GREATER NASHUA MEN'S EVANGELICAL SOFTBALL LEAGUE

BYLAWS (Last updated 3/8/08)

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League Motto:  We play to win others

 

League Purpose:

                  1. Outreach ministry

                  2. Fellowship with other believers

                  3. Friendly competition

 

This slo-pitch softball league will be governed by official ASA rules with the following exceptions:

 

1:  League Structure

a:        Two divisions

b:       Each division will play twelve (12) games within their division

 

2:  Player Eligibility:

a.     Every player in the league must be a male, a minimum of sixteen (16) years old and all players under age eighteen (18) must complete and submit a waiver form (provided) signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to participation in any league games.

b.     In addition, players must meet any one of the following requirements;

        1:  should be a church member or attend regularly

        2:  affiliated with church activities other than softball  (coach's discretion with pastor's approval)

        3:  invited to play as an outreach ministry

                                 

3:  Players and Game Rules

a.     Each team shall field a minimum of eight (8) men and may bat as many as thirteen (13) men with any ten of those playing in the field. (three extra hitters)  Teams that start with 8 or 9 players to start a game only need to have the actual number of players in the line-up, i.e. there are no automatic outs for less than 10 players at the start of a game.

b.       A 15 minute grace period will be allowed to reach eight (8) players.  When the required minimum is present, the game must start.  All players present and able must be counted.

c.       All men present who wish to play shall play in the game.

d.       No inning may start after the next game's scheduled starting time except a game on a field where 2 games are scheduled with at least 3-1/2 hours to play.  In this case, a new inning may be started until 1 hour and 45 minutes after the official start time of the first game and play may be completed of any inning so started.  The umpire may also allow a new inning to start at his sole authority (coaches recommendations to be considered).

e.       If a game is canceled, all subsequent games at that field that night are officially canceled.  Note the subsequent games may be played by coaches agreement.

f.        Multi-walled bats (double, triple) are not allowed for game use.  All bats must comply with the ASA 2004 standard.”

g.       A courtesy runner may be used when a player is injured or by coaches agreement.  The courtesy runner shall be the player who made the last out.

h.       A batter is allowed one foul ball after he has two strikes.  On a subsequent foul ball, the batter shall be declared out.

i.         Stealing is not allowed.  ASA Rule 8 Sec. 4G: G does not apply to our League. 

j.         The coach of the trailing team, at his sole discretion, can invoke the Run Ahead Rule (5.9) by so informing the opposing coach and the umpire.  If notification is given, then the game will be considered complete and final.

k.       Teams that only have 8 players at a game may have a roster player from the opposing team play a non-defensive catcher role if there is agreement from both coaches and implicit or explicit agreement from the umpire.  The responsibilities of a non-defensive catcher are only catching the pitches and throwing the ball back to the pitcher.

       

4:  Fees, Rosters,

a:     Fees will be established by the President of  the League.

b:    Every team MUST submit a current copy of the church insurance policy binder prior to the start of the season or buy insurance through the League

c:     Rosters, waivers and all other remaining paperwork should be returned with the balance of the league fees.  Regular season roster changes or additions may be made at any time during the season.  Playoff rosters are frozen as of June 30^th.  Playoff roster additions after June 30^th need to be approved by the President (or Vice-President) with a justification for the late addition.  Approval is solely based on the discretion of the President (or Vice-President).  Please notify the President (or Vice-President) of any changes as soon as possible by mail, e-mail or phone including team and player name

 

5:  Conduct:

a:     On disputed plays, only opposing managers may talk to the umpire—be polite and courteous at all times 

b:     All games are to begin at the scheduled time.  A fifteen (15) minute grace period from the scheduled starting time will be allowed if either team does not have eight players.  Games MUST begin if you have eight or more players.  Late arrivals may be added to the bottom of the line-up without penalty through the fifth inning. 

c:     No metal spikes or any other equipment which is considered dangerous to others are allowed.

d:     Runners must not interfere with the defense.  On force plays, you must either GO DOWN, GO OUT, or GIVE UP.

 

6:  Tie Break Rules:

Ties will be broken in the following order:

1.        If 3 or more teams are tied, then the best won/lost record in head to head competition against all teams that are tied.  If 3 or more teams are still tied but 1 or more teams position has been determined, then this tie-break is re-applied for the remaining teams.

2.        If 2 teams are tied, then the best won/lost record in head to head competition

3.        Coin toss

 

Complex tie break example:

 

5 teams are tied with a record of 6-6 at the end of the season.  Their records against each other are as follows (read across for W/L record against other teams):

 

            A      B       C      D       E     Total   Total

                                                         A-E    A,C,E

A          x     1-1    2-0    0-2    0-1     3-4      2-1

B         1-1     x     2-0    0-1    2-0     5-2     

C         0-2    0-2     x     0-1    1-1     3-4      1-3

D         2-0    1-0    1-0     x     1-1     5-1

E         1-0    0-2    1-1    1-1     x      3-4      2-1

 

The first tie-breaker results in Team D being seeded first of these teams with a 5-1 record against common opponents and Team B being seeded second with a 5-2 record.  Teams A, C and E all have a 3-4 record against common opponents and therefore go to the next tiebreaker.  Since there are still more than 2 teams, the first tie-breaker is again used with teams A, C and E.  This results in Team C being seeded 5^th of the 5 teams with teams A and E still being tied.  A head to head comparison is done between teams A and E with team E having the better record and thus being seeded 3^rd while Team A is seeded 4^th.  No coin flip is needed.