LEAGUE RULES (2009)

1. Divisions: The number of divisions will be based on the number of teams entered. Each team will play a 16-game schedule. (The following is based on one Women's division, one Co-Rec division, one Church division, and two Men's divisions.)

2. Eligibility: Team rosters should not exceed 25 players. No one will be permitted to play in more than two divisions within the same league. The second division you play in will be one step above or one step below the division you are in. The maximum number of players that may be duplicated on any team roster for the White, Blue and Gold mens' divisions is six. A team may have a maximum of eight players on their roster who also play in the division directly above. The limits of the teams a male may be a member of are: two Men's teams (not in the same division and not White- Gold), a Church League team, and a Co-Rec team. Females may play on a Women's League team, Church League team and a Co-Rec team.

No males are permitted to play on any Women's teams. No females are permitted to play on any Men's division teams. There will be no alternate batter rule for the Church League if women are participating. There will be no metal spikes worn in the Church League nor in Co-Rec.

No players will be permitted to play who have not reached the age of 16 by May 1, 2009. Players under the age of 18 must have a parental or legal guardian's signature on the roster!

Special Rules for Church and Co-Rec League:

• A team may "borrow" up to two team players from other teams' rosters as long as two conditions are met: 1) This arrangement is agreeable to both teams, and 2) The team that is borrowing had no more than eight starting defensive players to begin with. Who is borrowed is decided by the manager picking up the player. That player is then "a member" of the team that borrows. The person cannot return to the original team for that game. A team that borrows shall be required to bat all players. If a team that borrows has some of its original members show up late, they can be placed at the bottom of the line-up.
• The Batter-base runner going to first base on a hit ball cannot be forced out at first base from the initial throw by any of the outfielders. A team cannot score more than 10 runs per inning until after 6 complete innings. With less than 3 outs and 10 runs scored to end the inning, the next batter who would have batted that inning will become the first batter the next inning.

3. Player Registration: Each player must fill out a player registration form (roster). Rosters listing a team and its players will be kept on-site during games for scorers to check eligibility. By signing the roster, Church League players will be affirming they are either a member of, or have recently attended a regularly scheduled service of the church sponsoring the team they are playing for.

4. Player Identification: All players are required to have an I.D. with them on game days to prove eligibility.

5. Entry Fees: $250 for all teams playing a 16-game season. This fee includes ASA team registration. Roster fees: $25 per team member until Monday July 6, 2009, and $10 for the remainder of the season.

6. Schedule: All games will be played at the A.L. "Buck" Knowles Softball Complex (also known as Downing Park). The leagues will play on the following nights:

Church - Monday
Men's Gold - Tuesday
Men's Blue - Wednesday
Co-Rec - Thursday
Makeups - Friday

7. Attire: Uniforms are not mandatory, but teams are encouraged to wear matching t-shirts with a sponsor's name and numbers when possible. All players must wear shoes.

8. Team Name: Teams are limited to two title sponsors for naming purposes. If a team has more than two businesses sponsoring their team, they must either designate two sponsors to be used as the team's name or develop an abbreviation or otherwise appropriate name-shortening method.

THE GAME

1. Game Balls & Umpires: The Macomb Area Umpires' Association will provide game balls, an official scorer, and two umpires for each game. Slow pitch balls will be used. Women's League will use an 11-inch ball. Only the umpires will determine when a ball becomes unfit for play. Optic yellow balls will be introduced into all leagues in the 2009 season after the league's supply of white balls have been exhausted.

2. Grace Period: There will be no grace period! Game clock starts promptly at the scheduled start time of the first game of the evening. At least eight eligible players must be present and ready to play at the designated starting time and your line-up must be in by the scheduled game time or before the start of the 5th inning of the game previous, whichever comes first, or that team risks forfeiting. In the event that neither team shows on time, each team will be assessed a loss in the standings. A third forfeiture could result in that team being dropped from the league, and any player and team fees paid will not be refunded.

3. Game time is forfeit time. In case of forfeit, winning team will have one hour access to the field, time permitting.

4. Time Limit: A one hour and ten minute time limit will be enforced. The scorekeeper will announce the time at the beginning of the game and announce it again when ten minutes are left in the game. The scorer will keep the official game time. No more innings will be started after 70 minutes, and the game will be called. Innings will be completed. A tie game will be finished. If the home team is batting and in the lead when the time limit is reached, the game will be stopped at that point.

5. Line-ups: Line-ups with players' first and last names must be submitted to the scorer at or before the time described in #2 above. THIS RULE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED! Please PRINT line- ups in order to aid announcers. Any team without a line-up at game time will be subject to forfeit. Line- ups may be changed until game time. Random checks may be made to ensure names on the line-up are properly registered and rostered players for that team.

6. Pre-Game Practice: There will be no pre-game practice on the infield. Players may warm up on

the outfield or on the Lincoln School field on the west side of the Complex. Do not warm up on the fields nor in the parking lot.

7. Jewelry is NOT permitted! Only medical tags are allowed. (These must be taped with the alert band showing and, in the umpire's judgment, not be dangerous.) Jewelry includes: bracelets (either cloth or metallic), necklaces, rings (umpires will be flexible on wedding bands, but we recommend the removal of wedding bands/rings), watches and earrings (including post-type). The Macomb Area Umpires' Association will not be held responsible for the supervision, theft, or loss of any jewelry. Bandanas or dew rags are also not allowed.

8 Responsibility: For liability purposes, only players that are listed on the team roster are allowed in the bench area. The manager is responsible for conduct of persons on the bench. All trash must be thrown away before vacating the bench area after each game. Have pride in how your ballpark looks!

9. Meeting at the Plate: Both managers and umpires will meet prior to the start of the game to review rules.

GAME RULES

Official ASA slow pitch rules will be used with the following exceptions and points of emphasis:

1. Homeruns

a) If a team is 12 or more runs ahead at the end of the 5th inning, that team shall be declared the winner. The losing team must bat at least five times and an equal number of times as the winning team.

b) 1+ Home Run Rule
Once both teams have reached their home run limit, they can both go for additional home runs, but neither team can be up more than one home run. NOTE: In the bottom of the 7^th inning or in any extra inning, the Home team may not advance beyond the number of home runs accumulated by the visitors.

c) The following home run limits will be used:

Men's White - 3+
Men's Blue - 2+
Men's Gold - 1+
Church - 1+
Co-Rec - 3+

A home run is a batted ball that passes over the fence without the aid of a player. (In-the-park home runs and home runs off the player's body or glove are not counted toward the maximum.) Each home run in excess of the maximum will result in the offending batter being called out. No other penalties will apply in league play.

d) On any over-the-fence homerun or four-base award, the runners are merely required to touch the next base beyond their position at the time of the pitch and then may return directly to their dugout.

2. Stealing: The ASA Stealing Rule will be in effect for the White Division. Runners may attempt to steal after the pitch crosses the front edge of the plate. Any pitch that strikes the plate or does not land beyond the front edge of the plate is a dead ball and runners may not advance.

3. Special Rule: Teams may elect to allow all team players present to bat, although only ten may play defense. This is optional. Each team will inform the scorer prior to the start of the game whether they intend to bat 10, 11, or all players.

4. Eight players must be present to start and finish the game. Players arriving late will be added into the open positions at the bottom of the batting order. Such players may enter the field at the half-inning or, upon being ready to enter the field, by notifying the home plate umpire of their presence in the game. Any late arriving player entering the field while on defense will subject their team to delay or game penalties.

5. If a player is injured and no other players are available, the team will not be given an automatic out for the open position in the batter order. (Exception: skipping an injured batters spot in the lineup will result in an out since male/female alternation is lost.) If a player is ejected and no other players are available, the team will be given an automatic out for the open position in the batter order. If at any time in the game the number of players on a team drops below eight, the game will be declared a forfeit.

6. The courtesy runner rule will be used. There will be only one courtesy runner per inning per team. The runner will be the last recorded batter not on base, or, in the case of the beginning of the first inning, will be the last person listed on the line-up.

7. The ASA Blood Rule will be in effect (Rule 4, Section 8). Each team is required to furnish its own first aid kit. This kit MUST be in your bench area. Under the ASA Blood Rule, the umpire is to allow a "reasonable" length of time to treat the wound. Any player requiring treatment for blood will be given time to cover the wound as long as he/she reports directly to his/her own bench for treatment. At the moment it becomes apparent to the umpire(s) that the team of the injured player does not have a first aid kit on hand in the bench area (i.e., not in the parking lot), the umpire(s) will declare the team automatically in excess of the "reasonable length of time" and will require a substitute (if the team is not batting all) or a courtesy runner.

8. 1-and-1 Count: All divisions will have the batters start with a 1:1 count.

9. Strike Zone: Any legal pitch where any part of the ball hits the mat and does not touch any part of home plate will be called a strike. The mat shall not be considered part of home plate for any purpose.

CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP

1. The team managers are responsible for the conduct of their players.

2. We will not permit any profane language usage nor smoking outside the bench area, including pre- game warmups. This could lead to ejection from the game.

3. Any player or team representative involved in a fight on the field or in the park will be arrested and prosecuted. Any player who goes for another player instead of the base, or engages in play deemed unnecessarily rough, will be called out and ejected from the game.

4. Any player or team associate who does not choose to abide by league regulations or umpire authority is subject to permanent banishment from the park and the league.

5. Ejections: Any player, coach or manager who is ejected from the game must leave the team area immediately, and may be asked to leave the ball park. This decision is up to the umpire making the ejection. That player is suspended from further play that day. A second ejection during the season will result in probable suspension for the balance of the year. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS FOR TEAMS/PLAYERS SUSPENDED FROM THE LEAGUE.

6. Drinking: Drinking alcohol is not permitted within the parks by City Ordinance. Officials have the authority to ban intoxicated persons from play.

7. Park Closing: Curfew for the A.L. "Buck" Knowles Complex at Downing is 11:00 p.m. A city ordinance prohibits loitering in the parks after closing. Lights must be off at the Knowles Complex by 11:00 p.m. Because of the proximity of neighborhoods, the P.A. system will not be used after 10:00 p.m.

EQUIPMENT

1. Only official softball bats meeting all ASA regulations will be used. Handles must be taped to regulation. Bats must not be on the ASA banned bat list published online at www.softball.org.

2. Each team will furnish its own bats.

3. Each team will furnish its own first aid kit, which shall contain the necessary items needed to comply with the Blood Rule.

PROTESTS

1. Judgment calls may not be protested.

2. Only a team manager will discuss a protest with the umpire(s). Anyone else may be ejected.

3. All protests will be filed at the time of the occurrence and before the next legal or illegal pitch. The protest will initially be filed with the home plate umpire and resolved before resumption of play. The protest will be decided by the protest committee, which will consist of all umpires working that night.

4. Players and managers are invited to fill out a suggestion card which will be available in the press box. The intended use is not for official protests nor generalized "bashing," but rather constructive comments meant to bring a situation, umpire, or scorekeeper to the attention of MAUA. The cards may also be used to give praise or note a positive experience while participating in MAUA-sponsored leagues.

MISCELLANEOUS

1. Insurance: Team insurance is available through local insurance agencies or the ASA Players participate at their own risk.

2. Awards: In all leagues, at least the top two teams will receive the appropriate trophy. Ties will be broken based on tie-breaking criteria.

3. Player Changes: Any player may change teams once within the same division during the season. A written note must be received from the team manager that the player is released from the team. The player will not be allowed to play in the next scheduled game of the new team. Players may not be dropped from the roster of a team having no more games remaining on the schedule.

4. New Players: This refers to those who have not signed a team roster. Players may be added to a team at any time during the softball season. They must complete and sign the roster and pay the appropriate roster fee.

5. Playing in More Than One League: Male players are allowed to play on two teams in the Men's League and on a Church and Co-Rec team. The two teams in the Men's League must be in consecutive divisions (i.e., Blue and Gold, Blue and White, or White and Red). The maximum that can be duplicated on any two consecutive rosters for Red, White, Blue and Gold is six. The maximum number of players on a roster who also play on a team in the division immediately above is eight. Female players are allowed to play on one team in the Women's League, one in the Co-Rec League, and one on Church League. The hierarchy of the mens leagues, from low to high, is: Gold, Blue, & White.

6. Teams and managers that need extra players may call the MAUA office number at 309/833-2350, where a list of interested players and their phone numbers will be kept on file, or check the MAUA website at www.macombsoftball.com.

7. A tournament will may be played for each division in which enough teams register at the conclusion of the season.

8. Co-Rec: Softball WILL be rotated. Women will hit the 11-inch ball and men the 12-inch ball. (New in 2004!).

TEAM STANDINGS

1. All teams placing at least first or second will get a trophy. In the event of a tie, standings will be determined on a head-to-head basis. In case of a tie thereafter, there will be a playoff.

2. League standings will be posted each week at Knowles Complex and are available on MAUA's website at www.macombsoftball.com. Standings will also be submitted to the Macomb Journal and the Macomb Eagle to be printed at their discretion.

3. Scores of games will be submitted to the Macomb Journal, the Macomb Eagle, WJEQ, and WKAI (K-100) to be printed or broadcast at their discretion. Scores are also available on MAUA's website.

4. IMPORTANT: Results sheets are official. Managers are asked to sign to verify accuracy.

5. NOTE: Coaches and managers who wish to submit stats of the game must drop them off to the Macomb Journal or the Macomb Eagle by 8:30 the next morning. There is a drop box slot on the front of each building. Stats will be printed space permitting.

RAIN-OUTS

1. At 2:00 p.m., a decision will be made as to whether the Macomb Park District maintenance crews will be able to have the fields ready for play.

2. After the fields are declared ready by the Macomb Park District maintenance staff, the decision of field suitability will remain with the Macomb Area Umpires' Association until scheduled game time.

3. An answering machine has been installed at Knowles Complex to announce game cancellations. The phone number is 309/833-2350.

4. Please listen to WKAI (K-100), WJEQ, or WIUM on rainy days for bulletins regarding games that evening.

5. Although not guaranteed, MAUA will attempt to use email lists to broadcast cancellations via the web. In order to receive cancellations and other news items, visit the MAUA website at www.macombsoftball.com to sign up for the email lists.

RAIN-OUT RESCHEDULING

1. The Macomb Area Umpires' Association will reschedule games canceled due to inclement weather.

2. Make-up games will usually be played at the end of the original schedule.

3. Teams are required to play make-up games as scheduled or accept a forfeit. No changes in make- up schedules will be allowed unless due to ASA tournaments or special requests made before the start of the season.

4. A game suspended due to inclement weather before it became a complete game (5 innings, or 4 ½ if home team is ahead) will be resumed from the point of suspension on the rescheduled date.

5. Schedules and rainout reschedules will not be sent through the mail. The email lists and the website will be the only way to get league schedule information.

TROPHY TIE-BREAKERS

In the event there is a two-way tie at the completion of the season, the following tie breakers will be used to determine final place finishes:

• Head-to-head
• Records against league opponents (starting with best record)
• Runs allowed head-to-head
• Runs allowed during the season
• Coin flip

In the event there is a three- (or more) way tie at the completion of the regular season, the following tie-breakers will be used to determine the higher finisher:

• Head-to-head
• Records against league opponents (starting with best record)
• Runs allowed head-to-head
• Runs allowed during the season

The tie remaining between the two teams left is then broken by the terms in #1 above.