes up.
A player cannot be taken off base to bat. If there is no eligible woman player on the bench
to bat, an out must be taken.

(g) Every eligible player present in the batting order must have his or her name written on
the lineup card. Extra batters needed to conform to 9.01(b), may be listed as generic (girl,
etc.). However, generic-batting positions must occur after all formally named female
members.

9.02
(a) In order to play in the field, a player must be in the batting order.

(b) A player may be in the batting order and not play in the field.

(c) While in the batting order, a player may enter, leave, or re-enter the fielding team (free
substitution of defensive players).

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9.03
(a) No player may be dropped from the batting order, absent extenuating circumstances
such as serious injury, as determined by the umpire. (Gaining a tactical advantage is not
an exigent circumstance.)

(b) If an injury occurs and a player cannot bat, with approval of the umpire, the next batter
"moves up" to bat with no penalty except during an occurrence where Rule 10.00 comes
into effect (see Rule 10.03).

(1) If an injury occurs to a female player, which causes a team to be in violation of

Rule 9.01(b), then a female may replace the injured player in the lineup as per
Rule 9.01(f).

(2) The replacement female player must be the last female player that batted who
is not on base.

(c) Without an umpire approved injury excuse, any player who is not available to bat at its
spot in the batting order will receive an automatic out.

9.04
(a) Each team is responsible for keeping their scorebook and making sure outs and runs
are recorded properly.

10.00 – LINEUP DIFFERENTIAL/EXTRA BATTERS RULE

10.01
(a) If ONE team submits a lineup of 12 or less batting positions, the deficient team will be
required to revise their lineup to include extra batting positions in the lineup. Acceptable
extra batting positions include automatic outs or extra batters per 9.01(f).

(b) Placement of extra batters is at the discretion of the deficient team’s captain.

(c) If the differential between the two team’s batting positions is THREE (3) OR MORE
then the number of Extra Batters added must bring the deficient team to a minimum of 13
Batting Positions

Example 1: Team A has 10 batting positions; Team B has 15 batting positions; Differential
is five (5), therefore Team A must place THREE Extra Batters in their lineup to achieve 13
batting positions.

Example 2: Team A has 11 batting positions; Team B has 15 batting positions; Differential
is four (4), therefore Team A must place TWO Extra Batters in their lineup to achieve 13
batting positions.

Example 3: Team A has 12 batting positions; Team B has 17 batting positions; Differential
is five (5), therefore Team A must place ONE (1) Extra Batter in their lineup to achieve 13
batting positions.

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(10.01 continued)
Example 4: Team A has 12 batting positions; Team B has 14 batting positions; Differential
is two (2), Team A would not need to add Extra batters.

(d) By default, all extra batters added to the lineup MUST be females, unless the team has
a greater number of Female PLAYERS over Male PLAYERS, then males can be used,
however, there cannot be a GREATER number of Male Batting Positions over Female
Batting Positions.

(e) Batting spots in a lineup with extra batters shall be identified in the line card as “extra
batter” along with the gender.

10.02
(a) If a deficient team has a late arriving player, they could do either of the following:

1) The late arriving player can be placed at the end of the lineup as per Rule
9.01(d).

OR

2) The late arriving player is placed in the most recent BATTED “Extra Batter”
spot of the same gender unless it puts the team in violation of Rule 9.01(b), then
they must use Option 1 of Rule 10.02(a). (The late arriving player cannot be
placed on the base paths).

10.03
(a) If an umpire approves an injury where Rule 10.01 comes into effect; it will nullify Rule
9.03(b) and the injured player’s spot will have to be filled with an Extra Batter

11.00 – RE-ENTRY RULE

11.01
(a) Any player may withdraw and re-enter the game, provided the player occupies the
same batting position whenever he/she is in the line-up.

(b) If the withdrawn player misses their turn at bat, an out will be recorded for the at bat. An
extra batter cannot be used, only an out is acceptable.

12.00 – BATTING OUT OF ORDER

12.01
(a) If a player bats out of order and the error is discovered while the incorrect batter is
hitting, then the correct batter will assume the ball/strike count of the incorrect batter.

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(12.01 continued)
(b) If the incorrect batter reaches base safely and the error is discovered, the correct batter
will be called out. All runners will return to their original base and the incorrect batter will
return to the bench.

(c) The opposing team captain must make the umpire aware of "batting out of order"
before a pitch is thrown to the next batter. If not, then the incorrect batter will stay on base.

(d) If a “batting out of order” occurs and is not caught by the umpire or the opposing team,
as per Rule12.01(c), the offending team must still bat according to their original lineup and
not to the “out of order” lineup the next batting cycle.

13.00 – NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON THE FIELD

13.01
(a) Maximum number of players in the field is 10.

(b) A maximum of 7 men and a minimum of 2 women are allowed on the field at one time,
however, 3 or more women are allowed, as well as, less than 7 men.

(c) A team must have a minimum number of eight (8) individual players in the field.

(d) There are no position requirements of any players, (i.e., there need not be 2 females in
outfield and 1 in the infield).

(e) There is no maximum number of women allowed on the field/in your line-up.

(f) If a player arrives late and after the player has been placed at the end of the batting
lineup, you are allowed to place that player in the field, if your team is not batting. Please
make sure any batting changes are communicated as per Rule 9.01(e).

13.02
(a) If a team has less than the minimum required number of players it is up to the opposing
team as to what is allowable (i.e., the opposing team may give a team a player or allow
them to pick up another league player). If this is not possible, the game will be ruled a
forfeit. Non-league members are strictly forbidden to play.

14.00 – FIELD POSITION CHANGES

14.01
(a) Players may move freely from one field position to another at any time, however, the
batting order must stay the same.

(b) Field substitutions can be made off the bench as long as that player is in the Batting
Order.

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 15.00 – SUBSTITUTIONS
15.01
(a) A SUBSTITUTION is defined as a LEGAL Batting Order change (see Rules 9.00 &
10.00).

(b) Teams must report ALL SUBSTITUTIONS and PLAYERS RE-ENTERING the game,
as per Rule 9.01(e).

16.00 – PITCH ARC / PITCHERS MOUND / PITCHING

16.01
(a) The arc on pitches must be between six feet and twelve feet above the ground.

(b) The umpire will call a pitch not within the prescribed arc limits as "illegal pitch" as soon
as possible, which is an automatic “ball” call.

(c) The batter may swing at a called illegal pitch, however, the pitch shall be treated as
though it were thrown within the legal limits.

(d) The umpire's call on a pitch is absolutely final!

16.02
(a) Pitchers must pitch from the rubber furthest from home plate.

(b) Pitchers must keep one foot at all times on the rubber during the pitchers
motion/windup.

(c) Pitchers must maintain contact with the rubber until the ball has left their pitching hand.

(d) First violation of Rule 16.02 by the pitcher will result in an “illegal pitch” with a warning
issued by the umpire.

16.03
(a) Pitchers’ hold, set and release is not limited as long as Rules 16.01 & 16.02 are
maintained.

17.00 – AT-BAT
17.01
(a) All batters will start with a count of 1 (one) ball and 1 (one) strike.

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 9

 18.00 – STRIKE ZONE
18.01
(a) The strike zone is that space over any part of home plate when s/he assumes a natural
batting stance, between the batter's back shoulder and front knee when the batter is lined
up with home plate.

19.00 – FOUL BALLS

19.01
(a) A foul ball will count as Strike 2, but not Strike 3 unless caught by the catcher.

(b) A foul ball above the batter's head may be caught for an out.

(c) Three (3) fouls and you are out.

20.00 – WALK TO MALE BATTER

20.01
(a) Any walk issued to a male batter with a female batter behind him will result in a two
base award regardless of situation, including if it forces in a run.

(b) The female player will still bat.

21.00 – COURTESY RUNNERS

21.01
(a) Injured players may receive a courtesy runner once they reach a base.

(b) Courtesy runners must be the last player of the same gender to make an out in the
game. (A female must replace a female and a male must replace a male).

(c) Umpire must be notified before the game of any players that may require Courtesy
Runners. Players that require a Courtesy Runner due to an injury after the game has
started will not be penalized for failure to notify the Umpire prior to the game.

22.00 – NO LEADING / NO STEALING

22.01
(a) Runners can only leave the base once the bat makes contact with the ball.

(b) A runner leaving the base early, umpire will assess infraction and rule appropriately.

(c) If Rule 22.01(b) is invoked and this is the 3rd out of the inning the batter will be first up
in the next inning.

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 10

(22.01 continued)
(d) If the batter does not swing and the runner is still off the base (leading), a force
situation is in play until the runner returns to the base.

23.00 – OVERTHROWS / OUT OF PLAY

23.01
(a) If a fielded ball is thrown out of play, runners are awarded two bases (the base he/she
is going to at the point of the throw plus one more).

(b) Direction of runner has no bearing on the award of Rule 23.01(a).

(c) When a base runner runs past first base, the player must make a clearly aggressive
turn towards second base to be granted 2nd and 3rd in overthrow situations. Otherwise,
the runner will advance only one base to 2nd base.

(d) All thrown balls are deemed out of play when the ball is thrown in the area defined as
“out of play” by the umpire (which includes, but not limited to the dugout area, etc.).

(e) Out of Play areas apply to overthrows, as well as, caught fly foul balls.

(f) An overthrown ball which according to the field rules and as specified by the umpire, is
NOT considered out of play and the runner may advance, BUT at their own risk.

24.00 – INFIELD FLY RULE

24.01
(a) An Infield Fly is defined as any fly ball within the infield with significant arc and deemed
an "easy catch" by the umpire.

(b) When an umpire calls an Infield Fly with less than 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd or
1st, 2nd and 3rd, the batter is automatically out and runners can advance, at their own risk.

25.00 – GROUND RULE DOUBLES / HOME RUNS

25.01
(a) A ball hit over the fence/wall is considered a ground rule double or home run,
depending on the field and the ground rules established by the umpire at the game.

(b) The umpire(s) has/have full jurisdiction in determining if a ball is a ground rule double
or a home run.

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 11

 26.00 – RETRIEVAL OF SOFTBALLS
26.01
(a) The team hitting the ball over the fence/wall is responsible for retrieving the ball
IMMEDIATELY and getting it back into play. This applies to foul balls, as well as, home
runs and ground rule doubles.

27.00 – INTERFERENCE
27.01
(a) Interference can be physical contact, verbal distraction, or any other type of distraction
that would hinder the fielder or base runner in the execution of a play.

(b) When a runner interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball or interferes with
a throw, the runner is out.

(c) If the runner interferes with a fielder during a POSSIBLE double play and the runner did
not slide or get out of the way, the immediate succeeding runner shall also be called out.
Umpire has the discretion to determine double play possibility.

(d) Fielders may not block the base paths. If interference occurs, the umpire can award the
runner the next base.

28.00 – RUNNING THE BASES / SLIDING

28.01
(a) If there is a play at any base, it is the runner's responsibility to avoid contact (SLIDE
AND AVOID) with the defensive player.

(b) The umpire has discretion to decide whether the runner initiated contact and should be
called out.

(c) Sliding is not required, however, it is encouraged.

(d) All plays must involve the batter/running attempting to reach base and the defensive
player must be attempting to catch the ball.

(e) If there is no play, the defensive player cannot block a base.

(f) Any excessive contact or collision will result in an "out" and/or ejection. This includes
contact with the catcher.

(g) If the runner does not slide and makes contact with the opposing fielder, at the umpire’s
discretion, they will be called out.

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 12

28.02
(a) Fake tags and barreling will result in immediate ejection from the game and will not be
tolerated. Barreling will result in an out.

(b) The runner will be awarded 2 bases from the base where the fake tag was made and
may force in a run.

28.03
(a) Warnings will be issued, followed by a called out or ejection from the game by the
umpire, if necessary.

(b) Collisions are to be avoided as much as possible.

29.00 – TAG RULE

29.01
(a) Where a force out does not apply, a tag must be applied to the batter/runner (including
any plays at home plate).

30.00 – BASERUNNING/CONTACT
30.01
(a) At all bases, the umpire will make decision as to whether a player has purposely not
avoided contact. Umpire has the authority to throw out a player based on his opinion of
the play. An Umpire’s opinion is not subject to review.

31.00 – SPORTSMANSHIP
31.01
(a) The league is a fun-focused, social sports club.

(b) Our goal is for you to have fun.

(c) We hope that you keep this in mind when participating. Although the games may
become intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship.

(d) Any behavior deemed unacceptable by the umpire or commissioner may result in
suspension and/or ejection from game(s) including expulsion from the league (with no
refunds). This includes (but not limited to) verbal abuse, threats, physical abuse, or any
inappropriate behavior, etc. The commissioner has unilateral discretion in this regard and
their decision is final.

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 13

 32.00 – SUSPENSIONS/EJECTIONS
32.01
(a) The Umpire may eject a player from the game for any of the following reasons:

(1) Any player wearing metal spikes.

(2) Any excessive contact or collision.

(3) Any defensive player initiating a FAKE TAG (initiating a tag without possession
of the ball) will result in an ejection of that player. A misplayed ball (tip off the
glove, dropped, etc.) that results in non-possession of the ball is not
considered a fake tag.

(4) Any base runner “barreling” into defensive player.

(5) Aggressive bat throwing by batter.

(6) Any player physically or verbally abusing the umpire(s), players (fellow or
opposing) or spectators will automatically be ejected from the game without a
warning.

(b) A player may be suspended from the league indefinitely when:

(1) Any player committing second offense(s) of Rule 32.01(a)(1) through (6).

(2) Any player(s)/team(s) that are involved in a fight.

(c) Any teams that are suspended will have their games forfeited during their suspension.

32.02
(a) A player ejected from a game for ANY reason will be suspended for their NEXT game.

(b) A suspended player caught playing during their suspended game, will result in a team
forfeit.

(c) Opposing team captains cannot absolve suspended player from Rule 32.02(b).

(d) The league office must be notified of all ejections that result in suspension by the
game’s captains to be verified by the umpire.

33.00 – THROWING BATS

33.01
(a) Players carelessly throwing bats after hitting the ball will be warned once.

(b) Players will be called out for any second offenses.

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 14

33.02
(a) Any player who aggressively throws a bat where an injury could occur, as determined
by the umpire, can be ejected from the game without a warning. See Rule 32.01(a)(5).

34.00 – SPONSORSHIPS
34.01
(a) Sponsors for individual teams are not required.

(b) The league does not provide sponsors.

35.00 – BEER / ALCOHOL / CLEAN-UP

35.01
(a) Alcoholic Beverages (including, but not limited to beer, wine, spirits) are not allowed
on/at the field by City of Jersey City and City of Bayonne Municipal Law.

(b) Please wait until after the games to partake in alcoholic beverages according to local
law.

(c) Violation of Rule 35.01(a) will result in a team being suspended by the league.

35.02
(a) Clean all dugouts before leaving the field. Use trash bins provided by the city.

(b) Any team not cleaning dugouts will be suspended.

35.03
(a) Our permit is our license to operate and if we violate our host cities’ municipal law and
ordinances or we do not clean up after ourselves, we will lose out permit. Without a
permit, we have no league. Please keep this in mind.

36.00 – TIE BREAKERS FOR PLAYOFFS/SEEDINGS

36.01
(a) Tie Breakers for playoffs seeds will be as follows:

(1) Winning percentage.

(2) Head-to-head competition.

(3) Intra-Division Record

(4) Inter-Division Record

(5) Record against next best common opponent based on combined standings.

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 15

(36.01(a) continued)

(6) The team with the most forfeits loses the tiebreaker, if the other tiebreaker rules
don't resolve the seeding.

(7) Coin Flip.

36.02
(a) In a two-division format, the division winner from each division will hold either the #1 or
#2 seeds based on Rule 36.01 tiebreakers between the two.

(b) The remaining teams will be sorted #3 through #10 regardless of division; tiebreakers
based on Rule 36.01.

37.00 – HOME FIELD IN PLAYOFFS/TOURNAMENT

37.01
(a) In playoff tournament games, the team with the HIGHER seed will be the HOME team.

(b) Rule 37.02 only applies in Double Elimination Tournaments.

37.02
(a) In Championship Game 1, Rule 37.01(a) does not apply and the team from the
Winner’s Bracket will be the home team regardless of original seeding.

(b) If there is a Championship Game 2, Rule 37.01(a) will be in effect.

38.00 – CHAMPION DETERMINATION / SEASON TRUNCATION

38.01
(a) If a single season is played then champion will be determined by double elimination
tournament. Season Truncation will follow Rule 38.03.

(b) If the season is played in two halves, then two single elimination tournaments will be
played at the conclusion of each half of season. Season Truncation will follow Rule 38.04.

(c) If the winner of both tournaments is the same, season is over.

(d) If there are two different winners; there will be 1 of the 3 scenarios below based on
permit situation;
1) 3 game playoff series between both tourney (first half and second half) winners
2) 1 game playoff between both tourney (first half and second half) winners
3) CO-Winners for 2010 and First Half Champ and a Second Half Champ

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 16

38.02
(a) Tournament seeds follow Rule 36.00.

(b) If one single season is played where a double elimination 8 seed tournament is played,
Seeds 7, 8, 9 and 10 will have a single elimination “mini” tournament with the lower
surviving seed playing the #1 Seed and the higher surviving seed playing the #2 Seed in
the double elimination tournament.

(c) If two halves of season are played with 2 single elimination tournaments after each half,
Seeds 7, 8, 9 and 10 will have a single elimination “mini” tournament with the lower
surviving seed playing the #1 Seed and the higher surviving seed playing the #2 Seed in
the single elimination tournament.

38.03
(a) If the regular season is truncated due to permit issues the team that holds the #1 seed,
as per Rule 36.01(a), will be league champion.

(b) If the playoff tournament is truncated, the team with the best winning percentage AND
has not been eliminated from the tournament will be declared the winner. Winning
percentage is calculated from Regular Season AND Playoff Tournament games.
Tiebreakers for this scenario will follow Rule 36.01(a).

38.04
(a) If the regular season is truncated in the first half due to permit issues the team that
holds the #1 seed, as per Rule 36.01(a), will be league champion

(b) If the first playoff tournament is truncated, the team with the best winning percentage
AND has not been eliminated from the tournament will be declared the winner. Winning
percentage is calculated from Regular Season AND Playoff Tournament games.
Tiebreakers for this scenario will follow Rule 36.01(a).

(c) If the regular season or second playoff tournament is truncated in the second half due
to permit issues the team that won the first half tournament or by Rule 38.01(b) will be
league champion

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 17

 39.00 – TEAM KNOWLEDGE OF RULES
39.01
(a) Captains are responsible for making these rules and other rules known to their team
members and may not be reminded during games.

(b) If a rule is unclear please clarify with league office.

(c) If league office clarification was not provided, please discuss with the umpire before the
game and opposing captain.

(d) The Umpire will interpret the rules before and if necessary, during the game and has
final say during the game.

40.00 – SCORES AND RESULTS

40.01
(a) Umpire will confirm score with the captains between each half-inning. Any
discrepancies should be resolved before play continues.
40.02
(a) After the game has ended, captains are responsible for providing the league office with
the final score with innings played (Full 7 innings, 6.5 innings, etc.) ASAP.

41.00 – PROTESTS / RULE CHANGES

41.01
(a) Any protests must be submitted in writing to the league office.

(b) Umpire judgment calls are NOT eligible for review

(c) If the commissioner feels that the protest has merit he will discuss with other team
captains and rule to the best of their ability.

41.02
(a) Rule changes or new rule proposals during the season are discouraged unless a rule
proves to be unworkable by a majority of the team captains. Commissioner breaks ties. If
commissioner recuses him/herself from the vote, a tie will result in defeat of the measure.

(b) Umpires can be consulted, but have no vote.

2010 Rules – April 11, 2010 Revision 18