Kevin McAuliffe City Softball League -
2017 Season Rules and Regulations

1. ASA rules apply unless otherwise noted.

2. Rosters of 25 players per team are allowed.
1. Initial rosters must be submitted by May 12, 2017.
2. A maximum of five (5) non-company players may be put on the roster of each team.
3. Each team may submit a final roster by July 7, 2017 provided that it continues to abide to the roster limit of 25 players and 2(b). After July 7^th, no changes may be made in any team’s roster for the duration of the season.
4. The minimum age to participate in the league is 21. There is no maximum age.
5. All teams must complete their Team Waiver Form and maintain their own copy as well as provide a copy to the Commissioner.

3. Games may be postponed only on account of weather.
1. Any game called on account of weather must be called by 4 p.m. of the day of the game for a 6 pm start, by decision of the Commissioner after consultation with both team managers. Games taking place later in the evening are subject to a later cancellation time.  The intended guideline is to provide teams with a minimum of two hours before game time to properly inform their teams as well as coordinate with the umpires.
2. Umpires will have authority to call games on account of weather after games have begun.
3. A game will be entered into the standings as official if it has gone five full innings (four -and-a-half innings if the home team is ahead).
4. Any team that fails to field a squad for a game that has not been called on account of weather, according to the procedures specified above, shall lose the game by forfeit.
5. Game times for all regular-season games shall be at 6:15 p.m. sharp, unless otherwise noted (See 3.8). A team can elect to wait until the game start time if 9 or fewer players are present.
6. Any team that does not have a team on the field or ready to bat, and has not presented its lineup card to the umpire as specified in Rule 5, by 6:35 p.m. shall lose the game by forfeit. Umpires will have authority to order such a forfeit.  In the event that the game time is different than 6:15 p.m., a team will have 20 minutes to field a starting lineup, otherwise a forfeit will occur.  A sample lineup card is available on the league website.
7. Game times for playoff games in the Championship Tournament shall be 6 p.m., with a forfeit deadline of 6:20 p.m. unless otherwise specified.
8. Any team that forfeits three (3) or more games during the regular season will be ineligible for the Championship Tournament. If a team is removed for failing to field enough players three times, league dues will not be refunded. Commissioner will have the ability to make an exception to the forfeit rule given extreme circumstances. Extreme circumstances are those defined as acts of Terror, death, or massive changes within the workforce (i.e. layoffs).
9. Beginning with the 2005 season, game times may vary. Teams are responsible for verifying their game times and permits. For specific fields such as Murry Bergtraum field, teams must wait until the facility is available as the high school has priority during the school year. Also, dependent upon field space and time, umpires may designate starting batters counts with a one ball and one strike count.
10. Teams must willingly leave the field when their games have ended.  Some games will be designated with Start and End Times.  Regardless of how late a game starts, teams must abide by the defined End Time. 
11. In the event that no umpire is present to officiate a game at game time, teams must decide up front whether they both wish to receive a win or contact the Commissioner and request that the game be rescheduled.   A member of the offensive team will serve as the umpire standing behind the pitching mound as the game is played. If an umpire arrives prior to the end of the third inning, the game may proceed. The intent is that the field space be used and team members are allowed to play. 

4. All teams shall have uniforms, the minimum uniform consisting of Jerseys that have common color, design and/or logo.
1. Umpires will have authority to bar from the game any players they deem not to be in uniform.
2. Umpires will conduct a coin toss with the respective managers to determine which team gets “home-field” advantage for the first game between any two teams in the regular season. The team that loses this coin toss will have “home-field” advantage for the second game played between the teams, if there is one, unless that team defaults on its “home-team” status by virtue of not being in compliance with Rules 4.3 and 4.4. No team is allowed to “waive” the coin toss and “volunteer” to be the “away” team in a regular-season game. If any team attempts to do so, then any game in the Championship Tournament between those two teams shall have that game’s “home-field” advantage determined by another coin toss prior to the tournament game. If any team wins the coin toss in a regular-season game and refuses to accept “home team” status, the coin toss will nevertheless be recorded as having gone in that team’s factor and said team will be the “away” team in any tournament game between the two teams. Umpires will have authority to order a coin toss to resolve these or any other disagreements concerning “home-field” status for a tournament game prior to the start of that game.
3. Every team is required to bring a home plate and three bases to every game. If any team fails to bring this equipment, umpires will have authority to automatically award “home team” status to that team’s opponent. Teams are also responsible to provide their own catcher's mask and batting equipment. A courtesy base may be used at first base, if available.
4. Both teams are obligated to bring a new, unused “Clincher” softball to every game for presentation to the umpire before game time. If the designated “home team” fails to bring such a Clincher to the game, umpires will have authority to award “home team” status to that team’s opponent. If the designated “visiting team” fails to bring such a Clincher the game, it will be obligated to pay the “home team” the sum of $15 under pain of forfeit. Umpires will have authority to order such a forfeit if the sum is not paid.

5. Each manager shall present to the umpire and the opposing manager a lineup card prior to the game, listing name and position of each player.

1. Each team may have an offensive lineup of up to 12 batters including one hitter that must be initially identified by the initials EH (Extra Hitter) and one hitter identified by the initials AH (Additional Hitter). Every fielder, the pitcher included, must come to bat. There is one exception to this rule, which is described in Rule 5.10. As of the 2004 season, the EH may rotate in and out of the field.  Effective with the 2006 Season, a team may have a twelfth batter in the lineup who may also substitute in and out of the field. Both the EH and AH are optional hitters and are not required to start play. As of the 2015 Season, teams may bat up to 14 players, 10 traditional hitters, 1 DH and 3 Extra Hitters. It is not required to bat all 14, but is an option afforded to the Captains. The batters will be treated like Extra Hitters and may play the field. Batters may be initially identified by the initials EH (Extra Hitter) or DH (Designated Hitter). There may only be one DH per team.

2. Each team may have a defensive alignment of 1 to 10 fielders, including a short-centerfielder.

3. Each team must have at least eight players, on offense and defense, to start the game in order to avoid a forfeit according to the provisions of Rule 3.5.
4. Each team may elect to start with nine players on either offense or defense, and then add either a tenth fielder-batter; a tenth batter; or a tenth fielder-batter and an eleventh batter after the game has begun, provided any such additional players entering the game are placed at the bottom of the team’s batting order. This also applies when teams have the minimum of eight players.  A team may play with 8 players throughout the game. It will not be an automatic out when the 9th position in the order is scheduled since the team will already be penalized with a limited number of fielders. See 5.11 for additional clarification.
5. Each team must have at least one (1) female player on the field and in the offensive lineup at all times during the game. A female as an Extra Batter does not fulfill this minimum requirement. No team may go longer than 12 batters without putting a female player up to bat. On any occasion when a female player comes to bat after the batter ahead of her in the lineup has walked, ASA rules for “co-ed” competition requiring that the female batter automatically also be given a base-on-balls by the umpire shall not be applied, and the female batter shall take an at-bat.
1. In the event a team has 8 or more players, but a female player is not available at the start of the game, a game may start with the team incurring the following penalties:
2. The team will lose home field advantage
3. The team will place the missing player at the top of the lineup and incur a penalty of 2 outs each time the player is scheduled to bat. Outs may carryover for future innings.
4. The team will play with 8 players in the field
5. The McGowan Rule will apply if there is an injury
6. Substitutions during a game shall be made by managers according to ASA rules, at the discretion of the umpires. ASA rules enable reentry as long as the person reenters the lineup in the same batting position. There is no gender restriction for the reentry rule. All players are equal. Teams may substitute any of the following combinations: female for a male; female for a female; male for a male; and a male for a female.
7. Each team manager shall keep a scorecard during the game. Upon completion of the game, winning teams should have the umpire sign their scorebook. This will further help rectify any problems that may occur with any of the umpires as well as enable positive feedback as well. Feedback on the umpires officiating is appreciated and assists the Commissioner and the Umpire Chief in the selection of umpires for the playoffs. Teams are also expected to clean up their dugouts and inspect the surrounding area notifying 311 or the Commissioner if there is any damage or excessive refuse at the field.
8. The winning teams should then submit the results on the league website.
9. Each team manager shall complete an Internet form indicating the results of every game and the pre-game coin-toss, to the Commissioner no later than the day after the game. If there is any dispute between the teams over what the final score was, each team shall forward to the Commissioner, by FAX or messenger or mail or hand, a copy of the scorecard for that game within 72 hours after its conclusion. If neither team notifies the Commissioner of the final score within 24 hours (or one business day) after the game, the result of the game may be nullified and the game will be removed from the league standings, listed as neither a win nor a loss for either team.  The name of the umpire(s) which umpired the game should also be included when submitting the results on the league site which is located at http://www.gwhynot.com/.
10. Protests must be submitted in writing, and according to ASA rules regarding which decisions and matters are open to protest. A $50 bond must accompany each protest filed by a team in order to be accepted. The bond is refundable if the protest is upheld.
11. There is an exception where every fielder may not come to bat. If the umpire is notified before the game that a defensive player has an injury and is unable to bat, then the umpire may grant the team the opportunity to have another player, who is not in the lineup, take the place in the offensive lineup of the injured player. This player would effectively act as a Designated Hitter.
12. Summarizing 5.1 and 5.11, a team may have up to 4 Extra Hitters (EH1, EH2, EH3 and EH4) or up to 3 Extra Hitters (EH1, EH2 and EH3) and one Designated Hitter (DH). A DH can hit for another position player in the field, while an Extra Hitter can both hit and play the field under the premise that there are no more than 10 fielders at any one time. A team can have 10 fielders and four extra hitters who can rotate in and out of the field or a team can have 10 fielders, up to three extra hitters and a DH. In this instance the Designated Hitter will take the at bat of another positional player who is playing the field.
13. As of the 2008 season, teams may add players to the field and into the batting order through the end of the third inning without penalty. This applies even if the lineup has batted around. This enables late arriving players to participate in the game without penalty. Traditional substitution applies for the lineup starting the top of the 4^th inning. Players may be appended to the bottom of the lineup prior to the start of the top of the fourth inning even if the lineup has turned over without penalty.
5. Games will be modified pitch, as specified in ASA rules.
1. Any player taken out of the game may reenter the game only in the same position in the batting order.
2. Bunting is not allowed.
3. Runners may lead from bases only after pitcher has released the ball. Stealing is not allowed.  If the catcher attempts a throw to an occupied base, then the ball becomes in play and the runner(s) may advance.
4. Courtesy runners will be allowed, provided the runner is the last batter who made an out while at bat. Upon reaching base, a team may elect to have a courtesy runner for a member of its team. To avoid any manipulation of the courtesy runner (which occurred in the 2004 playoffs), the team may only run for a female player with another female player. If another female player is not present, then the Team Manager may approach the umpire and indicate why the female runner requires a courtesy runner. If deemed appropriate by the umpire, the individual who made the last out will then be allowed to become the courtesy runner. All courtesy runners must check in with the umpire. If the umpire is not informed of the courtesy runner and a pitch takes place, it is the umpire's discretion to choose whether to call the courtesy runner as out.
5. Players will wear sneakers or rubber cleats. Metal spikes are not allowed.
6. Umpires will explain all other interpretations of ASA rules to managers, as needed and according to the umpires’ discretion, prior to and during course of the game
7. The McGowan Rule: In the event that a team does not have any additional bench players and a player is injured, the team will be allowed to skip the player’s at bat without being penalized with an out. This will be a subjective decision to be approved by the Umpires. If an at bat is skipped, the injured player will not be allowed to renter the game. If a player is injured, a removed player will be allowed to reenter the game in the position in the lineup for the individual that was injured.
8. Revised for the 2006 Season:  There will be a 15 run mercy rule in effect at the end of five complete innings. If anytime after a complete inning after the fifth inning a team is leading by 15 or more runs, the umpire will end the game with the team leading receiving a win.  
   The Mercy Rule only impacts regular season games. In the event that a team is ahead by 15 runs or more at the end of four innings, the losing team will receive their fifth inning at-bat. In the event that the losing team is the home team, then the winning team will receive their at-bat and be limited to having everyone in their lineup receive one at-bat. If the half inning has not ended before the final batter receives an at-bat for the winning team, then the winning team’s at-bat will be terminated and the number of runs scored will be added to their existing run total. If after the fifth inning the winning team is up 15 runs or more, then the Mercy Rule will be executed.
9. Teams may place fielders in any defensive alignment they wish in the field of play. There is no restriction on the number of players in the outfield vs. the infield. Teams are asked to exhibit proper sportsmanship at all times. This rule is being highlighted to clarify situations where teams find themselves in a bases-loaded last inning of the game with one out and need to turn a double play and thus, bring their fielders in to increase their opportunity to make a play. A second scenario involves weaker hitting players when teams often push their fielders onto the infield. Many umpires choose to make a decision based upon their interpretation. There is no interpretation necessary. Teams may position their fielders in any configuration they choose.
10. Any vacated spot in the batting order not resulting from an injury (see The McGowan Rule) will result in an automatic "out" one time only, unless the player is ejected from the game.

7. Bench jockeying shall be kept impersonal. Obscene or threatening language, ethnic insults or “fighting words” are not permitted.
1. Sexual harassment of any kind is strictly forbidden.
2. Batters are not permitted to throw bats.
3. Batters are not permitted to argue ball-and-strike calls with the umpire.
4. No alcoholic beverages may be on the field, or consumed by any player, prior to or during the course of a game.
5. Umpires shall have discretion to enforce these and all other rules of behavior according to their discretion, including ejection from the game. A warning will first be issued to the individual(s) and the team(s) involved. If the inappropriate behavior persists, the umpires will have authority to call the game with no questions asked. The team(s) responsible for taunting will automatically receive a loss. If an umpire is forced to call a game for a team more than once, than the team may be removed from the league and/or not be eligible for the playoffs.
6. Any player who instigates a fight with another player will be automatically suspended for the next league game, and any player who repeats this offense will be suspended from league competition for the duration of the season.
7. If any player refuses to leave the field after ejection by an umpire, that player’s team loses the game by forfeit. The player will be automatically suspended for the next league game, and any player who repeats this offense will be suspended from league competition for the duration of the season.
8. Any player who engages in any physical attack or abuse of an umpire, or otherwise seeks to threaten or intimidate an umpire, will be suspended from league competition for the duration of the season.
9. Any player who brandishes a bat at another player, or hits or seeks to hit another player with a bat, will be suspended from league competition for the duration of the season.

8. Home designation for the playoffs will go to the team with the better regular-season record except for the League Championship games so long as all other provisions of Rule 4.2 have been compiled with. In the League Championship Series, home-field status will be rotated between the winners of each Division.
1. A player must appear in 4 games to appear in the playoffs. Special consideration will be granted for those who experience extenuating circumstances, such as military deployment or return from injury.
2. All teams will make the playoffs unless teams have either forfeited three or more games or have been removed from the league.
3. All playoff games are winner take all.
4. The final two teams will meet in The Kevin McAuliffe City Softball League Series, which is best two out of three games.
5. In matters of dispute, the Commissioner will have final authority. 
6. Teams that do not pay their full fee by the posted fee date may be removed from the league prior to the season
7. Similar to Rule 3.7, any team removed from the league during the season will not be refunded their league dues.  In addition, as Rule 8.1 states, the removed team will not eligible to participate in the playoffs nor be allowed to attend the End of the League Event.
8. Any team removed from the League will not be eligible to be members of the league in future years
9. If the Commissioner is present at the field and/or participating in a league game, the umpire has full authority during game play.

9. Following ASA / USA Softball Rules, the league maintains a list of banned bats. The official certified and banned bats list from USA Softball may be found at http://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/play-usa-softball/certified-usa-softball-equipment. The official bat for USA Softball Championship Play must meet all of the USA Softball specifications and requirements of Rule 3, Section 1.  The official bat must bear either the ASA 2000 Certification Mark, ASA 2004 Certification Mark, or ASA 2013 Certification Mark (Slow Pitch, Men’s Adult Fast Pitch, Junior Olympic Boy’s Fast Pitch and Men’s Modified only), as shown below and must not be listed on the Non-Approved Bat List with 2000 or 2004 Certification Mark.

AND must be included on a list of approved bat models published by USA Softball 

OR must, in the sole opinion and discretion of the umpire, have been manufactured prior to 2000 and if tested, would comply with the USA Softball Bat Performance Standard. This includes wooden bats. Exception: Senior Softball bats may be used in Senior Championship Play only.