2008
SILVER LEAGUE
PLAYING RULES
RAINOUT #
330-848-6784
May 12, 2008
SILVER LEAGUE
SLO-PITCH
SOFTBALL
2008 RULES
PURPOSE OF THE SILVER LEAGUE:
The purpose of the Silver League is to
give men 45 years of age and older the opportunity to compete in the great game
of softball within the guidelines of fun, fitness and competitive
sportsmanship.
PERSONAL LIABILITY:
The Silver League
does not provide liability insurance. It is the responsibility of each player
to purchase insurance to protect Himself.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:
Alcoholic beverages in open containers are
not permitted at any field where a Silver League game is being played.
DRESS CODE:
Complete Silver
League uniforms must be worn for each game. The uniform will include the League
assigned cap and shirt, which must be tucked into the pants, approved solid
gray shorts/pants, white socks, and shoes (molded plastic or hard rubber
cleats are acceptable). Metal spikes are not permitted.
Managers are responsible for their team
players following the Dress Code. If the Silver League Uniform is not worn, the
player will be considered out of uniform and his manager will give him a
warning. A second offense will result in his manager asking him to leave the
game until he gets into complete uniform. The manager will inform the opposing
manager of the accidental nature of a dress code violation if the player is
permitted to play out of uniform.
Our league must,
and will present a good appearance at all times. Any perceived intentional and
persistent Dress Code deviations should be referred to the Board of Directors
for further action.
ASA RULES:
Silver League
rules will super-cede ASA rules.
THE PLAYING FIELD:
Twenty Foot Commitment Line – A three foot line will be drawn in foul territory perpendicular
to and abutting the third base line, 20 feet from home plate. A runner from
third base who touches or crosses this 20 foot line must continue to the runner’s
home plate and cannot return to third base. A runner cannot be tagged out after
crossing the 20 foot line, and can only be forced out by a defensive player in
possession of the ball touching the pitcher’s home plate or the strike zone
mat before the runner touches his home plate/line.
A runner from third base will use the
Runners Home Plate/Safety Line - a scoring home plate, 65 feet from third base
and 8 feet from the back tip of home plate on an extended line from first base.
Or, a safety line may be drawn from the home plate perpendicular to third base,
extending 8 feet into foul territory for the runner to cross.
First
Base/Double Bag – A double bag of equal size (15”x30”) shall be used at
first base. The double portion of the bag shall be orange in color and be in
foul territory abutting the original. A batter/runner must use the orange bag
on any first play on them at first base, or be called out. Defensive players
must use the original bag at all times. Batters/runners may use the original
bag when not being played on.
PRE-GAME:
Prior to the start
of the game, both managers and the umpire will discuss ground rules.
Each team is responsible for keeping its
own score book, except in instances where scorekeepers are provided. Both
scorekeepers must agree on the score at the end of every half inning in which
the score changes.
Each manager will exchange line-ups with
the opposing manager/scorekeeper 10 minutes prior to the scheduled game
starting time.
THE GAMES:
Length – All Blue and Gold Division games are scheduled for 7 innings and will be played
in their entirety.
All Red,
White and Silver Division games
will be scheduled for 7 innings, or one hour and 15 minutes duration. At 60
minutes after the umpire starts the game and when the next inning is not
the seventh inning, the umpire shall declare the next inning to be the last
inning.
Completed
Games – A completed game is 7 innings, 6.5 innings if the home team is ahead.
A game called by the umpire due to time, darkness or bad weather, will be a
completed game if 5 innings (4.5 innings if the home team is ahead) have been
played. Games stopped before 5 innings are not completed and shall be
replayed in their entirety.
Suspended Games –
A game stopped because of
bad weather or darkness with the score tied at the last complete
inning, will be a Suspended Game. If the
game is suspended after 5 innings and the score is tied after the last complete
inning, the game will be completed from the point of suspension. If a game is
suspended after the completion of 7 innings and the score is tied, the tie
breaker procedure will be used when the game is resumed.
Five
Run Rule – When a team scores 5 runs in its half inning, their turn at bat
is ended. This Five Run Rule does not apply to the 7th inning or
beyond, or to a last inning imposed by a time limit.
HOMERUNS – All teams will play under one
(1) home run + one (1) up single rule. The first ball hit over the fence will
count as a homerun. Subsequent balls hit over the fence by the same team will
count as singles until the opposing team has hit a ball over the fence
(homerun). Base runners will only advance one (1) base per single over the
fence. The Red Division will play under a two (2) up single rule. A ball
hit over the fence will NOT count as a homerun if the hitter’s run exceeds the
five (5) run limit. This rule shall continue throughout the entire game.
Tie
Breaker – At the conclusion of the seventh inning or last inning, and the
game is tied, the two managers and the umpire will meet at home plate and
review the Tie Breaker Procedure. If the correct tie breaker is not followed,
the eighth or extra inning will be restarted. When the game is tied after
completion, each team will start their half inning by placing a designated
runner on second base. This player may be the designated runner only once in
any extra inning game. The designated runner is defined as
different than a pinch runner in the same game. This procedure will
continue until an inning is completed and the score is not tied. No manager, or
member of the Board of Directors, should allow a team to start the tie breaker
incorrectly.
PLAYERS:
Number –
Each team must have 8 Players available to start. If a team has less than 8
Players to start on time, a grace period of 10 minutes for a late start time
will be permitted.
Red and White Divisions- Maximum of 10 players may play defense.
Managers are to call their
division representatives 24 hour prior to their scheduled game for a 10th
player, if the manager sees he will have less than 10 players.
Silver, Gold and Blue Divisions- Maximum of 11 Players may play defense.
Managers are to call their
division representatives 24 hours prior their scheduled game for an 11th
player, if the manager sees he will have less than 11 players.
In all divisions, the opposing manager will not supply a courtesy
catcher if the manager fails to call his Division Representative for a player
or players 24 hours prior to their scheduled game.
*The Division Representative will be final authority in these
matters.
If the Division Representative cannot get a player for players
and/or a player becomes injured during the game and is unable to continue to
play, the opposing team will supply a courtesy catcher.
Each player
must be registered before playing a game. Any team that permits a
non-registered person to play will forfeit their game that day or any days of
league games using unregistered player.
Substitute
Player – When the division representative has made arrangements for a
substitute player to fill-in, the substitute player shall play even if one of
the players what was declared as being unable to play shows up. Both players will
be in the line-up. Substitute players will bat at the end of the batting order.
Late arriving players will bat after all players that were there before them.
Defense
Catcher – If a defensive catcher is allowed and a regular team member shows
up and provides the team with the correct amount of fielders. (10 in the Red
and White Divisions and 11 in the Silver, Gold and Blue Division) the defensive
catcher will no longer continue n the game. Catchers will be in complete Silver
League uniform.
Any new
players coming into the league will be assigned to a team at the discretion of
the Division Representative.
To be assigned to a team a completed registration form must be on file and the
registration fee paid in full.
Defensive
Players – Free substitution is permitted. Defensive players may leave the
game and return later at the same or different positions. Team managers are
responsible for each team member playing at least three defensive innings per
seven in a game. Failure by managers to comply with the 3 out of 7 defensive
innings may result in action by the Board of Directors.
Injured
Player – A player injured during the course of the game and unable to
continue to play will not be declared out when it is his turn to bat. The other
players shall move up a line in the batting order. A player who declares
himself unable to play at the beginning of the game is ineligible to enter the
game after it started. Any player unable to play defense shall not bat.
Batting – All team
members reporting to the game will be in the batting rotation. Players arriving
after the game has started shall be added after the last batter in the original
starting batting order. An intentional walk is done verbally with the umpire.
Bunting is prohibited. A batter will be called out on the first foul ball after
two strikes. Balls and strikes are judgment calls and as such cannot be
appealed. Any un-hit, legal pitch hitting home plate, or the mat, will be
called a strike.
A strike zone mat
shall be used and shall have a vee-shaped notch (90 degrees) that conforms to
the backside of home plate.
Bats imprinted
with “BPF 1.20” may be used. Titanium alloy and Miken Ultra I bats have been
ruled to be illegal. Bats imprinted with “Exceeds BPF 1.20” are not legal. Wooden
bats so marked “Official Softball” that meet the 2.25” ring test shall also be
considered a legal bat. Any player ejected for using an illegal bat will be
suspended for that game and one more.
Base Running – A
pinch runner is a substitute runner from the same team. A pinch runner may be
used after a batter has safely reached first base. The batter is allowed to
remain in the game. In the Red and White Divisions you may only have two
pinch runners per inning. An individual player may be a pinch runner only once
per inning. In the Silver, Blue and Gold Divisions, an individual may be a
pinch runner an unlimited number of times, but is limited to only once per
inning.
In order to be
replaced by a pinch runner, the batter, after reaching base, must consent to be
replaced by a pinch runner. If he so chooses not to be replaced, a pinch runner
may not be used at that time.
In the event the
pinch runner on base is scheduled to bat, an automatic out will be declared.
The runner is out at the base he reached and he may take his turn at bat,
unless there are three outs.
No substitution
of a courtesy runner by another courtesy runner is allowed unless he gets
hurt. An injured player may not re-enter
the game. Also, if the batter or base runner requires a courtesy runner, the
batter or base runner may not be a courtesy runner for another player in that
inning. An illegal courtesy runner will be called out.
Any runner must
hold his base until the batter makes contact with the ball. Runners should not
be called out if a batter swings and misses. Runners should return promptly to
their base when required.
APPEAL PLAYS:
Time Limit – All
appeal plays are governed by the playing rules and as such must be made before
the next pitch or before all the fielders, including the pitcher, have crossed
the foul line.
GENERAL RULES:
Protests – A
protest must be based on a misrepresentation or misapplication of the rules and
not on the umpire’s judgment. Only the manager and player involved can discuss
the questionable play; others will be considered as misconduct. Any protest
will be settled with the umpire during the game before play is resumed. If the
protest cannot be settled at the game, a written protest may be submitted to
the Board of Directors within 48 hours. A $20.protest fee must accompany the
letter. If the protest committee rules against the protest, the money will be
placed in the Silver League treasury.
Misconduct
– Misconduct is any act by a manager, coach, or player that brings
discredit to the league.
A.
The penalty for
misconduct is ejection from the game and
Forfeit of his right to play in his team’s next game to follow.
B.
An ejected manager,
coach, or player must leave the playing area.
C.
All ejected players names
will be provided to the Division Representative, immediately. He will then
notify the opposing manager of the next scheduled game. Failure to do so will
result in forfeiting of the game if ejected player is involved.
The umpire’s judgment determines the
misconduct or gross misconduct.
Gross
Misconduct – Gross misconduct is pushing, shoving, striking, fighting,
dangerous or violent play, or any other act by a manager, coach, or player
involving an opponent, spectator, or umpire.
The penalty for
gross misconduct is ejection from the game and suspension for the next four
games. The ejected player or players must leave the playing area.
The umpires have
the authority to forfeit a game, if, in their judgment, the offense warrants
that action.
Situations
– If a player experiences a situation that he believes would inhibit his
being part of the Silver League, he may ask that the situation be reviewed by
the Grievance Committee (Appointed by the President). This application and
reason must be in writing.
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS:
League champions will be determined by a
single game playoff between the winners of each half. If the same team is the
winner of each half, they will be declared the league champion. The winner of
the half is the team with the best win/loss record. If two or more teams are
tied with identical records, the tie breaker will be as follows:
1. Head-to-head competition.
2. Least runs allowed head-to-head.
3. Least runs allowed overall.
Home team determination in playoff game
will be by coin flip.
All teams in each Division will be
included in any post season tournament unless the Champion has won both half
seasons. If a team wins both half seasons they will be omitted from the post
season tournament. The home team is to be determined by coin flip.
PITCHERS BOX:
A pitchers box
consisting of the area from the front of the pitchers plate, 50 feet from home
plate, and extending back six feet perpendicular to the pitchers plate shall be
used. The pitcher must release the ball after coming to a complete stop with
one foot or both feet in contact with the pitchers plate or within the pitchers
box. One foot must remain in contact with the plate/box when the pitch is
released with an underhand motion. A step simultaneous with the release of the
ball may be taken in any direction, with the free foot. The pitcher must be facing
the batter with the ball in front of his body and is required to deliver a
pitch within ten (10) seconds after the batter is set in the batter box. The
catcher must remain within the lines of the catcher’s box until the pitched
ball is batted, touches the ground or home plate/mat, or reaches the catchers
box.
Effect
– Allows the pitcher to release the ball from 50 feet to 56 feet from home
plate.
BLUE DIVISION
MANAGER PHONE
B-1 Mark’s Custom Carpet Carl
Dimengo 330-869-0158
B-2
B-3 William Dauch Concrete Ralph Branca 330-798-0990
B-4
B-5 Angie’s Italian Restaurant Robert Smith 330-494-8695
B-6 Reverse Mortgage Tom
Powers 330-
B-7 C & S Magnetic Therapy Tom Cross 330-
GOLD DIVISION
G-1
G-2 Don Nelson – Physicians Mutual Russ Vitale 330-929-0878
G-3 Welfley Technologies Don Welfley 330-929-2281
G-4
G-5
G-6 Kaiser Permanente Jay
Sullivan 330-836-1876
G-7 Steven A.
Dimengo Esq. Jarrell
Morgan 330-983-5107
Buckingham, Doolittle
& Burroughs
SILVER DIVISION
S-1 Hiney Printing Tom
Shaffstall 330-699-0638
S-2 Rapid Auto Robert Redvine 330-880-4461
S-3 C. H. Williams Construction Fred Schordock 330-666-4341
S-4
S-5 Russ Pry
S-6 U A W Local 122 Fred
Christ 330-773-8769
WHITE DIVISION
W-1 Firestone Credit Union Fred Swartz 330-730-7052
W-2 Robert’s All-Stars Denny
Heflin 330-622-9735
W-3 Jim & Sons Transmission James Musgrave 330-724-9348
W-4 A. C. E. Ready Mix Ron Chafe 330-628-5717
W-5 Computer Time Rent-To-Own Bob Hanshaw 330-745-9858
W-6 Greenview Inn Alan
Kurzweil 330-959-3298
RED DIVISION
R-1 Coin Laundramat Jim
Adams 330-806-6464
R-2 U A W Local 122 Mark
Klein 740-815-1176
R-3 Dave Seckinger Insurance Mike Haney 330-877-5534
R-4 Sheriff Alexander Len
Huddleston 330-819-4010
R-5 Family Hearing John
Swihart 330-668-1136
R-6 Judge Linda Teodosio Bill Knapp 330-605-7579
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
President – Glen Bole (330-899-9983)
Vice President – Dave Parravani
(330-310-5719)
Treasurer –
Gene Stanik (330-896-4789)
Division Representatives
Blue Division – Frank Eisemon
(330-633-5122)
Gold Division – Ho Hoffman (330-336-3958)
Silver Division – John Eustice
(330-346-0542)
White Division – Ken Spoerndle
(330-688-9231)
Red Division – Mike
At Large (Day) - Gene Stanik (896-4789)
At Large (Evening) – Mike Logan
(330-877-6875)
Past President – Ed Pancoast
(330-945-5606)
President Emeritus – Mike Staschak
(330-801-0090)
www.silverleaguesoftball.com