Slow Pitch Softball Rules
SPRING/SUMMER 2010 SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL RULES
RULE AMENDMENT AS OF 4/16/10:
1) METAL CLEATS ARE PROHIBITED! FOR SAFETY PURPOSES - RUBBER SPIKES are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. Players not on the Membership List will be denied participation - NO EXCEPTIONS!
Captains must keep their Team's Membership List current.
New Players must submit a completed waiver to the League Office by NOON on Friday before game day.
Completed waivers & photos can be e-mailed to: LLLeagues@aol.com as a PDF file.
IMPORTANT:
A) Retain a copy of your current Membership List for yourself at your office.
B) A current Membership List must be brought TO EACH GAME incase you have a new Umpire.
C) If neither Captain is able to attend, a "substitute" Captain must bring a Team's Membership List to the game.
2. ANCHORED BASES (rather than floating bases) will be used at ALL positions.
3. FOR SAFETY PURPOSES - RUBBER SPIKES are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
4. Runners must slide or avoid collision in close plays at 2nd, 3rd or Home to AVOID CONTACT with Defensive
Players. Runners are "Out" if, in Umpire's judgments, contact with Defensive Players could have been avoided.
5. Lead Offs WILL be allowed for our the "A,B and C" Divisions - see Rule #2 under Runners.
6. The LLL Player Code of Conduct shall be followed BEFORE, DURING & AFTER all games.
7. Players must print their Full Names legibly when signing in on the League Sign-In Sheets.
8. Only balls supplied by the League will be used for safety and consistency among all teams.
9 . All bats must comply with eligibility criteria & be clearly marked "Official Softball Bat".
Attached is the MOST RECENT BANNED LIST AS OF 8/1/09. .
10. A, B, & C DIVISIONS: A Legal game may start with each team having at least five (5) players, one of which must be an attorney.
By the beginning of the 2nd Inning, both teams must have six (6) players, three (3) of which must be attorneys. Otherwise, the game will
revert to a "Sanctioned" Game and continued to be officiated.
COED DIVISIONS: Refer to separate, attached "COED" Rules for New Legal Game Definition.
11. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME..there is NO GRACE PERIOD. Umpire's time is "official" game time!
12. Players must play in a minimum number of games in this season for their team advancing to Playoffs as follows:
10 game schedule = min. of 3 games, 9 game schedule = min. of 3 games, 8 game schedule = min. of 2 games
13. No player (including Free Agents) may play for more than one team in the same League.
Otherwise, the second game the player participates in will automatically be considered a "Sanctioned" Game.
MEMBERSHIP LIST ELIGIBILITY
TEAM MEMBERSHIP LISTS: consist of players with a completed waiver on file in the League Office. ONLY players on a Membership list IN THE POSSESSION OF YOUR LEAGUE OFFICIAL are eligible to participate. Players not so listed are ineligible and will be DENIED participation on site - NO EXCEPTIONS.
TO ADD A PLAYER: A player must submit a completed waiver to the LLL Office by 12 NOON on FRIDAY. Upon receipt, the League Office will process the waiver and fax an updated Membership List to the Team Captains.
REMINDER:
A) Retain a copy of your current Membership List for yourself at your office.
B) A current Membership List must be brought TO EACH GAME incase you have a new Umpire.
C) If neither Captain is able to attend a game, a "substitute" Captain must bring a Team's Membership List
to the game
CAPTAINS: It is imperative to GIVE this updated List to your Official so your new player is eligible to play.
WAIVERS: 1) be read and signed by the player 2) be witnessed 3) legible copies and/or signatures of these documents:
ATTORNEYS: A) Submit Driver's License AND B) VERIFICATION: Submit State Bar Card
LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS: Submit Law School ID
EMPLOYEES: A) Submit Driver's License AND B) VERIFICATION BY HR MGR (bottom of waiver)
IMPORTANT: Completed waivers and photos can be E-MAILED to: LLLeagues@aol.com as a PDF file
ELIGIBILITY OF PARTICIPANTS
No player (including Free Agents) may play for more than one team in the same League.
Otherwise, the second game the player participates in will automatically be considered a "Sanctioned" Game.
ATTORNEYS
Members of a Bar in any State, are eligible to play on any team in the League.
"Attorney" Status is also granted to:
A) Law School Graduates
B) Currently enrolled Law School Students
FREE AGENTS
Attorneys, Current Law School Students or Law School Graduates may register as "Free Agents".
EMPLOYEES
Paid employees, 18 years or older, may only play with the firm for which they work. (Firm Sponsored Team)
Upon leaving a firm, employees may continue to play with their previous employer for the remainder of the current season. For the next season, they may only play with their new firm if they complete a NEW Waiver.
Staff employed by a firm, other than the Firm Sponsored Team, may play "under the umbrella" of an attorney
from their own firm IF: 1) The attorneys' and employees' names appear on their Team's Membership List.
2) Attorneys must play in at least 2 games to validate their employee's eligibility this season.
TEAMS
Two or more firms may combine as a "CO-SPONSORED" Team, if eligibility rules are followed.
Teams are ineligible to play until all fees are PAID IN FULL.
ABILITY LEVELS
The League reserves the right to evaluate the ability of teams/players.
To maintain the registered Ability Level in each league, only one player per team may "Play Down" one Division.
Ex: ONLY 1 "A" player may play on a "B" team, but not on a "C" team; Only 1 "B" player may play on a "C" team.
Both teams that compete in the Championship game must advance to the next highest Division for the next season of play.
PENALTY
A player in violation of any eligibility requirement will cause their team to FORFEIT ALL GAMES played with this player. The team will be placed on probation for one year, due to the use of this illegal player! The team will be ineligible for any awards and may NOT participate in any Playoffs for that season.
LANDAU LAWYERS LEAGUE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE PARTICIPATION OF PLAYERS OR ANY TEAM AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LEAGUE COMMISSIONER OR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
GENERAL RULES
1. Either the Captain or the Co-Captain of a team MUST be an attorney.
2. Teams are ineligible to play until all fees are PAID IN FULL. League Fees are non-refundable.
3. Team requests to change schedules CANNOT be honored after receipt of the League schedule.
4. "Blood Rule": Players will be denied participation until blood has stopped and any signs of blood are covered.
Captains must bring ice and band aids to every game.
5. Smoking, drinking, and drugs are PROHIBITED at every facility-including parking lots.
6. Because the permit expires 5 minutes after the last game, teams must pick up any debris and leave the premises
immediately following their game.
7. Team members must read and abide by the attached PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT. Any player violating a rule
in the PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT will be subject to suspension for two games or expulsion from the League.
8. Ejected players must leave all areas of the premises immediately! The ejected player will be automatically
suspended for a minimum of two games.
9. After 5 innings of play, if a regulation game cannot be completed, the League Office will make the final
decision as to whether or not the score will stand or if the game will be continued at a later time.
10. Problems with school/parks will be handled by OFFICIALS - not Captains or players.
11. Only CAPTAINS may consult the Umpires to discuss rules, to lodge a complaint or to protest. Players should voice any concerns
through their Captains. REMINDER: Judgement calls can not be protested!
GAME RULES
The following standards of the LANDAU LAWYERS LEAGUE supplement the regular Slow-Pitch Softball "Rules of Play" authorized by "SMAF". In cases of conflict, these rules take precedence over "SMAF" Slow-Pitch Rules.
1. Prior to the first "at-bat", Captains must sign the MEMBERSHIP VERIFICATION for all players present. Captains must verify "Late" players players by the end of the game.
2. The "Visiting" team, listed on the left side of the schedule, shall supply a NEW ball as the "game ball". The "Home" team shall bring a new NEW ball, as back up, to each game.
3. ONLY Softballs distributed by the League Office may be used.
4. All bats MUST be marked "Official Softball Bat" and meet eligibility criteria as indicated on Page 10 -
NON-CONFORMING BAT LIST - www.laparks.org/dos/sports/softball.htm for updates.
5. Donuts are not permitted on site.
6. FOR SAFETY PURPOSES - RUBBER SPIKES are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Uniforms are not required.
7. No jewelry is to be worn.
8. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME..there is NO GRACE PERIOD. Umpire's time is "official" game time! All players must be signed in BEFORE the scheduled game time and be ready to play when the Umpire announces the start of game. A "Delay of Game" will result in the Umpire accessing an "OUT", on the team in violation, at their first "at bat". Once declared a "Forfeit" - it so remains.
No inning may start AFTER one hour and 5 minutes from the announced start of the game. A game shall last for
7 innings or 1 hour & 5 minutes - whichever occurs first. If an inning starts before 1 hour and 5 minutes playing
time has elapsed, that inning shall be completed.
9. If an Umpire fails to appear for any League Game, the game will be rescheduled and all players must leave the
field immediately. Captains should contact the League Office the following morning (Monday) with a list of players
who showed up to the Field so they may receive participation "credit" toward Playoffs.
10. No more than 10 players on the field at one time.
11. One player MUST play the catcher's position if the team has 9-10 players. At his sole discretion, the Umpire
MAY play the catcher's position if the team has 6-8 players, without affecting the game. If the Umpire
chooses to catch, his participation shall be limited to returning the ball to the pitcher/mound, after the ball is
not in play.
12. Substitution is permitted at any time, providing the "SMAF" rules are followed. Prior to the start of the game,
the Umpire must be notified which system of substitution will be used.
13. "MERCY RULE": The game is called after 5 innings if a team is behind by 10 runs. If the Umpire decides a
team deliberately does not score the 10th run, they will be forced to score that run and the game will be called.
LANDAU LAWYERS LEAGUE TIE-BREAKER
Rule will be used to break ties "on the field"
A. ONE additional inning will be played.
B. Captain chooses: a Base Runner for 2nd base, Three Players to bat and SCORE &/or ADVANCE players.
C. The other team will do the same, when they are up to bat.
D. The inning is over when:
1. The 3rd Batter has scored
2. The 3rd Batter is Out.
3. All Runners are unable to Advance and Time is called.
The team that scores the most runs will win and break the "tie". If after the Tiebreaker, the teams are still tied with the same number of runs, the team who advances their player(s) the most bases breaks the tie and wins the game. If no team scores a run or advances a player farther than the other, the above procedure is repeated until the tie is broken.
NOTE: 1) NO INTENTIONAL WALKS (3 pitched balls and no pitched Strike) are allowed.
Penalty: Batter will be awarded Second Base, if he is intentionally walked.
2) NO TIME-0UTS are allowed.
PITCHERS/BATTERS
1. Pitchers are allowed only 3 "warm-up" pitches" at the start of game and NONE are between innings. More
warm-ups are allowed on the side when your team is at bat. There is a 30-second time limit between innings.
Pitchers must deliver the ball to the Batter at a moderate speed. Each pitch must reach a height
greater than the Batter's head at the high point of its' arc, which is unlimited, and hit the plate/
extension to be considered a "Strike". The Umpire will declare a "Ball" if a ball is pitched too fast
or at an improper arc. If the Batter tries to hit such a ball, the Pitched Ball is deemed a "legal pitch".
2. Each player starts his/her turn at bat with a "One & One" count- 1 BALL & 1 STRIKE. With two more Strikes,
the Batter is "Out". A total of 1 Strike and 2 Foul balls or 3 Foul balls during any one turn at bat is an "Out".
3. "BUNTING" or "CHOP HITS" are not allowed. Penalty: Batter is "Out" and all runners must return to bases.
4. Teams may intentionally walk an opposing player by stating to the Umpire that the player is to be walked.
There is a limit of 2 Intentional Walks per team per game.
5. A "Dead Ball" is when: 1) a pitched ball lands outside the "Plate" area 2) Catcher catches a pitched ball in the air.
RUNNERS
1. ANCHORED BASES (rather than floating bases) will be used at ALL positions.
2. Runners in the "Coed" Divisions may not leave their base until AFTER the ball is HIT by the
Batter. A Runner is called "OUT" if he/she steps off the base BEFORE THE BALL IS HIT.
3. Runners in the "A", "B" & "C" Divisions may:
A. "Lead off" when the Pitcher releases the ball, but must return to the base if the ball is not hit by the Batter. No base may be "stolen".
B. Return to the base without liability in a "Dead Ball" situation, per Game Rule #5 above.
C. On lead offs, if a ball is overthrown at any base, Runners must retouch the base before advancing at risk.
D. Runners can be tagged out, if off any base.
4. DOUBLE BAG RULE:
A "Double Bag" will be used at First Base. The INSIDE HALF (WHITE) of the base is to be used by the First Baseman and the Runner will use the OUTSIDE HALF (ORANGE).
Exceptions: 1) When the ball is hit in outfield, Runners may choose to touch either PART of the Double Bag, as runner advances to Second base. IF IN DOUBT- THE RUNNER SHOULD TOUCH THE OUTSIDE HALF.
Note: If a throw pulls the fielder into foul territory the batter/base runner may, without penalty, use the white portion of the double bag and the fielder may use the orange portion. This is to prevent a collision or tripping of the batter/base runner caused by the fielder extending their leg across to the orange bag to contact the white
bag. This exception is only permissible on the initial play at first base.
5. LOOSE BAG RULE:
A Runner sliding into a "Loose Bag" must take the position of where the bag would be, if stationary on the field, and NOT follow the bag. If the Runner tries to advance, "their area of safety" is to return to the ORGINAL place of the bag. After the play, the bag must be returned to its proper place.
6. "Forced Play" is always in affect and legal at any base.
7. Runners must slide or avoid collision in close plays at 2nd, 3rd or Home to AVOID CONTACT with Defensive Players. Runners are "Out" if, in the Umpire's judgement, contact with Defensive Players could have been avoided. Runners in a Double or Triple Play must either slide into their base or move out of the way of the Defensive player trying to throw for the 2nd or 3rd out. Runners who do not comply with this rule shall be called "Out", if the Umpire rules that the fielder could have completed a Double Play. This call cannot be protested.
8. Base Runners, who in the opinion of the Umpire, deliberately and obviously charge a Defensive Player, resulting in bodily contact, may be ejected from the game & field and cannot be protested. They will be out 2 games.
9. Courtesy Runners: There is no limit of Courtesy Runners/team. A team who elects a Courtesy Runner
must use last batter called "Out" as the Courtesy Runner. An injured player may return to the lineup once the
Courtesy Runner has completed running the bases or the side has been retired. Once an injured player runs for
themselves, they can no longer have a Courtesy Runner.
10. If a Runner is hit by a ball, within the baseline, before it touches a Defensive Player, the Runner is automatically "OUT".
11. "Lines" & bases belong to Runners. Fielders must stay off bases & baselines unless making a play with ball.
OFFICIAL GAMES
Legal, Sanctioned and Team games are "Official" games and are fully officiated by the Umpire,
as the regulation game that it is, and the Players Code of Conduct must be followed by all the players.
NOTE: Teams may ONLY use a field (under LLL's permit) for Official Games. Forfeited Games are not played!
NOTE: "COED" Teams should refer to separate, attached "COED" Rules.
LEGAL GAMES
A Legal game may start with each team having at least five (5) players, one (1) of which must be an attorney.
By the beginning of the 2nd Inning, both teams must have six (6) players, three (3) of which must be attorneys.
Otherwise, the game will revert to a "Sanctioned" Game and continued to be officiated.
SANCTIONED GAMES ARE OFFICIAL GAMES (NO Points Deducted)
SANCTIONED GAMES may be played when either team meets ANY of the following conditions at
GAME TIME:
1. has less than five players on the Field
2. has no attorneys on the Field
3. uses players from the opposing team or another LLL team that has already played that day in the same League
BENEFITS : No points are deducted from Standings and both teams enjoy a recreational workout..
LLL "TEAM" GAMES
Team games are played amongst players from the same team when their opponent isn't available for a scheduled game. Only players on a Team's current Membership List are eligible to participate in a Team Game.
LEAGUE STANDINGS BASED ON A POINT SYSTEM
WIN = 2 POINTS AWARDED "FORFEIT ON THE FIELD" = -2 POINT DEDUCTED
LOSS = 0 POINT AWARDED "FORFEIT IN ADVANCE" = -1 POINTS DEDUCTED
SANCTIONED GAME = 0 POINT AWARDED "NO CALL & NO SHOW" = -4 POINTS DEDUCTED
STANDINGS FOR "BYE" LEAGUES
Records are compared in each League after ALL teams have played the MAXIMUM number of EQUAL games.
If the number of games played is NOT EQUAL, then the LAST SCHEDULED game played (not rescheduled games) by the team who has the "extra" game will be DROPPED in comparing Records for the League Champion. Scores of rescheduled games are recorded on the original date scheduled to be played.
Ex.: Team #2 is scheduled to play 10 games while Team #7 is scheduled to play 9 games.
Only the FIRST 9 games scheduled will count toward final standings for all teams in that league.
FORFEITS (Points Deducted)
A team will be dropped from the League without refund, upon the 3rd forfeit..
"FORFEIT ON THE FIELD"---TWO POINTS (-2) DEDUCTED FROM TEAM'S STANDINGS
"FORFEIT-IN-ADVANCE"-----ONE POINTS (-1) DEDUCTED FROM TEAM'S STANDINGS
Call made to the Office and to Opponent BY 4:30 PM Friday before game.
"NO SHOW" FORFEIT----------FOUR POINTS (-4) DEDUCTED FROM TEAM'S STANDINGS
NO CALL is made to Office &/or Opponent.
ANY type of Forfeit disqualifies a team from receiving the "Phil Landau Sportsmanship Award".
"FORFEITED" games are NOT played as teams cannot use a Field under LLL's permit without an Official.
To AVOID FORFEITS:
1) Contact ATTORNEYS from the "FREE AGENTS" LIST (Legal Game)
2) Contact the LEAGUE OFFICE for more players or for help with a "Sanctioned Game" so points will not be lost.
WEEKLY POSTING OF STANDINGS
On Wednesdays in the Daily Journal and weekly on L.A. County Bar website (www.LandauLawyersLeague.com ) the Standings, MVPs, Home Run Hitters will be posted with their Team Names and number of runs scored from each league. Printing legibly on the sign-in sheets is required to guarantee correct information.
PLAYOFFS
Semi-Finals will be held on Sunday, August 8, 2010
Finals will take place on Sunday, August 15, 2010
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY FOR PLAYOFFS
Players must compete in a minimum number of games in this season for this team advancing to the Playoffs as follows:
10 game schedule = AT LEAST 3 GAMES
9 game schedule = AT LEAST 3 GAMES
8 game schedule = AT LEAST 2 GAMES
"Participation" is verified from sign-in sheets. "Signing In" is mandatory, even in "Sanctioned" games and "Forfeits on the Field".
Note: Players who have participated in at least one game prior to a "forfeiture" by an opponent" will receive one game's "credit" from the 'forfeiture" toward their eligibility.
TEAM SELECTION FOR PLAYOFFS
1) "First Place" teams, based on highest number of points in Standings, from each ability level per League will advance.
1A) Ties for "First Place" Teams in the same League will be broken in this order:
1. "Win Loss Records will be compared - highest percentage of wins will advance
2. Records against "Common Foes"
3. Any type of forfeit during the season
4. Sanctioned games
5. A "Draw from a hat"
2) "Wildcards" with the highest percentage of wins when compared with teams in the same League and/or Division will advance.
2A) "Draw from a Hat"
CLARIFICATION OF 1ST ROUND PLAYOFFS
"When a team is not eligible to participate in the First Round of the Playoffs, the next deserving team will be invited to participate in their place. If the next deserving team is not available, then teams will be invited to participate in order of highest percentage of wins until a deserving opponent is secured for the First Round. After the First Round has begun, if a team is ineligible to continue/advance in the Playoffs, their opponent gets a "win" and automatically advances to the next round."
TROPHIES/AWARDS
First Place Trophies will be awarded to the top team of each LEAGUE
Championship Trophies will be awarded to the winners of each DIVISION.
Awards will be presented to the MVP of each Championship Team.
"Phil Landau Sportsmanship" Plaques will be awarded to the team in each League that is most deserving.
ALL-STAR GAMES
Top players of the season in all divisions will compete in a All-Star Game at the end of July.
More details to follow.
TWO (2) AMENDMENTS TO "COED" RULES AS OF 4/16/10:
1) METAL CLEATS ARE PROHIBITED! FOR SAFETY PURPOSES - RUBBER SPIKES are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
2) RUNNERS IN "COED" MAY:
"Lead off" when the Pitcher releases the ball, but must return to the base if the ball is not hit by the Batter.
No base may be "stolen".
Return to the base without liability in a "Dead Ball" situation.
On lead offs, if a ball is overthrown at any base, Runners must retouch the base before advancing at risk.
Runners can be tagged out, if off any base.
SPRING/SUMMER 2010 COED SOFTBALL RULES
TEAMS ON THE FIELD
There is a limit of 10 Players on the field. In Coed Softball, there is no limit to the number of female players that may participate at any time during the game, but not to exceed the total of 10 players.
LIMIT: THREE MALE PLAYERS MORE THAN FEMALE PLAYERS on the playing field at any time.
Examples of Players on the Field: 3 Women-6 Men; 4 Women-6 men; 5 Women-8 Men
LEGAL GAMES
A LEGAL GAME may start with each team having at least FIVE (5) players, ONE (1) of which must be an attorney AND ONE (1) which must be a female player.
By the beginning of the 2nd Inning, both teams must have SIX (6) players, THREE (3) of which must be attorneys AND THREE (3) of which must be female players. Otherwise, the game will revert to a "Sanctioned" Game and continued to be officiated.
NOTE: If teams start with one or two female players, during the 1st inning, an "Out" will be declared each time the "missing" female players would be at bat. Thereafter, if a "Sanctioned" Game is declared, the alternating gender batting rotation does not apply.
If one of the THREE (3) required women is injured during the game, the team proceeds to play without her.
When the injured woman's position comes up to bat, an automatic "Out" will be declared per SMAF rules, unless she is replaced by another female.
SANCTIONED GAMES ARE OFFICIAL GAMES (NO Points Deducted)
SANCTIONED GAMES are played when either team meets ANY of the following conditions at GAME TIME:
1. has less than five players on the Field
2. has no attorneys on the Field
3. has no female players on the Field
4. uses players from the opposing team or another LLL team
INFIELD
No Fielder may enter INSIDE THE BASELINES until the ball is HIT by the Batter.
Penalty: The batter is awarded First Base unless he/she reaches it safely on their own.
INTENTIONAL WALK
A male batter will be awarded Second Base, if he is intentionally walked. This is up to the discretion of the Umpire. Base runners advance only if forced to leave their base.
BATTING ROTATION
The Batting Order MUST ALTERNATE BETWEEN Men & Women throughout the game, including "Tie Breaker" innings, regardless of:
1. The total number of players batting
2. The respective NUMBER of male or female batters
3. Whether or not a continuous line-up is used
Example: A team has 10 men (Numbered 1-10) and 4 Women (Numbered A-D) Batting Rotation will be:
1-A 2-B 3-C 4-D 5-A 6-B 7-C 8-D 9-A 10-B 1-C......etc.
COURTESY RUNNERS
A Courtesy Runner is defined in the enclosed Slow Pitch Softball Rules. This runner must be of the SAME GENDER as the player for whom they are running, whenever physically possible per Umpire's discretion.
LANDAU LAWYERS LEAGUE TIEBREAKER - SEE LAST GAME RULE
Coed teams must alternate gender: If a FEMALE is placed at 2nd Base, the Batting Order is M-F-M
If a MALE is placed at 2nd Base, the Batting Order is F-M-F.
Non-Conforming Bat List
To view the Banned Bat List, click here.