SFCSL GENERAL PLAYING RULES

 

1.    Age limit - Men, ages 13 and up

2.    Player Eligibility Rules - each team is responsible for adherence to player eligibility requirements, however, teams may impose stricter requirements if they desire.  Team rosters must be comprised of approved players as defined below and no more than four free agents.

Please note:  This means that you cannot have more than four free agents for the season as a whole, not just in one game.  You cannot have four free agents one game and a different four free agents the next.  It is four that can play for your team in the entire season.

   -Approved Players - Players must be at least 13 years of age and must be members of the sponsoring church or attend services of the sponsoring church on a regular basis during the calendar year (the intent of the rule is that if they are not members of the church, they are active in the church and its ministries.

   -Unrestricted Free Agent - An unrestricted free agent is considered to be a Born Again Christian who regularly attends a non-league church and who is willing to accept the league's statement of faith and be subject to the SFCSL rules and bylaws.  They also must agree to be bound by the sponsoring church's authority in matters concerning the team and their conduct.

    -Restricted Free Agent - A restricted free agent is considered to be a player who may not be Born Again, who may not regularly attend church, or who may attend a church that would not agree with the league's statement of faith, however, they must agree to be bound by the sponsoring church's authority in matters concerning the team and their conduct.  These players must attend services of the sponsoring church at least twice a month during the season.

    -Free Agent - These players may not be Born Again, and may not even attend church at all.  They do, however, agree to be bound by the sponsoring church's authority in matters concerning the team and their conduct.

 

    To conclude, ONLY the following combinations of players are allowable.

            -5 unrestricted free agents

            -4 unrestricted free agents, 1 restricted free agent or 1 free agent

            -3 unrestricted free agents, 2 restricted free agents

           -3 unrestricted free agents, 1 restricted free agent, 1 free agent.          

 

3.    The league is strictly an organizing entity and therefore, it does not provide any medical or liability insurance.  Each sponsor is required to inform its players of this policy.

4.    The home team is responsible to supply all softballs (one new one and several good backups), bases, and home plate.  The home team is the last one mentioned on the schedule.  Failure to provide the required equipment will result in a forfeit.  

5.    The WINNING team must report the status (score, rainout, or forfeit) of the game by midnight of the scheduled game day.  Failure to comply will result in a $5.00 penalty fee.  The fee will increase by $5.00 for each repeat offense.

    -Penalty fees are due within one week on notification.  Failure to pay the fee on or before the due date will result in an automatic forfeit of the next scheduled game following the due date.  Succeeding games will be forfeited if the fee is not paid on or before the day prior to the next scheduled game.

6.    All protests are handled by the Protest Committee.  To file a protest, follow the procedures set forth in the ASA Official Rules of Softball, then contact the chairman of the Protest Committee or any member of the committee if the chairman is unavailable.  After notifying the committee, send a $25.00 check payable to S.F.C.S.L, to Stephen Staedtler, 672 Whirlaway Drive, Warminster, PA 18974.  Upon receipt, the committee will be requested to render a decision.  If the protest is upheld, $10.00 of the fee will be refunded.  No member of the protest committee may vote on a protest involving his own team.  A tie vote will result in disallowing a protest.

    -Please keep in mind, umpire's judgment calls are not protestable matters.

7.    All games are to start at 6:30 P.M, except at a few fields where there are later starting times.  In ALL cases, the home team gets to use the field 15-30 minutes before the game for practice.  The road teams then gets the field 15 minutes before the game for their practice times.  Please do not switch practice times or mix practices.  Each team is to have their own separate practice time.  Start time may not be delayed past 6:30 except when the minimum number of 8 players is not present.  Forfeit time is 6:45 P.M., or 15 minutes after the game is scheduled to start.

8.    Rainouts are to be rescheduled promptly.  The teams should agree on a date and field, then the home team must contact the chairman of the Scheduling Committee to confirm the date and field availability.  Upon approval from the scheduling committee, the home team must obtain an umpire.

   A.    If the committee has not been contacted within 7 days of the rainout, the game will be rescheduled by the committee and the teams will be   notified.  Games that are rescheduled by the committee will be played on the day and field specified whether or not it is agreeable to the teams.  Failure to play the game will result in a forfeit.

   B.    In addition, a penalty of $5.00 will be assessed against each team.  The fee will be due within 7 days from the date of notification.  Failure to pay the fee on or before the due date will result in an automatic forfeit of the next scheduled game following the due date.  Succeeding games will be forfeited if the fee is not paid on or before the day prior to the next scheduled game.  The fee will increase by $5.00 for each repeated offence.

9.    The official rule book will be the ASA Official Rules of Softball for modified fast pitch with the following exceptions:

   A.    No base stealing.  Base runners can be caught off base but cannot advance until they return to the base last occupied.  If runners fail to return to the base last occupied before advancing, they are out, provided the ball is returned to a fielder and properly appealed.  Base runners must be tagged out on a pickoff play, it is not an automatic out.  Baserunners may take a lead only when the pitcher lets go of the ball.  Leaving early can result in a warning or in the base runner being called out by the umpire.

   B.    A courtesy runner will be allowed only in the event of an injury.   Managers must inform the opposing team when the ground rules are being discussed of players on their team who will need a pinch-runner during the game.   In the event that an opposing team questions an  injury, the umpire will determine whether or not a courtesy runner will be allowed.  A runner being slow or a bad base runner is NOT a reason to allow a courtesy runner. 

        1.    The courtesy runner must be the last batted out.  In the event that the last recorded out is also injured, the opposing team will select a runner.

        2.    If the offensive team wants the injured player to remain in the game rather than replacing or dropping him from the lineup, he can play in the field and if he can bat, he can request a courtesy runner when he reaches base.  If the injured batter cannot bat, then the offensive team must take an out when his place in the batting order is reached.

   C.    Ten fielders are used although 8 may start a game.  If a player comes late, he must be inserted into the last spot in the lineup.  If he wants to join the field in the middle of an inning, he must first get permission from the umpire, so as not to disrupt play.  Teams may use a designated hitter, however, the DH may never play a defensive position.  Improper use of the DH rule can result in a forfeit.

   D.    An extra player (EP) is optional, but if one is used, it must be made known prior to the start of the game and be listed on the scoring sheet in the batting order.  If an EP is used, he must be used for the entire game.  An EP cannot be added once the game has begun.

        1.    The EP must remain in the same position in the batting order for the entire game.

        2.    If an EP is used, all eleven players must bat and any 10 can play the field.  Defensive positions can change, but the batting order must always remain the same.

        3.    A Second EP is allowed as well, with all the same rules pertaining to the first EP.

    E.    In the event a team has no replacement for an injured or ejected player, an automatic out will be recorded in his spot in the batting order.  Two players equal two outs and a third will result in a forfeit.

    F.    Modified fast pitch - Modified rules are the same as fast-pitch rules, except for the following:

        1.    The pitcher, from the start of the windup to the end of the pitch, must have one foot in contact with the pitcher's rubber at all times.

        2.    The pitcher must release the ball on the first forward swing of the pitching arm past the hip.  The release must have a complete smooth follow through, with no abrupt stop of the arm near the hip.

        3.    On the forward swing of the pitching arm, the elbow must be locked at the point of release, and the driving hip, must be square to home plate when the ball is released.

        4.    The ball must not be outside the pitcher's wrist at the top of the backswing, and during the complete forward delivery.

        5.    The pitcher may take the ball behind the back on the backswing.

        6.    The pitcher may not use a windmill or slingshot type pitch, nor may a complete revolution be made in the delivery.

               NOTE = A "slingshot" is defined as turning the body toward first or third base and, bending the elbow during the backswing.

        7.    The pitcher's palm may be pointing downward upon delivery, and the delivery must be an underhanded motion.

        8.    The pitcher's arm can go higher than his shoulder as long as a bowling type pendulum-motion delivery is still used.

        9.   If the pitcher delivers with an arc, it must not be above the batter's head.  If in the umpire's judgment, the pitch has an excessive arc, or is in violation of any of the above pitching motions, he will call a ball.

        10.  If a pitcher throws a ball over the backstop or out of play, the runners DO NOT advance a base (as is the case with ASA rules)

        11.  If a player is hit by a pitch, it is not a walk in any case.  If the umpire determines the player was being thrown at, he can warn the pitcher or throw the pitcher out of the game.

    G.    If a team is leading by 10 runs at the end of 3 innings, and the game is called due to weather or darkness, it will be counted as an official game.

    H.    A game will be complete after 5 innings if called due to weather or darkness or if a team is ahead by 20 runs.  (20 run rule does not apply in playoffs).  If a game does not go 5 innings and is not an official game (see rule G), the game must be played over from the start (both regular season and playoffs)

    I.    Free substitution:  A player who at any time has been withdrawn from the game may re-enter after 3 outs by the opposing team, provided he takes the same position in the batting order.  A pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher only if he never left the lineup, and may come back in another fielding position as long as he goes back into the same spot in the batting order.  If the pitcher was taken out of the lineup, he cannot return as a pitcher.  NOTE:  Improper use of this rule can result in a forfeit.  All changes must be reported to the umpire and the opposing score-keeper.

    J.    Anti-collision rule:  There is no rule you have to slide, but you do have to avoid contact.  When a defensive player has the ball, or is about to catch a thrown ball, and the runner remains on his feet and crashes into the defensive player to create injury or interference, the runner may be called out by the umpire.  If the cat is flagrant, the runner may be ejected.  An errant throw drawing the defense into the path of the runner is not interference.

10.    The home team is responsible for canceling the game 45 minutes before game time in the event of rain.  If the game is canceled, either of the managers must notify the umpire. If the game is canceled, either of the managers must notify the umpire.  Failure to notify the umpire will result in teams paying the FULL AMOUNT to the umpire, with each team paying $17.  I will give you the address of the umpire so that you can send him a check, or you can pay him directly at one of your future games.

The home team must also notify the away team, although it is expected that the decision to cancel the game will be a joint one.

11.    The league will use ONLY Dudley SB12-LND Softballs.

12.    The home team will open each game with prayer and the away team will close with prayer.

13.    There is no bunting.  If a batter bunts, it will be a dead ball and it will be called a strike.  Base runners must return to the base last occupied.  A bunt on a third strike will automatically be an out whether fair or foul.

14.    All players are strictly prohibited from carrying or using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs on or at any field location.  Abusive, indecent, or threatening language is prohibited.  Violations of the above are subject to ejection from the game and will result in disciplinary action by the protest committee.

15.    Except for rainouts, no cancellations will be allowed.  Games will be played as originally scheduled or will result in a forfeit.

16.    Any team which forfeits 3 games will be expelled from the league for the remainder of the season.  All teams will be credited with a win against this team, including any team that had previously lost to them.  The team will not be eligible for membership for the next season without approval of the protest committee.

17.    All teams must submit proof of liability insurance coverage.  A "Certificate of Insurance" is available from your church's insurance agent or company.

18.    Standings are determined by giving two points for a win and one for a tie.  Please see PLAYOFF TIEBREAKERS section for more on playoff positioning.

19.    Post Season Play:

    A.    Playoffs begin Monday, July 9th in 2007.

    B.    Scheduling for all teams is under the discretion of the scheduling committee, using the following principles as a guide.

         1.     Home field is never guaranteed.

         2.   Teams will not be scheduled to play on back to back nights, unless both teams agree to it, and it does not delay the schedule. Teams can be scheduled two days apart (Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs).  If it rains, back to back games may become necessary.

                                                                                  

        3.    Higher seeds will be the home team in 2 of the 3 games, and will obviously have more say in those games.  If they cannot get their home field on those nights, they will be the home team in 2 of the 3 games, and have more say in where the 3 games are played.

               4.   If the two teams are playing a home game on the same night, and there is a field dispute, the higher seed will get first preference.

            5.  If the higher seed has their own field in games 1 and  3, the lower seed will be able to determine, to some extent, when and where game 2 will be.

            6.  Teams cannot elect to play on another field when their home field is available, unless it is a joint decision by both teams, and is due to an extraordinary event for one of the teams, such as an all church meeting.

            7.  Requests must be made to the scheduling committee in a timely manner.  Sometimes, teams that don't have a field on a certain night may call their township and find out if it is available.  However, scheduling a game at a field that is not available and then finding out you cannot play with both teams there, may result in a forfeit.  Teams must contact the commissioners before the playoff series to tell them what nights the fields are available.

            8. Series should start and end within two days of each other, if they are going the same amount of games.  Generally, one game of the series will be Mon/Tues and the other game will be Wed/Thurs/Fri.  Friday games will be allowed this year in certain circumstances, and if  a team has their home field on Friday, you may be required to play then.

            9.  In late June, calls or emails will be made to find out a teams preference for nights that they play in the playoffs.  Nothing, of course, is a guarantee.

            10.  The commissioners will not make the decision on scheduling their own series.  They will defer to the other commissioners. If two commissioners teams are playing each other, the lone commissioner left may seek outside help to schedule the series or settle a dispute.

            11. A little more flexibility is given in the Finals for scheduling since no team is waiting for the series to be over.

 

 

       

    C.    Five innings will be considered a complete game.

    D.    The Scheduling Committee will schedule each round of the playoffs and provide an umpire for each round.

    E.    Each team must pay the umpire $17.00 prior to the start of the game.  Failure to do so will result in a forfeit.

    F.    The team with the better record will be the home team for the first and third game (if necessary).  Field assignment is at the sole discretion of the Scheduling Committee.

    G.    Players must have played in at least five regular season games.  Use of an unqualified player will result in a forfeit.  (A player who actually shows up for a rained out game, will count as a game, but if the game is played, he must have actually played in the game)

    H.    Number of eligible teams will be decided at the pre-season meeting. - 6 with the top two teams getting byes.  Highest seed plays lowest remaining seed in semi-finals.

20.    Fees:

    A.    The league entry fee is $57.00 and non-refundable.

    B.    Umpire fees of $17.00 per game are due prior to the start of each game.  Failure to pay the umpire prior to the start of the game will result in a forfeit.

    C.    In the event the league is disbanded, all remaining funds will be equally divided among the teams that last participated in the league.  Funds will be paid to the church or organization sponsoring the team, not to an individual.

    D.    Fees (excluding umpire) are used to pay for trophies, printing costs, postage, rule books, and envelopes.  Any expenditure in excess of $50 (excluding umpire fees, cost of trophies, and field usage fees), must be approved by the majority vote of league members.

    E.    The chairman of the Organizing and Scheduling Committees are entitled to receive $2.00 per team to cover telephone expenses.

21.    Players are encouraged to have matching jerseys and hats, but are not required to do so.

22.    Steel spikes are NOT permitted.  Players who are found using steel spikes during a game will be ejected and receive a 1 game suspension (in addition to the game they were ejected from)

23.    Players cannot play for more than one team.  Use of a player from another team will result in a forfeit.

24.    New Teams:  Requests for league membership will be voted on by the Protest Committee based on the following: 

    A.    Applicants acceptance of the statement of faith and agreement to abide with it and league rules an by-laws.

    B.    Field availability

    C.    Number of teams (maximum = 16)

    D.    Length of season.

25.    Organization: There will be 3 committee members made up from members of the league.  The chairman of each committee must have at least two years experience with the league.  Members shall be elected annually at the first league meeting.

    A.    Organizing Committee: Duties

        1.    Announce any meeting of the league

        2.    Be responsible for general organization and planning.

        3.    Preside at any league meeting.

        4.    Collect fees and pay expenses.

        5.    Chairman plus protest committee.

    B.    Protest Committee: Duties

        1.    Oversee compliance with rules.

        2.    Vote on any properly filed protest.

        3.    Committee will have at least 3 members.  (no more than one representative from each church or organization)

        4.    The committee will oversee conduct of all players, managers, and committee members.  Any of the above not conducting himself in a Christian manner will have/his or their conduct reported to the Protest Committee through any of its members.  The committee then has the right to question anyone concerning any incident to obtain necessary information to render a decision based on the following:

            a.    First Complaint - A phone call from the chairman of the committee reminding the individual to remember that the league was established to promote Christian fellowship.

            b.    Second Complaint - Automatic 3 game suspension and another call from the chairman informing the individual that any further complaints will result in suspension for the season and possible future seasons.

            c.    Ejections - Any individual who is ejected from a game will automatically be suspended for the next two games.  A second ejection will result in a suspension for the season.  In rare cases, the protest committee may shorten or lengthen suspensions based on facts surrounding the incident provided by the umpire and teams.

              d.    Individuals ejected for physical contact with an umpire or another individual will be automatically suspended for the season.

            e.    Individuals suspended for any period of time cannot attend SFCSL games during the suspension.    

            f.    If a player is injured or ejected from a game, and no replacement is available, an out will be taken for that player's place in the lineup.

                1.    Anyone suspended for the season may appeal this action to the Protest Committee and request a hearing for the purpose of being reinstated.

                2.    Upon such request, the committee will arrange a meeting at the earliest possible time and will request anyone having knowledge of the incident to be present.

                3.    A majority of committee members (including chairman) must be present at a hearing.

                4.    No matter what the outcome, the individual will serve a suspension of not less than 5 games (including playoffs) and if an appeal is made, the individual will be suspended from play until his hearing even if he has already served the 5 game suspension.

    C.    Scheduling Committee:  Duties

        1.    Schedule regular season and playoff games

        2.    Reschedule rainout games not scheduled by teams within 7 days.

        3.    Schedule umpires for regular season and playoffs.

        4.    Insure that fields are used as authorized.

        5.    Must have at least a chairman who may request additional members up to five.

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TIEBREAKER RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1.    HEAD TO HEAD - COD beat New Life Kings during the year, COD would make the playoffs.

2.    NET RUNS VS.  OPPONENT - If COD and Kings split during the year, but Kings won 11-5 and lost 9-8, Kings would get in the playoffs based on a net run differential of 19-14.

3.    NET OVERALL RUN MARGIN - If COD and Kings split, and COD wins 8-3 and Kings wins 13-8, we have a tie at 16 runs apiece.  At that time, you take the total margin of runs scored for the year.  If COD outscored their opponents 171-110, and Kings outscored their opponents 154-130, COD would get in with a plus 61 run margin, while Kings only had a plus 24 run margin.

4.    COIN FLIP.

 

Things to remember in 3 way or 4 way ties.

1.  Start with the first tiebreaker, head to head.  If in a three way tie, Chelten Baptist was 3-0 and Jarrettown Methodist and New Life Blue were 1-2, Chelten would make the playoffs first.  The other two teams would then start over again with the first tiebreaker at head to head.  If all 3 teams somehow were 2-2, you proceed to the 2nd tiebreaker with ALL 3 teams, net runs vs. opponent.

2.  The thing to remember is this:  Once a team has been eliminated from a group of teams, the other teams must start over again with the first tiebreaker.  As long as no team is eliminated from a group, you must move to the 2nd tiebreaker and so on.

3.    In comparing two teams records against each other or against a group, WINNING PERCENTAGE is used.  In other words, a team that is 1-2 would have the same winning percentage as a team that is 2-4.

 

Here is a scenario that actually happened in 1999.    

                       W-L   vs. opponents

COD Saints   8-7       4-2 /.667

Davisville      8-7       3-2/.600

Kings             8-7       2-4/.333

Oreland         8-7        1-2/.333

Three of these four teams had to make the playoffs.  As you can see, COD would make the playoffs first, followed by Davisville 2nd.  Kings and Oreland have the same winning percentage, so those two teams start over again with head to head against each other.  Kings happened to beat Oreland that year, so Kings made the playoffs and Oreland, being last, did not.

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