TORRINGTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

MEN'S AND WOMEN’S SOFTBALL RULES - 2010

 

 

 

ELIGIBILITY RULES

 

1.      Residency

 

a.      All players to play in the league must have full time employment in Torrington or

                  reside in the City of Torrington or reside in the Town of Harwinton. 

b.      Players may also own Real Estate property in assessed value of $l,000.00 or greater.  Vehicles    

or motor vehicles registered in Torrington are not considered eligible.

 

2.      Up to 3 out of town players who do not reside or work in the City of Torrington; or the Town of Harwinton may play on a team.  An additional fee of $25.00 per out-of-town player will assessed at the time of registration.

 

3.      The Torrington Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Sports Committee will enforce all eligibility rules in 2009.

 

4.      Any fraudulent information given on a submitted roster and/or violations of the eligibility rules at any time will result in expulsion from the league.

 

5.      Make sure your players are eligible and legally qualify to play in Torrington.  DO NOT RISK EXPULSION.

 

6.      Any illegal players will result in the expulsion of the manager and player for the current season, in addition to the next season.   Each manager must sign the team’s roster, certifying that all information is complete and accurate.

 

7.      All games that the illegal player played in will be forfeited.

 

8.      The Parks and Recreation Commission’s Sports Committee reserves the right to issue the final decision on any player's eligibility. 

 

9.      At any time a request may be made for a player’s picture I.D. to verify eligibility. The player will have 48 hours to show proof of eligibility, or the team will face suspension and forfeit each game until eligibility is verified.

 

ROSTERS AND SCHEDULES

 

1.      Full payment must accompany the roster.

 

2.      An incomplete roster is unacceptable.  Complete and accurate address, phone and place of employment must be listed for each player.

 

3.      The team's choice of division must be on the roster. 

 

  1. Each team is allowed to carry 20 players and a playing manager.  Team Rosters are required to have 14 players on the roster to be accepted.
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  1. Roster changes must be made IN PERSON at the Parks and Recreation Department.  A player add-on form will be required to be submitted.  All requests for roster changes will be inspected by a review committee.

 

  1. No roster changes by phone, fax or email will be accepted.      

 

  1. There will be a waiting period of approximately one week pending a review of any new players added to team rosters after teams have been placed in divisions.

 

  1. Until the new player is approved, the player is not allowed to play in any league games.

 

  1. Men’s League play should start May 3, 2010 and Women’s League May 10, 2010 (Subject to change).

 

  1. Rosters will be frozen after July 1, 2010.

 

11.  A player can play on only one team in the league each year.  Once a player plays for one team, that player cannot join another team.

 

SCHEDULE CHANGES

 

1.      Once the schedule is completed for the season, including make-ups and playoffs, there will be no changes to the schedules.  No Exceptions Allowed.

 

  1. All teams are responsible to have enough players for all scheduled games, make-ups and playoffs.

 

JEWELRY RULE

 

1.      No jewelry will be allowed.  Jewelry must be removed; taping will not be allowed with the exception of medical alert IDs.

 

2.      The first player in the game that is found to have jewelry on will be allowed to take it off. That will be the only warning given to either team.  The next player in the game from either team that is found to have jewelry on will be ejected from the game.

 

  1. If another player from the same team is found to have jewelry, the game is over and that team will forfeit the game.  Neither of these violations will result in fines or suspensions.

 

Bats – Men’s League:

 

1.      Torrington Parks and Recreation Department will provide bats for all divisions in the Men’s League.  ONLY league provided bats will be permitted for use.  No other bats will be allowed.  The bats supplied by the department will be Easton Stealth Speed XL SSR2

 

Bats – Women’s League:

 

1.      Bats that are not approved by the ASA will not be allowed to be used in a game. 

 

2.      The Park and Recreation Department and its designated representatives reserves the right to confiscate any illegal and/or altered bat.

 

a.      The illegal and/or altered bat will be tested. If this bat is found to be illegal and/or altered, the player will be banned from softball for one year.

 

b.      The game that the illegal and/or altered bat that was used in will be forfeited.

 

3.      If that player is found to be using an illegal and/or altered bat a second time he/she will be banned from the league with no reinstatement.

 

4.      This is an extreme safety issue. The Park and Recreation Department will not tolerate illegal use of any softball equipment.

 

5.      Little League bats are prohibited.

 

6.      The approved bat list can be found in the news and notes section on www.torringtonsoftball.com.

 

 

 

 

SOFTBALL – MEN’S LEAGUE

 

1.      The 2010 Men’s League will use a 40 COR/375 Compression softball

 

SOFTBALL – WOMEN’S LEAGUE

 

  1. The 2010 Women’s League will use a Trump 52 COR / 275 Compression softball.

 

 

EJECTIONS AND PROPER CONDUCT

 

  1. A player ejected from a game may have to appear before the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Sports Committee if deemed necessary.

 

  1. Fines will be set according to incident; suspensions may carry into the following season. 

 

  1. If the player does not have to appear before the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Sports Committee, the fines are as follows: $20.00 and a two game suspension for the first time’ $30.00 and a ten game suspension for second time.  Both fines and suspensions will carry into the following season.

 

  1. The umpire will report all ejections.  All ejections will be posted on the softball website.  Umpire Association will notify Park and Recreation Director.  Recreation office will notify teams of upcoming games involving the ejected player.

 

  1. Fines must be paid before reinstatement. 

 

  1. Any player ejected from a game must leave the playing field and if misconduct continues, officials may order the player to leave the complex or his/her team risks forfeiture of the game and/or expulsion from the league.

 

  1. A player who violates his/her suspension will be suspended for a minimum of 5 games.  The game that the player played in will be forfeited.  Second infraction will result in the individuals' suspension for entire season.

 

8.      Umpires and managers will be responsible for conduct of players during the softball game.  If player or players are found to be acting in an unsportsmanlike manner including swearing or taunting; the manager will be given 1 (one) verbal warning by the umpire.  The second offense in game will result in the ejection of the player or players plus fines as stated in rule #3. If the umpire cannot determine which player on the bench said something, the manager will be ejected.

 

7.      There will be no contact with an umpire. Any participant that makes contact with an umpire will have a hearing with the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Sports Committee about the incident before fines will be imposed.

 

8.      No alcoholic beverages on city owned or leased property.  No smoking or motorcycles on field. Motorcycles must be parked in the parking lots. 

 

  1. All Torrington Park and Recreation staff, officials, employees and umpires are considered to be retained from the time they leave home until they return home following a game.  Physical and verbal abuse at any time will not be tolerated.  Fines and suspensions will be assessed against the individual(s) or team(s) involved.

 

 

SUBSTITUTE UMPIRE

 

  1. If the scheduled umpire does not show up and both teams are in agreement to use a substitute umpire, both scorebooks must be signed by the opposite team’s manager at the end of the game and the winning team must call the score into Sports Palace (telephone #: 489-0912) within 24 hours. 

 

 

PROTESTS

 

  1. All protests must be made on the field to the umpire and then in writing to the Recreation Director no later than 2 business days following the game in question.  Protests must include a $25.00 protest fee.   Any protest that is sustained, the protest fee will be refunded. Teams must sign scorebooks for both teams, as well as the umpire must initial.  The sports committee and umpire association will make the determination on rules.

 

  1. Any protest regarding player eligibility must be made in writing, no later than 2 business days, to the Recreation Director as soon as there is a question regarding a player’s eligibility.  Protests must include $25.00 protest fee.  Any protest that is sustained, the protest fee will be refunded.

 

 

BALLS AND SCOREBOOKS

 

  1. The Parks and Recreation Department will supply all softballs and scorebooks.

 

  1. Teams must use the softballs given to them by the department.  They must be picked up at the Parks and Recreation Department.

 

  1. Any team unable to produce a new, clean ball to the umpire at the beginning of the game will be fined $10.00, which must be paid at the office before the next game, or the game will be forfeited.

 

  1. Each game will start with two new balls. 

 

  1. The second ball is to be inserted in the middle of the fourth inning.

 

RAINOUTS

 

1.      Games that must be postponed because of rain will be posted on the Parks and Recreation Department’s website (www.torringtonct.org) or you can call the Recreation Department’s Hotline at 489-2270 after 3 PM.

 

2.      The umpire will make all decisions about games after 4:30 PM.

 

3.      If the first game of the day is cancelled due to rain or other unforeseen circumstances, all the following games that day will be cancelled.      

 

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COURTESY RUNNERS

 

1.      If a team needs a courtesy runner it will be stated before the start of the game.  Only one player can have a runner to start the game. The runner will be the last batted out.

 

2.      If an injury occurs during the game, then the injured player can also have a runner for the entire game. Only one injured player is allowed a Courtesy Runner per game on each team.

 

9 PLAYERS

 

  1. A team may start the game with 9 players.

 

  1. The line-up will include ten players and the vacant position will be counted as an out when it is due up in the batting order.

 

  1. When that position in the line-up comes up and the tenth player has not shown up, the spot will be an automatic out. 

 

  1. When the tenth player shows up he/she must be inserted into the line-up immediately.

 

5.      A team may finish a game with as few players as possible.

 

6.      If the line-up goes below 10 players, each vacant spot in the line-up will be an out.

 

7.      If the line-up goes from 10 to 9 players because of an injury, the spot in the line-up will be an out.

 

TEAMS MAY USE 2 EXTRA HITTERS

 

1.      Both extra hitters are considered position players and can move between defensive positions and the EH spots.

 

2.      The batting order stays the same when extra hitter becomes a defensive player and they switch.

 

3.      If any extra hitter leaves the game and cannot be replaced by a player that has not played in the game, that spot in the lineup becomes an out, unless the player is injured.

 

4.      Teams may bat 11 or 12 batters in their lineup, only if it is designated so at the beginning of the game.

 

5.      Once the game starts, teams may not add an extra hitter or hitters to their line-up.

 

SCOREKEEPERS

 

1.      Each team will supply a scorekeeper. The scorekeeper will meet with the umpire between innings to agree on the score.

 

2.      The Umpire is responsible for reporting the scores of all games.

 

 

CLEATS AND SHOES

 

1.      Only rubber spike cleats will be allowed; no metal spikes at all - NO EXCEPTIONS.

 

DOUBLE FIRST BASE

 

  1. All fields will be using a double first base.

 

BATTING PRACTICE

 

1.      No batting practice near home plate.

 

GRACE PERIOD

 

  1. A 10-minute grace period is allowed for 6:00 PM games only on Monday through Friday.

 

BASERUNNER INTERFERENCE

 

1.      When a defensive player has the ball and the runner remains on his feet and crashes into the defensive player, the ball is dead and the runner is out. 

 

2.      Each other runner must return to the last base legally touched at the time of the interference.

 

3.      If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender shall be ejected. 

 

4.      An errant throw drawing the defense into the path of the runner and contact is made, the runner is not out.

 

5.      To prevent the out ruling, the runner may slide, jump over the defender holding the ball, go around the defender or return to the previous base touched. If the runner slides, it must be a legal slide.

 

6.      When the ball, runner and defensive player arrive at the same time and place, and contact is made, this is neither interference nor obstruction. If the umpire determines the contact to be flagrant, the offender shall be ejected. This applies to both the runner and the defensive player.

 

7.      If the defensive player is not in possession of the ball and impedes the progress of a runner legally running the bases, obstruction shall be called. When play is over, time shall be called and base(s) awarded that in the umpires judgment would have been obtained had there been no obstruction. Interference supersedes the obstruction rule.

 

 

APPEAL PLAY

 

1.      Once the ball has been returned to the infield and time has been called, any fielder, including the pitcher and catcher, with or without possession of the ball, may make a verbal appeal on a runner missing a base or leaving a base too soon. 

 

2.      The plate umpire should then make a decision on the play.

 

  1. Base runners cannot leave their bases during the period, as the ball remains dead until the next pitch.

 

 

RE-ENTRY RULE

 

  1. Any player may be substituted or replaced and re-entered once, provided players occupy the same batting positions whenever in the lineup.

 

  1. Players may not re-enter a second time. 

 

  1. The starting player and their substitute may not be in the line-up at the same time.

 

MERCY RULE

 

  1. After 4 1/2 innings of play, a team leading by 15 runs will be declared the winner.  The home team, if losing, will always have a chance to bat.

 

SPEED UP RULE

 

  1. The pitcher will be allowed three (3) warm-up pitches only, no matter when he/she enters the game.

 

  1. The pitcher has 10 seconds to pitch the ball.  If the pitcher is not ready to pitch within 10 seconds, the batter will be awarded a ball every 10 seconds until pitcher is ready.  If the batter is not ready within 10 seconds, the pitcher will be awarded a strike every 10 seconds until the batter is ready.

 

THROWING A BAT

 

  1. If a Player throws a bat, that player, at the discretion of the umpire can be ejected from the game.

 

FIRST PLACE TEAMS

 

1.      If a team comes in 1st place in the regular season, the next season the team will move up a division.  In some cases other teams may also move up.

 

ASA RULES

 

  1. The Leagues are governed by the Official ASA Slow Pitch Softball Rule Book and all rules within said rule book are superseded by any rule outlined within this text.

 

INJURIES

 

1.      The City is not responsible for any injuries of players or game officials.

 

PLAYOFFS

 

1.      During the playoffs, the top seeded team will be the home team.

 

2.      During the second round and championship series the top seeded team will be the home team for the 1st and if needed the 3rd games and will be the away team for the 2nd game.

 

3.      Any team having two forfeits will NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR PLAYOFFS.

 

 

MENS LEAGUE RULES

 

1.      The ball, when pitched, must be delivered with a perceptible arc and reach a height of at least 6’ from the ground while not exceeding a maximum height of 12’ from the ground.

 

2.      Batters will start with a 0 - 0 count.  A foul ball on the third strike, the batter is out.

 

3.      Men must be 16 years of age or older to participate.

 

4.      Walk Off Home Runs - All home runs hit over the fence will be a walk off home run.  Players will need to touch first base only.

 

5.      Home Run Limit Rule - A team will be allowed to hit 5 home runs in a game.  Any home runs after 5 will result in an out.

 

6.      The top six teams in each division will make the playoffs or teams with an 8-8 record or better.  The first round of the playoffs will be a single elimination format.  First and second place teams will get a bye in the first round.  The second round of the playoffs will be best of three.  First place team will play the winner of the fourth place and fifth place game and the second place team will play the winner of third place and sixth place game.  The winners will play each other in a best of three championship series.

 

WOMENS LEAGUE RULES

 

1.      Women have to be 14 years of age or older.

 

2.      Each team will play 14 regular season games.

 

3.      Modified Pitch - There will be no third strike foul out rule.

 

4.      All women catcher’s masks must have a throat protector.

 

5.      The top six teams in each division will make the playoffs.  The first and second round of the playoffs will be a single elimination tournament format. First and second place teams will get a bye in the first round.  First place team will play the winner of the fourth place and fifth place game and the second place team will play the winner of third place and sixth place game.  The winners will play each other in a best of three championship series.

Adoption of pitching rule from 2005

A pitcher cannot have their hand, or elbows go above the shoulder during the windup, otherwise this will be considered an illegal pitch.  Also the hips and shoulders should remain square to the plate during delivery of the ball.  The ball cannot be delivered in an arc that exceeds 10 feet in height.

 

Ground rules for Joe Ruwet Field:

Any ball that lands on a fly on the blacktop in left field shall be considered a home run.  Any ball that bounces from the grass to the blacktop shall be considered a ground rule double.

 

 

THE TORRINGTON SOFTBALL WEBSITE

 

The website is an online resource for all players, managers, sponsors and anyone else interested in the city’s recreation softball program.

 

The website includes updated information on schedules, standings, scores of games, make-ups, rules, photo galleries, plus a message board forum discussion area.

 

Please visit the website at:

www.torringtonsoftball.com