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ORANGE COUNTY JEWISH SOFTBALL LEAGUE Note: All games in the Orange County Jewish Softball League shall be played in accordance with the current S.C.M.A.F. Official Softball Rule Book except as noted herein by "Board" approved modifications. |
PURPOSE OF THE LEAGUE:
TO HAVE FUN IN A LEAGUE BUILT ON INTEGRITY, TRUST, AND COMPETITIVENESS, WHILE AT NO TIME COMPROMISING THE SPIRITS OF FELLOWSHIP, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND FRIENDSHIP APPROPRIATE TO THE JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS WITH WHICH WE ARE AFFILIATED.
LEAGUE PRESIDENT
MICHAEL DEEMS
mdeems@pacbell.net
508 East Chapman Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832
PHONE: (714) 626-0540
FAX: (714) 626-0545
LEAGUE VICE PRESIDENT / TREASURER
BARRY KATZ
(949) 559-8662
9 Woodflower
Irvine 92614-7527
LEAGUE RULES
These rules will remain in effect indefinitely. Each respective page changed will have a revision date in the upper left hand corner (i.e. Revised: 04/01/08). You can then switch those pages to keep your copy of the Playing Rules up to date. When extensive changes are made, the Rules in their entirety will be passed to each team.
Each respective change, or clarification, will be annotated by a (C) in the left hand margin. Please read these rules, become familiar with them (as you are responsible to abide by them), and keep them ACCESSIBLE. Be sure you make a copy for your assistant manager, and that they are passed on to the new manager/assistant manager when a change in managers/assistants takes place. Please distribute as many additional copies as you deem necessary, but ensure a copy is always available for reference, it may come in handy.
(C) The League is governed by a President (Commissioner), a Financial Vice President (Treasurer), and a Board of Directors (Board). The Board is comprised of each of the sitting managers of the teams participating in the current playing season (e.g. 2008 Spring/Summer Season).
(C) Should a situation arise that requires a resolution/adjudication (be it a player issue, personal issue, rules violation, etc.) the matter will be referred to the Board. Each manager has an equal single (1) vote in the final resolution of that matter. If there are an odd number of teams, the consensus of a simple majority constitutes the final decision; the Commissioner does not vote but can make his position known. If there is an even number of teams, again a simple majority constitutes the decision. IF, however, the vote comes out even (without a majority), the Commissioner will cast the tie-breaking vote.
(C) For continuity, should a situation arise that a manager feels should be brought to the Board for resolution, he/she will present it to the Commissioner via Email (or other electronic means for the purpose of documentation). The issue in question will then be disseminated to the Board via Email. The managers will then submit their vote back to the Commissioner by Email (or other electronic means for the purpose of documentation). The vote can, and probably should, be sent one-to-one from the manager to the Commissioner to protect everyone's privacy; however, that is a personal choice. Managers have seventy-two (72) hours from the Email time/date stamp to cast their vote. After that period a decision will be reached based on the votes received at that time. If the vote received after 72 hours is tied, the Commissioner will cast the tie-breaking vote.
1. SCMAF RULES:
This League will abide by the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (S.C.M.A.F.) Rules except as noted below. If questions should arise, the latest edition of our League Rules and the S.C.M.A.F. Rules should be consulted, or the decision of the umpire(s) will prevail. Any violation of these rules, if brought to the League in the form of a formal protest (refer to League Rule #13), or if known by a Board member, could be grounds for the forfeiture of a game resulting in the loss of a victory.
(C) a. Team rosters may have a maximum of 20 players including a player/manager. (S.C.M.A.F. Rules do not dictate a limit.)
(C) b. MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS. A team may, if necessary, play with only eight eligible players. IF they choose to play with eight players, the opposing team MUST provide a catcher for that team. That catcher MUST be an eligible roster player. The catcher provided will not bat, and is not required to make any plays. Essentially they are provided to simply catch the ball and throw it back to the pitcher. If a team has less than eight eligible players, the game is a forfeit and the opposing team is declared the winner by a score of 9-0 (as long as the opposing team has at least eight eligible players). A mutual agreement between both managers can not override this rule in order to use an otherwise ineligible player to constitute the eighth, ninth or tenth player. There can be a 15-minute grace period (prior to the start of the game) to await the arrival of an expected eighth player, if necessary. That time though will be counted as part of the 1 hour and 45 minute game playing time.
c. BATTING ORDER. The batting order can consist of from 8-20 players. (S.C.M.A.F. Rules limit the number to 8-16 players with any remaining rostered players withheld as substitutes.) [Rule 6, Section 2.E]
d. TIME LIMITS. All games, excluding playoffs, will consist of 9 innings or a 1 hour 45 minute time limit, whichever comes first. However, all early games must be completed by 10:15 and late games completed by 12:15. There are no time limits for playoff games (ALL ROUNDS). (S.C.M.A.F. Rules state that a regulation game shall consist of 7 innings or 1 hour and 10 minutes, whichever comes first.) [Rule 1, Section 5]
e. TIE GAMES. IF a game is tied after nine innings, and the time limit (1 hour and 45 minutes) has not expired, the game will continue into extra innings until one team wins or the time limit is reached. IF a game remains tied after the time limit has been reached, the game WILL continue under the International Tie-Breaker Rule until the umpire in charge officially declares one team a winner. The International Tie-Breaker Rule begins each half-inning with the player who precedes the leadoff hitter on the lineup card on second base with no outs. The first batter due up in that inning comes to bat and the game then proceeds as normal. NO game will end in a tie. (S.C.M.A.F. Rules have no provision for any tiebreakers other than playing any necessary number of extra innings.) [Rule 1, Section 9]
f. COURTESY RUNNERS. Players requiring a courtesy runner MUST be identified to both the opposing manager and the umpire PRIOR to the START of the game (and designated by an asterisk (*) next to their name on the lineup card). There is no limit to how many courtesy runners a team may use but they MUST be designated prior to the game. (S.C.M.A.F. Rules allow only 1 courtesy runner per inning without any prior approval or notations.) [Rule 3 Section 3]
(1) The courtesy runner must be the player who made the last (most recent) out, unless that player has also been designated for a courtesy runner her/himself. In that case the player making the next previous out would be the courtesy runner.
(2) A player designated to have a courtesy runner is limited to a maximum of two bases on any ball they hit. This is to protect that runner's health with respect to the reason that they required a runner. If they require a courtesy runner, and force themselves to run more than they should to stretch a hit ball, the League wants no question of liability in the event of further injury. Exceptions to this rule are if field ground rules (a player hits a home run over the fence, etc.) permit it, the player advances on an error, or the umpire awards the runner an extra base (or bases).
(3) There is always the possibility that a player is injured after the game begins and then requires a courtesy runner. In order for that player to get a courtesy runner from that point on, his/her manager will have to notify the opposing manager and the umpire and designate that player with an asterisk (*) next to their name on the lineup card. If this procedure is not followed, a courtesy runner will not be allowed for an injured player.
g. STARTING COUNT. Each batter will start with a count of NO balls and ONE strike. (S.C.M.A.F. Rules do not impose or suggest a starting count.)
h. FOUL BALL LIMIT. A batter is allowed only one foul ball after they have two strikes on the count. On the second foul ball with two strikes, the batter is out (scored as a strikeout for the pitcher and a putout for the catcher)
i. THE MERCY RULE (when a team is leading by at least twenty runs) applies after SIX innings (5 ? innings if the home team is winning). There is NO mercy rule in playoff games. (S.C.M.A.F. does not have a Mercy Rule.)
2. USE OF INELIGIBLE PLAYERS.
Team Managers are hereby on notice. For safety and legal reasons, should an illegible player (regardless of the reason he/she is ineligible) be used in a game, and any injuries, damages, or other repercussions occur, the manager, assistant manager, or other player acting in that capacity, will automatically become legally responsible for any liability (legal, financial, or other) resulting from the use of that player. This action absolves the League, its President, Board members, and any other managers of any legal responsibility/liability resulting from the use of that ineligible player. Maintenance of manager and player integrity is paramount. Additionally, any time it is discovered by the Commissioner or other Board member that an illegible player is used; the following actions will be taken against the team using the ineligible player, whether or not a formal protest is filed by the opposing manager. Upon notification, the League Commissioner will:
a. automatically forfeit the game of the team using that player whether they won or lost;
b. automatically forfeit the next scheduled game after the time the violation is discovered of the team using the ineligible player. The result of those penalties will assess the violating team two (2) forfeits. Per League rule #16, the next forfeit by that team in that season will cause that team to be suspended from the League for the remainder of that season and the playoffs. Should the violating team have one or two previous forfeits, they would, at that point, automatically be suspended from the League for the remainder of that season and the playoffs.
3. ELIGIBILITY. The League will abide by the following criteria regarding the eligibility of players. Violations of this rule, or use of an ineligible player, by knowledge of a Board member, or if brought to the League in the form of a formal protest, could be grounds for the forfeiture of one or more game and result in the loss of a victory. Maintenance of manager and player integrity is paramount. a. Players must be Jewish, or married to a Jewish person.
(1) Non-Jewish players (not married to a Jewish person):
(a) Non-Jewish players (not married to a Jewish person) participating in the League prior to 2006 will have been "Zaydeed" (Grandfathered) if, and only if, their names have been submitted to the League President in writing and are included on a list of such players.
(b) Players who are on the list of eligible "Zaydeed" players and leave the League for one or more seasons will be removed from that list. Translated, that means that those players will no longer be eligible to participate in the League in the future.
(c) Players in this category who are not so documented, and are not on the "Zaydeed" list are ineligible to participate in the League. Use of such players will result in the forfeiture of the game(s) in which they are used if it comes to the attention of a League Board member or the League President, plus any additional penalties in effect in the League rules.
(2) Non-Jewish players (married to a Jewish person):
(a) Non-Jewish players (married to a Jewish person) are eligible to participate in the League if, and only if, the League president is given those players names in writing along with the Jewish person to whom the respective player is married. However, those players must be married, and not just co-habituating (living together). The names of those players will be kept on a list of eligible players. There is no need for such players to be "Zaydeed".
(b) This is an ongoing submission requirement anytime a new player who is not Jewish but is married to a Jewish person joins a team.
(c) Players in this category who are not so documented, and are not on the list of eligible players are ineligible to participate in the League. Use of such players will result in the forfeiture of the games in which they are used if it comes to the attention of the League President or a Board member, plus any additional penalties in effect in the League rules.
(3) The respective team manager is responsible for notifying the League in writing of players affected by paragraphs 1 & 2 above.
(a). Players may (must) be of either sex (no exceptions).
(b). A player becomes eligible to participate in the League when they reach the age of thirteen (13). However, a minor child, until they become 18 years old, must have a parent at their game at all times when they are playing to be eligible to play in any game. If their parent is not at the game, or leaves the field where they are playing, the minor child is not eligible to participate in a game. This is for liability reasons and there are no exceptions. Violations of this rule, by knowledge of a Board member or if brought to the League in the form of a formal protest, could result in that player's suspension from the League until they reach 18 years of age, and could be grounds for the forfeiture of a game.
(c) If a parent of a minor child is not going to be at a game (for whatever reason); they may assign responsibility/liability to another adult IN ADVANCE. This is accomplished by the completion of a formal League form ("Surrogate Guardian Authorization Form) created by legal council for the League (see last page of League Rules). This form will be dated and signed by: the parent who signed the Minor Liability Waiver Form on file with the League for that minor child, the adult assuming responsibility/liability for that minor child, and the minor child him/herself. To avoid the chance of later challenge, this form should be shown to the opposing manager and given to the umpire prior to the start of the game. The umpire will turn in that form, along with the lineup cards, following the game as is standard practice. This form is valid for one (1) game only, identified by the date on the form. It is intended as a temporary exception to the rule and should not be abused or, in effect, become the rule. The form will be given/Emailed to all managers. All managers are advised to, and should, make a copy of the form to keep on file to be used, obviously, in the event it is needed.
4. OFFICIAL TEAM ROSTERS
(C) a. Official Team Rosters are limited to twenty (20) eligible players.
(1) The (only) OFFICIAL roster is that which is in the possession of the League Commissioner at any given time. Accordingly, no player is officially on a roster, and therefore eligible to play, until at least a (signed/dated) copy of that roster is received by the Commissioner. Players used illegally will not be given credit toward playoff qualification. A copy of the roster signed (obviously) by each player present must be turned in on opening day for those players to be eligible for the next game. Changes (additions/deletions) can be made every week (if necessary) until the date the rosters are "frozen". Copies of the roster (the initial copy and updates) may be hand delivered, "snail mailed", Emailed, or faxed. DOWNLOAD ROSTER HERE
(2) For legal reasons (in the event of injury, damage, etc.), in order to cover the League in the event of a legal action by a player, another party or municipality, the roster, when submitted to the commissioner, will have an ORIGINAL WAIVER FORM attached, signed and dated (by each respective player), for any player to be eligible to play. Managers, make sure that each player completes and personally signs and dates their own form. ANY player not completing this form is ineligible and could cause their team to forfeit their game(s). A list of ineligible players will be provided to each manager on request. If a player plays without a waiver on file, or anyone signs the form for another player, and any legal action should subsequently arise, the manager of that team will assume liability for the League. There is a separate WAIVER FORM in the case of minor players (under 18 years of age), which MUST be signed by BOTH the (minor) player AND one of his/her parents. These forms will be kept on file, and this will be a one-time requirement for each player as long as they remain in the League. Unless, that is, an original Waiver Form is not found on file. In that case the player then will be required to complete, date, and sign another Form to retain their eligibility.
(3) Any subsequent rosters submitted to the Commissioner to add a player (new to the league) will include an ORIGINAL WAIVER FORM signed and dated (by that player) in order for that player to be officially added to that team and be eligible to play. Again, managers are responsible to ensure that each player personally signs their own form.
(4) Open Rosters.
(a) As an incentive to complete the Team Roster in a timely manner, and keep it updated, a team with NO roster on file after the second game of the season will NOT be allowed to play (commencing with their third game) until one is submitted.
(b) In order to allow as many players as possible to play, rosters are open, and changes may be made freely (as long as approved procedures are followed), until a team has played HALF of their REGULAR SEASON games. Rosters are frozen for both regular season games and playoff eligibility at that time. To allow additions after that may adversely affect another team's ability to make the playoffs and/or their seeding.
(c) For a player to be eligible to play in the playoffs, they must have played in at least FORTY percent (40%) [rounded UP from .5] of their team's regular season games. To be credited with playing in a game, a player must have had at least one (1) at bat OR have played in the field for at least one (1) inning.
(C) (d) However, even though rosters may contain 20 players, if, AFTER THE ROSTERS ARE FROZEN, a team's available number of eligible roster players should fall below TEN, the following applies. That team may then add sufficient players (AFTER following the below procedures) to bring their roster to TEN (10) players so that they may continue to field a team for games. Loss of players can be for any reason (moving from area, injuries, etc.) but they must be season ending losses, meaning that the player replaced is ineligible for the rest of the season and the playoffs. Players added under this provision assume the playoff eligibility of the player whom they replace on the roster.
(C) (e) Whenever a roster change is submitted to add a player to a team with the maximum number of players (20) already on their roster, a player must be removed from that roster. Once a player is removed from a roster she/he is ineligible to play for the remainder of that season (including the playoffs).
b. Roster Changes. For legal reasons (in the event of an injury, damage, etc.), to avoid arguments between teams, and the filing of protests to the League, the following procedures must be followed when a player (or players) is added to a roster.
- Rosters should be properly managed and changes should be planned. Therefore, as stated in paragraph 3.a. above, no player can play for a team in an official game until a copy of the roster (including that player) is in the hands of the Commissioner (along with an ORIGINAL WAIVER FORM signed and dated by that player). That will officially add that player to that team's roster. Managers, make sure that each player personally signs their own WAIVER FORM.
- However, circumstances do arise (i.e. a player is unavailable during the week to sign the roster) where a player must be added to a team "immediately" (the day of the game). In that event, the following must happen prior to that player being eligible to play.
(a) Telephone or Email communication should be made with the Commissioner (or a message left on their voicemail) to inform them of the immediate need for a roster change.
(b) Prior to that player's first game, their manager will go to BOTH the umpire and the opposing manager showing them the roster where that player was added with his/her signature, the player's current drivers license for identification, and the ORIGINAL WAIVER FORM signed and dated (by that player). They are then officially added to that team and eligible to play in that game.
(c) For that player to remain eligible, a copy of the revised roster and the ORIGINAL WAIVER FORM signed and dated (by that player) must be received by the Commissioner not later than 11:30 A.M. on the Monday following that game. Failure to do so will result in that team forfeiting that game (see Rule #2) and any other subsequent game until the updated roster and ORIGINAL WAIVER FORM are received.
CHANGING TEAMS. In order to maintain parity in the League during ANY given season, and in the interest of fair play, no player officially on the roster of a team entered in the League may leave that team to play for another team entered in the League. Once a season is completed, players are "free agents" unless they give a commitment to return to their team either verbally or in writing. This will prevent any team from "raiding" another team; especially teams that can ill afford to lose a (quality) player. However, two exceptions to this rule are:
(1) the team for which that player was first signed on the official roster ceases to play in the League during that season; OR
(2) that player receives a written release from the team he was first signed to, signed by that team's manager. Their reason for wanting to change teams can be due to personality conflicts, playing time, or whatever, as long as the manager losing that player is willing to sign the release. That written release must be received by the Commissioner prior to that player being eligible to play for his/her new team. It must also be accompanied by an updated roster of both the gaining and losing teams (showing that that player has been added to and removed from, their respective rosters. Should their manager refuse to sign the release, the matter would then come before the League Board for adjudication.
5. BASES shall be placed at 65 feet. However, if a game is played with bases at any other distance, the game will still be official.
6. EARLY GAMES(at all fields) will start at 8:15 A.M., and late games at 10:15 (unless otherwise announced in writing). There can be one 15 minute grace period, to await the arrival of an eighth eligible player, if necessary, which is to be counted as part of the game playing time. At the end of that grace period the game is officially a forfeit (if the eighth eligible player has not arrived).
7. GAME BALLS: The League will supply teams with official game balls at the start of each season. Each team is to supply the umpire with a new game ball before the start of every regular season game. The League will supply game balls for all playoff games. The game begins with ball #1 (ball #2 may be put into play temporarily at the discretion of the umpire on an as needed basis [e.g. while ball #1 is being retrieved from foul territory, etc.]). Ball #2 will be put into play as the official game ball, at the start of the bottom of the 5TH inning.
8. UNIFORMS (with numbers) are encouraged for all teams, but certainly not required.
9. LINEUP CARDS. Prior to each game, managers will exchange lineups by completing the lineup card (including BOTH FIRST and LAST names), and identifying players requiring a courtesy runner (see rule 1.f.). EACH team will complete a SEPARATE lineup card. The HOME team manager will fill in their lineup on the HOME TEAM side of the card, and the VISITING team manager will complete their lineup on the VISITING TEAM side (including writing in their team name at the top of the respective side of the card). BOTH cards must be completed NEATLY and LEGIBLY prior to the start of game play.
a. The lineup cards are the source from which determination of playoff eligibility (40% of games played) is derived, and illegible cards make it hard to document a player's eligibility. Illegible cards could cause a player to not be credited with playing in a game, and could ultimately disqualify him/her from playoff participation. The umpires will NOT start actual game PLAY until they have the NEATLY and LEGIBLY completed and signed lineup cards in their hand. That means that names will be printed, and signatures signed, LEGIBLY. So the time it takes to complete the lineup card after the scheduled starting time of the game counts as part of your (1 hour and 45 minute) PLAYING time.
(C) b. If a player is not in the starting lineup, their name will not be printed on the lineup card and they will not sign the card at the start of the game. IF a player comes into the game later (obviously as a substitute), their manager will notify the umpire and the opposing manager, and the substitute will be added to the lineup card and sign it at that time in the presence of the umpire. The umpire will indicate on the lineup card who that player replaced and the inning that player entered the game. Managers are encouraged to check the opposing lineup card at the beginning of the game to see how many players are batting (playing) for the other team. This is being done to make it easier to monitor who has played how many games when verifying (40%) qualification for playoff eligibility.
10. NUMBER OF PLAYERS BATTING/FREE SUBSTITUTION. Each manager controls their own on field decisions. They may play/bat as many players as they choose as long as each player is listed on the lineup card in the proper order. Players can not change places in the batting order once the lineup card has been turned in, but may play different defensive positions. [S.C.M.A.F. Rule 6, Section 2 refers.]
11. If a player leaves the game early (for any reason), and there's no eligible player who has not yet played to replace them, their first at bat following their departure WILL be counted as an OUT (the FIRST time at bat only). After that, their place in the batting order will be skipped and not be counted as an out. [S.C.M.A.F. Rule 6, Section2 (g) refers.]
12. SCOREBOOK Each team should keep its own scorebook and verify runs scored in the inning, and the score, with the umpire after each ? inning.
13. PROTESTS Teams wishing to protest a game must notify the UMPIRE AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE THAT THEY WISH TO PROTEST, and have the umpire sign the lineup card acknowledging that the game is being played under protest. If this is not done there can be no protest. Naturally, if the protesting team ultimately wins the game, the protest is moot. If they lose the game, that manager will notify the league in writing (by letter, Email, or FAX) immediately following their game describing the circumstances of their protest in detail. If a teams protest is denied by the League Board, they will be assessed a fine of $25.00. There will not be any charge if the written protest is upheld. A team can NOT protest an umpire's judgement call.
14. UMPIRES The league will arrange for a certified umpire to officiate each game. Each team will pay the umpire $20.00 prior to the start of each regular season game. The League pays the umpires for all playoff games. Should the umpire fail to appear, the two teams will officiate their own game and the winning manager should notify the Commissioner. The game will still be official.
15. RESCHEDULING OF GAMES. In an effort to avoid a forfeited game, an agreement by BOTH managers to reschedule a game is permitted. However, the Commissioner MUST be notified at least 72 hours prior to that scheduled game to provide ample time to cancel the field and umpire(s). If the team initiating the rescheduling fails to provide the 72 hour notice, they will be responsible to pay the umpire's ($40.00) fee by check to the League Treasurer (Barry Katz) (made payable to ORANGE COUNTY JEWISH SOFTBALL LEAGUE) PRIOR to their next scheduled game for that team to play that game. Each team will be limited to only two (2) rescheduled games per Spring/Summer Season, and one (1) rescheduled game per Fall/Winter Season, to avoid mass confusion in the scheduling and rescheduling of games.
16. FORFEITS.
a. Any team failing to show up for a scheduled game (OR does not have at least eight [of their own roster] eligible players ready to play by 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time of their game), without notifying BOTH the Commissioner and the opposing manager at least 72 hours prior to game time, will forfeit that game. The final score will be 9-0 in accordance with S.C.M.A.F. Rule 1, Section 12. The forfeiting team will pay both teams' share of the fee ($40.00) for the umpire who was scheduled to work that game. Checks should be made out to ORANGE COUNTY JEWISH SOFTBALL and must be received by the League Treasurer (Barry Katz) PRIOR to their next game in order for them to compete in that game.
b. If a team does notify the Commissioner and the opposing team manager that they will not be able to field a team for a particular game at least 72 hours before the game, they will not be assessed any charges. However, they will still be charged with a forfeit loss (unless an agreement is reached to reschedule the game per Rule 15).
c. If a team uses a player who, for whatever reason is ineligible, they may be charged with two (2) forfeits for the rules violation. See Rule #2 for further clarification.
d. No team is allowed more than two (2) forfeits in any season. On the occasion of any succeeding forfeit after the second forfeit, that team is suspended from the League for the remainder of that season (including the playoffs).
17. EJECTIONS ANY player ejected from a game for for any reason is suspended for their team's NEXT game (whether it is a regular season game or playoff game). The opposing manager will notify the Commissioner when this happens. The umpire will notify the Chief Umpire who, in turn, will notify the Commissioner. A player ejected from a second game in a season is suspended for the remainder of that season (including the playoffs). Any player ejected for fighting is suspended (upon the FIRST occurrence) for the rest of that season (and playoffs) and can only be reinstated (for future seasons) by the League's Board of Directors.
18. NOTIFYING THE COMMISSIONER.
a. Unless told otherwise, the manager of the winning team (or their representative) will call or Email the score of their game to Ron Gross not later than 11:30 A.M. the Monday following their game. HOWEVER, calling in or Emailing the score directly after the game on Sunday is preferred in order to expeditiously provide the weekly update to all teams. Call the score in to Ron at (714) 379-9345 or Email it to ZaydeRon@msn.com. A winning team whose manager (or representative) FAILS TO CALL/EMAIL IN THEIR SCORE on time will NOT be credited with a win. Their record will instead reflect a "no contest". The losing team will still be charged with a loss. An accurate score must be reported, as it could have an effect on playoff eligibility or seeding by use of the tie-breakers.
b. If there was no umpire at the game, the Commissioner should be told by the affected manager(s) so that the Chief Umpire can be so informed.
c. If a game was forfeited due to a team failing to have a minimum of eight (8) eligible players ready to play, the opposing manager will notify the Commissioner who will then expect a check to cover the field and umpire charges from the forfeiting team. The umpire will be paid by the forfeiting team and notify the Chief Umpire of the forfeit. The Chief Umpire will then notify the Commissioner of the forfeit. If the check is not received prior to their next scheduled game, the forfeiting team will not be allowed to play their next game.
d. The opposing manager, as well as the umpire, should notify the Commissioner if a player was ejected from a game. They should be able to provide the ejected player's name, and the circumstances of the ejection, so appropriate action can be initiated.
e. Whenever there is a change in team manager or assistant manager, and/or if there is a change in any contact information (phone numbers, Email address, etc.) those changes should be forwarded to the Commissioner in the same format as the Managers Roster.
19. RAINOUTS. In the event of rain, the imminent threat of rain, or if the fields are not playable, some games may have to be postponed (rained out).
a. In that event:
(1) The Commissioner or another Board member will, when possible, communicate with the City personnel at the fields on Saturday to see if the fields will be open.
(2) As the MUDLINE is not updated until 7:30 to 8:00 on Sunday mornings, it has proven to NOT be a viable means of communication regarding whether we'll be playing or not. Inform your players to NOT use the information on the MUDLINE as the official basis for showing up, or not showing up, for games. The only possible exception to this would be if it has rained for a period (of days) proceeding the weekend, and the MUDLINE already says on Saturday (or prior to that) that the fields will be closed on Sunday (actually gives the days/dates of the closure).
(3) If it doesn't start raining until early Sunday morning, managers in the area of the scheduled fields, when seeing the rain, should (as soon as practicable) contact the Commissioner so a decision can be made AT THAT TIME whether to attempt to play.
(4) Team managers will be contacted by e-mail or telephone, and informed of the status of the games. It is their responsibility to inform their players (or to have their players call them). A "telephone tree" is recommended for this purpose. We'll try to make a definite decision whether we'll play or not as early as possible (preferably on Saturday). This should avoid the risk of missed communication between the League, the managers, and/or the players, as some of our players travel a good distance.
b. Due to the possibility of several rainouts in a given season, postponed (rained out) games will be rescheduled, possibly as doubleheaders, as soon thereafter as practicable to avoid the completion of one season running too close to the beginning of the next season. This will also ensure that the playoffs begin on their scheduled date, which many players attempt to plan around. The dates/times of these games will be promulgated in the weekly update as far in advance as possible.
20. TIEBREAKERS. In deciding which team(s) will finish in a certain division/position, or who will be the home team in a playoff game in the event of two or more teams having the same records, the following tiebreakers will take place in the order shown.
a. head-to-head competition,
b. run differential in head-to-head competition,
c. won/lost record against the teams with the four best records in their division, or,
d. a coin flip.
21. ALCOHOL ANY team caught consuming alcoholic beverages or using illegal drugs anywhere in the area of the fields OR anywhere in the park grounds (including the parking lots), in violation of respective city, state, county, or federal regulations, will be suspended from the League indefinitely FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE. The suspension will be for at least the remainder of that regular season and playoffs. They will only be reinstated with the approval of the League's Board of Directors and the City authorities in which the offense occurred. This will ensure that the League will not be barred from that city's facilities, as there will not be a chance of a repeat offense by that team.
22. EQUIPMENT To prevent League liability for damage to any equipment/property of the field on which we are playing, NO ONE is to alter, adjust, attempt to fix, or otherwise tamper with ANY PROPERTY/EQUIPMENT (bases, pitching rubber, fences, etc.) not belonging to them. Should anyone violate this rule, and any property/equipment is reported to the League as damaged by the owner/city, the individual(s) causing the damage, and their respective team(s), will assume liability from the League for that damage. They will then assume responsibility for either the expense of replacement or repair of that property/equipment.
(C) 23. PRIZE MONEY. Prize money will be paid directly to the teams finishing first and second in the championship playoffs during the Spring/Summer Season. In the Spring/Summer Season, the first place team, League Champions, will receive $300.00, and the League Runner-up will receive $200.00 to do with as the respective teams dictate. There was no playoff or prize money in the 2007-2008 Fall/Winter Season.
24. PAYMENT OF LEAGUE FEES. All League fees should be paid at or prior to the first game of the season. However, that is not always possible or practicable. Accordingly, a two game grace period is automatically given. All League Fees are due PRIOR TO a team's THIRD game. After that point, a $25.00 penalty per week will be assessed against that team for up to two additional games. After that, a team will be suspended from the league for the remainder of the season (including the playoffs). NO team will be allowed to play their FIFTH game of any season if their League Fees are not PAID IN FULL. Teams may not be given their full supply of softballs until all League fees are paid (including any outstanding fines for late fees, forfeits, etc.).
25. EQUIPMENT.
a. Bats: To protect our players and prevent injuries as best we can, the following guidelines on bats will be followed. In accordance with a letter from the City of Irvine (Community Services Supervisor) dated June 21, 2001, double-walled bats are NOT legal for use in this League. Additionally, we will conform to whatever list the City of Irvine uses to determine which bats are legal and which are not legal. Other guidelines regarding legal bats will be disseminated as appropriate. When/if a question on the legality of a bat is raised at a game; the decision of the umpire in charge for that game is final.
b. Balls: as per vote of the managers at the meeting on September 14, 2003, we will continue to use cork center, .47-.50 cor / .375 compression (or comparable) balls for all League games. This is to prevent injuries to players as best we can. We will also continue to use two balls per game.
26. PLAYOFF OPPONENTS. Brackets promulgated prior to the first game of the playoffs will announce scheduling of opponents for playoff competition, and progression for all subsequent rounds.
SCORES & STANDINGS are updated & published weekly and may be viewed online here:
http://www.munisports.com/sands_index.php?sportID=2&seasonID=2
SCHEDULES are updated & published weekly and may be viewed online here:
http://www.munisports.com/schedule.php?sportID=2&seasonID=2
PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK. By particpating in the Orange County Jewish Softball League, I agree to the following: I am Jewish (or married to a Jewish person) and I am at least eighteen (18) years of age (or in conformance with League Rule 2.c). If I am a parent of a player who is playing pursuant to League Rule 2.c, I agree to the terms of this risk provision on behalf of my minor child and I assume any and all risks and make any and all waivers on my child's behalf. I understand and acknowledge the risks involved and agree that I am solely responsible and liable for all costs associated with or arising out of any and all injuries that I may incur or sustain while playing in or practicing for any games. I waive any and all claims for injuries that I may incur or sustain against the Orange County Jewish Softball League, its officers, the organization under which name I am playing (the team) or its officers, or any other player in the League or organization under which name another player is playing (the team) or its officers. I represent that I have medical insurance or am financially able to pay for medical bills arising out of any injury that I may sustain in connection with playing softball in the Orange County Jewish Softball League.
LEAGUE PLAY MAY BE SCHEDULED AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FACILITIES:
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IRVINE: HERITAGE ATHLETIC PARK BILL BARBER COMMUNITY PARK ALTON ATHLETIC PARK
GARDEN GROVE FIELD |
HUNTINGTON BEACH: GREER PARK EDISON COMMUNITY PARK WORTHY PARK MUNICIPAL SPORTS COMPLEX
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