Information on the Diamonds View a list of sponsors Rules that we play by See us at play View board members Read meeting minutes Email us Application to join club Return to home page

 

SUN CITY GRAND SOFTBALL CLUB RULES

Approved by Board October 4, 2006. Updated 3/02/07 & 11/01/07 & 2/01/08 & 5/15/08

These rules apply to all Divisions unless otherwise noted herein. For rules pertaining to substitutes, substitute runners, overrunning bases and other matters refer to individual rules.

Official ASA rules apply unless amended by one or more of the following rules.

All rules/schedules should be implemented for the benefit of our league play. Tournament play is secondary. Tournament games should be played after league play or league practices or on days when there is no league play.

RULE 1. DIVISIONS:

  1. There will be 2 or 3 playing divisions for each of the Fall & Winter sessions.
  2. Playing Divisions for summer and Saturday sessions will be decided by the Board, based on number of players available.
  3. Teams will be formed based on the number of players available, and Club ratings.

RULE 2. ROSTERS:

  1. Rosters will be no more than 13 per team during the Fall/Winter Season. This may be increased by the Board for any season.
  2. Players must be rated by the Club’s rating committee before they will be assigned to a roster.
  3. Players who have registered , paid their dues and been rated at least two weeks prior to a draft will be assigned to teams.
  4. Players registered , paid and rated after the date set in Rule 2, para.c will be assigned to a sub list in the appropriate Division according to rating.
  5. If a team’s roster falls below 12 players the Division’s Commissioner will assign a player or players from the Division’s sub list, with a rating as close to the rating of the player being replaced as possible.
  6. Players failing to appear for 6 consecutive games may be dropped  from the team roster at the manager’s discretion and with Commission approval.
  7. Players who do not inform their manager that they cannot play and do not arrive at the field to play may be dropped from the roster for the next game by the manager.
  8. All roster players, dressed in the approved uniform and ready to play, shall play both offensive and defensive positions. Every player     must play a minimum of 3 innings defensively unless a player is physically unable to play the field.

RULE 3. LENGTH OF GAMES:

  1. A team may not score more than five runs in an inning, with the exception of either the 7th inning or the last declared inning, in which case unlimited runs may be scored.
  2. All games are scheduled for 7 innings or 75 minutes in length, all divisions. At the 60 minute mark in all of the games, the scorekeeper, who will be supplied with a timer, will be responsible for notifying the home plate umpire.
  3. The plate umpire will inform the two managers as follows :
    1. If the game is between innings the new inning will be the last inning and the unlimited run rule will apply.
    2. If an inning has already started, the following inning will be the last inning and the unlimited run rule will apply. If the game ends in a tie, either at the end of the 7th inning or at an earlier inning as a result of the time limit, there will be one additional inning played. The player who made the last out of the previous inning will start the additional inning at 2nd base and must reach 3rd base before a pinch runner is allowed.
     

RULE 4. PROTESTS:

  1. Protest of interpretation of a playing rule must be made prior to the next pitch or before all infielders have left fair territory. If on the last play of the game, the protest must be made before all umpires have left the playing field.
  2. If a decision cannot be rendered by the game’s umpire – in –chief (home plate umpire) at the time the game is being played the protest will be forwarded to the Division’s Commission for a decision. If the Commission cannot make a decision the protest will be forwarded to the Board who will make a decision.  Protests that are upheld may result in game forfeiture, player and/or manager suspension, probation or warnings. Protests not upheld will not result in any penalty. 

RULE 5. CONDUCT:

DEFINITIONS:

  1. “ Individual” means a Coach, Manager, Player or Spectator.
  2. “ Official” means an umpire including the Division’s Head Umpire, a Commissioner or a Board member.
  3. “Ejection from the game” and “ Suspension “ means ejection from and suspension from using the playing field, the grandstands, scorekeeping tower, the Ramada area and the grassy area containing the practice pitcher’s mound.
  4. “ Probation “ means that a Club Member is under scrutiny and can have his or her penalty increased to the maximum or beyond if another incident takes place.

No individual shall:

  1. At any time lay a hand upon, shove, strike or threaten an individual or official.
    1. Minimum Penalty : Removal from the game, plus two additional game suspensions and one year probation.
    2. Maximum Penalty : Banned from all Sun City Grand Softball activities for one year.
  2. Be guilty of objectionable demonstration of dissent by throwing gloves, balls, bats, caps, or any other object.
    1. Minimum Penalty: Warning by an official.
    2. Maximum Penalty: Ejection from the game, plus one additional game suspension.
  3. Be guilty of using unnecessary rough tactics in the play of the game.
    1. Minimum Penalty: Ejection from the game, plus one additional game suspension.
    2. Maximum Penalty: Suspension for 12 months plus 6 months probation after reinstatement.
  4. Be guilty of an abusive verbal attack upon any individual or official on or off the field of play.
    1. Minimum Penalty: Ejection from the game plus two game suspension plus one year probation.
    2.  Maximum Penalty: Suspension for 12 months plus 6 months probation after reinstatement.
  5. Be guilty of any demonstration of unsportsmanlike conduct not specifically referred to elsewhere in these rules.
    1. Minimum Penalty: Warning by an official.
    2. Maximum Penalty: Ejection from the game plus two game suspension.
  6. If a Club member is on probation when another incident occurs ,the penalty can be increased to the maximum or beyond, by the appropriate Commission, or by the Board.
  7. If a Club member is suspended and is found to be playing on another team the player will be ejected from the game and the penalty for the original violation can be extended to the maximum or beyond by the appropriate Commission, or by the Board. The severity of the infraction will determine the penalty, which will be determined by the appropriate Commission or by the Board, within a reasonable period of time.
  8. Team shirt, Club or team sponsor cap, gray pants or gray softball style shorts must be worn. No black pants, no long sweatpants, no other style or color of shorts or metal spikes may be worn. Substitutes will wear their regular team’s shirt when subbing , unless they are not on a team roster in which case they will wear a solid color T shirt in place of a team shirt. It is recommended that for team appearance and unity, shirts should be worn tucked in. No watches, rings except for wedding bands, or earrings will be worn. Neck chains, if worn, must be worn under the shirt at all times.
    1. Upon the first violation of Rule 5, para. 8 by a player, there will be a warning by the manager, who will inform the Division’s Commissioners. The player will be allowed to play that day.
    2. Upon a second violation the manager will notify the Division’s Commissioners. The player will not be allowed to play that day.
    3. Upon a third violation, the manager will notify the Division’s Commissioners, the player will not be allowed to play in that day’s game and will be suspended for an additional game. At this time, the manager may also receive a one game suspension.
  9. The consumption of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited on the playing field, grandstands, scorekeeping tower, rest rooms, grassy area containing the practice pitcher’s mound, and the grassy area outside the 3 base line fence. Violation by a player or umpire will result in ejection from the game, and suspension from the next game the violator’s team plays. Violation by a spectator will result in the spectator’s removal from all areas where alcoholic beverage is prohibited.

RULE 6. GROUND RULES:

  1. A ball which has been legally hit by a batter and comes to rest under an outfield vinyl panel is in play.
  2. A home run is any ball that is hit out of the park in fair territory, or hits a foul pole above the fence. A ball that strikes the outfield fence including the top of a column in fair territory, or the block wall supporting the " Field of Dreams " sign ,and bounces back onto the field is a ball in play. A ball that "on the fly" strikes the scoreboard or any other object which is out of the park and in fair territory then bounces back onto the field is a home run.
  3. When a home run is hit, all runners on base must advance at least one base.
  4. Pitchers may throw from anywhere within a six foot box behind the pitching rubber.
  5. No one and one strike/ball rule to be used unless implemented by the Board.
  6. The mercy rule shall be implemented when one team leads by twelve or more runs after five innings.