**BERA SOFTBALL**

**RULES**

**AND**

**REGULATIONS**

**2007**

**INDEX**

**[Section Title]{.underline} [Page]{.underline}**

Leagues 3

Teams and Players 3

Fields 4

Postponed/Cancelled/Forfeited Games 5

Score reporting/Umpire Evaluation Sheet 6

Umpires 6

Aggressive Play 7

League Fees 7

The Game 7

The Field 12

**A.** **[Leagues]{.underline}**

1)  The number of team entries will determine the league structure. The
    Executive Board will evaluate entries and recommend league
    structures. Final decisions will be made by the Executive Board.

2)  New team placement will be left solely to the Executive Board.

3)  Prior to the beginning of the softball season each league will
    determine its playoff structure by vote of its team captains.

4)  

5)  The "Official USSSA Slow Pitch Playing Rules and By-Laws" for
    softball will be provided to each team. All leagues shall abide by
    the section "Master's Rules". These Rules and By-laws will be the
    basic format for the BERA Softball league with some exceptions as
    described within this document, which will take precedence in the
    event of conflict.

6)  This document is available on the Web at
    <http://www.bnl.gov/bera/softball/lrules.html>.

7)  The BNL Softball League is intended for RECREATIONAL play.

8)  League E1 is a fun league for employees only, male and/or female,
    and is structured in such a way to encourage fun play with a lower
    level of competition. Employees is defined as active and retired
    employees of BNL, BSA, the Brookhaven Area Office of the Department
    of Energy, persons with BNL or BSA guest or visiting appointments,
    and employees of permanent on-site employers (such as the cafeteria,
    credit union, Upton Post Office, etc.).

9)  League M1 is a competitive mixed league for BERA members. See Teams
    and Players.

10) League M2 is a less competitive mixed league for BERA members. See
    Teams and Players.

**B.** **[Teams and Players]{.underline}**

1)  Players must be BERA members. Refer to:

2)  <http://www.bnl.gov/bera/linkable_files/Administrative_Manual_3-11-04.pdf>

3)  If an ineligible player is used, appropriate actions may be taken
    which could include forfeiture of game, player and / or team
    ejection from the league with no refund.

4)  The Executive Board will determine roster or player eligibility in
    the case of a dispute. The League representatives and league
    secretary will hold the official rosters. The web roster is not to
    be used as the official roster.

5)  If, in the event a new team is formed with eight (8) members (4 male
    and 4 female in the Mixed Leagues) from a team that was in existence
    from the past season, the new team will be placed according to the
    team's past record. The new team will receive the benefits of the
    previous team.

6)  Additions to team rosters must be made by notifying the League
    Representative at least two (2) days before game time. League
    Representatives will then notify the Secretary. In order to avoid a
    forfeit, teams' that have a shortage of players may use players not
    associated with any team in their league as long as they are
    eligible players. The opposing team captain is encouraged to agree.

7)  Each player is permitted one change of roster per season. If the
    player is moving to a team in the same league, this must occur prior
    to the mid-point of the season for the team that the player is
    leaving. Mid-point is defined as half of the scheduled games.

8)  Players can be added to a roster at any time. However, if a player
    is added after the mid-point of the season they are not eligible for
    the playoffs. This may differ for each team due to unforeseeable
    circumstances such as rainouts. The midpoint of a team's season is
    defined as when that team has played half of their scheduled games.

9)  Eligible players may participate in every league.

10) Players' Pool applications and requests may be made by contacting
    the League Secretary and/or the Web Master.

11) No one is permitted to play in the Softball League after termination
    of employment. unless defined as a BERA member.

**C.** **[Fields]{.underline}**

1)  Softball fields are to be used on a "First Come/First Served" basis
    during the off-season. No field reservations are required.

2)  If fields are switched for any reason, notification must be made to
    the League Chairman. It is up to the team captains to notify the
    umpire of the field change.

3)  Vehicles are not permitted on the in-field at any time, for any
    reason.

4)  Vehicles are not permitted to be parked on the side-lines. You must
    park in the designated areas.

5)  Golf playing is not permitted on any of the fields, in-field or
    out-field.

6)  If several fields are unplayable, the lowest numbered field will
    move to the next higher numbered field available for play.

(For example, if Field #1 is unplayable and Field #6 is available for
play, the teams originally scheduled for play on Field #1 will move to
Field #6. Any excess games will be postponed.)

**D.** **[Postponed/Cancelled/Forfeited]{.underline}**
**[Games]{.underline}**

1)  Rain Outs -- The Recreation Staff shall inspect the fields and
    evaluate the weather conditions to determine safety of play and/or
    cancellation of games. The Recreation Staff will make the
    determination no later than 3:15 pm, notify the umpires and League
    Chairman and record the information on the Rainout Hotline no later
    than 3:30 pm.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Team Captains, Please instruct team members not to contact the
  Executive Board, BERA Board Members or the Recreation Staff for Rainout
  information. Call the Rainout Information Hotline after 3:30 pm. If
  there is no new message, or an old message it means the scheduled games
  are not cancelled.

  **Call the Softball Hotline AFTER 3:30 PM**

  **Softball Hotline Ext. 2737**
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

2)  Postponement of games by individual teams is not permitted.

3)  If a postponement is needed, the individual teams must petition the
    Executive Board by e-mail ASAP or a least one (1) week prior to the
    scheduled game. State in the e-mail the league, teams involved and
    the reason for the requested postponement.

4)  Reasons for requested postponement may include but are not limited
    to: special conferences, emergency overtime, or any other unusual
    unscheduled special duties. It may not include regular shift work.
    In special cases, if team members must respond to some work related
    emergency, and were informed by their supervisor less than 72 hours
    prior to game time, special consideration may be given.

5)  The executive Board will review the request, ascertain its validity
    and make the appropriate arrangements to reschedule.

6)  Information about rescheduled games will be made available by e-mail
    to the team captains and on the BERA Softball Web Page at least
    three (3) business days prior to the date the game is to be played.
    Games will be rescheduled at the discretion of the Executive Board.

7)  In other cases, if a team wishes to cancel a game, a forfeit shall
    be declared. However, that team must notify the League Executive
    Committee as soon as possible to avoid umpire fees that would
    otherwise be charged to the League. In the case of a forfeit the
    team that forfeited will be held responsible for the umpire fee.

8)  The maximum number of forfeits is limited to two (2). If a team
    forfeits three (3) times, they may not be permitted to participate
    in the remainder of the season including playoff games. Players may
    join existing teams as per rules listed under "Teams and Players"
    section.

**E.** **[Score Reporting / Umpire Evaluation Sheet]{.underline}**

1)  The Home team captain is responsible for presenting to the umpire
    the Score Reporting Sheet at the pre-game meeting. The umpires have
    been instructed to ask for the sheet and sign it.

2)  The winning team is responsible for the score by phone or e-mail to
    the League Representative within 24 hours of the game. The League
    Representative is responsible to relay that information to the
    League Secretary and the Web Master.

3)  The official game Score Reporting Sheet must be sent to the League
    Representative. A win will not be credited to a team until the Score
    Reporting Sheet is received.

4)  If there are problems which include protests or umpire complaints,
    the Score Reporting Sheet MUST be filled out and HAND DELIVERED on
    the day following the game to the appropriate League Representative.
    You must follow USSSA rules for a protest. (See Rule 4 Section 11.)

**F.** **[Umpires]{.underline}**

1)  In the event an umpire does not show up for a scheduled game, anyone
    is eligible to umpire with the agreement of both Team Captains. The
    game will be considered a legal game. The league will financially
    compensate the substituting umpire at the same rate the league pays
    the USSSA umpires. In order to avoid make-up games, it is suggested
    that the game be played. Notify the League Representative and/or an
    Executive Committee member that an umpire did not show up and who
    acted as the substitute.

2)  

3)  A Pre-game meeting shall be held prior to the game with the umpire
    and the team representative to review the rules.

**G.** **[Aggressive Play]{.underline}**

1)  BERA has established a zero tolerance policy towards unsportsman
    like conduct or aggressive play. Managers, coaches, or players will
    be suspended for fighting, abusive tactics, abusive language,
    un-sportsman like conduct, or unbecoming acts that are determined to
    be detrimental to BERA Softball. Umpires will determine game
    conduct. The League Executive Committee will determine consequences.

2)  In the event of a disputed play or decision, managers or coaches
    must control their players. Managers or coaches may consult game
    officials; players will not take part in the discussion.

**H.** **[League Fees]{.underline}**

1)  Fees shall be determined prior to the beginning of each season by
    the team captains. Fees are payable in full approximately 6 weeks
    prior to the start of the season.

2)  Teams whose fees are not paid in full by the deadline established by
    the League Treasurer may not participate in the League. The team
    members may join other existing teams.

**I.** **[The Game]{.underline}**

Official USSSA Slow Pitch Playing Rules and By-Laws shall be used unless
exceptions are made in this document. A USSSA Rulebook is provided to
each Team Captain at the beginning of each season and it is their
responsibility to have it available at each game.

> **1) [Equipment]{.underline}**:

a)  The only softballs to be used are those issued by the League through
    the Recreation Office, with no exceptions. Softball shall be a 12"
    softball with a Coefficient of Restitution (COR) no greater than
    0.40, a mid compression of 375 lbs. and ASA Certified. The Home Team
    is to provide a new game ball. The Visiting Team shall provide a
    "good quality" backup ball.

b)  All catchers are required to wear a catcher's mask. Refusal to do so
    will result in a team forfeit. To prevent injury it is strongly
    recommended that all protective equipment be worn, including
    helmets.

**2) [Regulation and Double-Header Games:]{.underline}**

a)  A regulation game shall consist of seven (7) innings with no time
    restriction. Games are scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM. The game must
    begin within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, 5:45 PM., or a
    forfeit shall be declared on the team not prepared to play.

b)  Double Headers will be two (2) seven inning games with a time
    restriction for the first game of one (1) hour and fifteen minutes
    past the scheduled start time, and no time restriction on the second
    game. There will be a five (5) minute break between the two games.

**3)** **[Designated Legal Number of Players:]{.underline}**

a)  Employee Leagues: A team must have a minimum of eight (8) players to
    start a game. The maximum number of players is twelve (12).

b)  Mixed Leagues: A team must have a minimum of four (4) female and
    eight (8) total to start a game. The maximum number of players is
    twelve (12). There is no minimum number of male players.

    Players who arrive after the start of the game may be substituted in
    or added to the end of the batting order. If a team is short players
    it is recommended that the opposing team assist by providing a
    player for the short-handed team. If the opposing team can not or is
    unwilling to supply a substitute player a player can be recruited
    from other teams and can play any position.

**4) [The Batter:]{.underline}**

a)  The batter is out after three (3) strikes or after the second foul
    ball after the second strike.

b)  The batter walks after four (4) balls.

c)  In the mixed leagues, when a male batter receives a base on balls,
    he will be awarded First and Second base with the next female Batter
    having the option to walk or bat. (See USSSA Rule 21, Sec.4.)

d)  Mixed league teams must alternate female and male players in the
    batting order. In the case of four (4) female and five (5) male
    players on a team, the last female batter who made out as batter
    shall bat again as the fifth female batter. In the event that no
    female batter has made out, the last available female in the batting
    order will bat. In the case of five (5) or more female and four (4)
    or less male players, two (2) females must bat consecutively in the
    batting order.

e)  The on-deck batter (any offensive player, except base runners,
    batter and coaches), shall remain behind the safety fences until
    there is a possibility of a play at the plate, or time has been
    called. Failure to do so will be deemed unsportsmanlike conduct.

**5) [Base Runners:]{.underline}**

> Courtesy runners are allowed for injured players only. The runner
> shall be the last batter to make out as a batter, or the last
> available person from the bottom of the order, if no outs have been
> made. Runner and batter shall be the same gender in the mixed leagues.
> Runners are not permitted for a batter at home plate. The intent of
> this rule is to avoid injury, not to gain a competitive advantage.

**6) [Substitutions:]{.underline}**

a)  The captain of a team shall advise the opposing team captain of
    substitutions when made.

b)  The Substitution rules are to avoid forfeits by technicality and not
    to encourage teams to play short of players.

c)  This Rule is to be applied only when USSSA Rule 5, Sec. 5 is not
    possible. A player, who is not a legal substitute, may be inserted
    in the line up. This is allowed only if there is an unanticipated
    departure or injury.

d)  The team wishing to make the substitution must allow the opposing
    team captain to select from the remaining available team members.

e)  Once a player leaves the game, due to injury, that player may not
    return into the game.

f)  If a team begins a game with 10, 11 or 12 players and losses a
    player and has no team members available to substitute, the hole
    created in the batting order will be skipped over with no penalty
    applied. Except in the mixed league where a two (2) male players are
    not permitted to bat in consecutive order. Teams in the Mixed
    Leagues which begin with twelve (12) players and lose a player the
    extra male or female player shall be removed from the batting order.

g)  If a team is reduced to fewer than eight (8) players a forfeit will
    be declared.

> 7\) Scoring and Commitment Lines, Strike Zone Mat, Safety First Base
> and Outfield Arc:

a)  A scoring line will be used in all leagues. The scoring line will be
    drawn from the Home Plate to the backstop perpendicular to the Third
    Base Foul Line. The runner must touch the ground on the Home Base
    side of the Scoring Line before a defensive player has possession of
    the ball while making contact with Home Plate to be safe. If the
    runner touches the Home Plate, the runner is automatically out. If
    there is an attempt by the Defensive Team to tag the Runner, the
    Runner is automatically safe.

b)  A commitment Line will be used in all leagues. A commitment Line
    shall be marked in Foul Territory halfway between Home Plate and
    Third Base from the Third Base Foul Line to the fence perpendicular
    to the Third Base Foul Line. Once the Runner touches the ground on
    or past the commitment line, Defensive Players can put out the
    Runner by touching Home Plate while holding the ball. The Defensive
    Player is not permitted to touch the Runner once the runner is past
    the Commitment Line.

c)  A Catchers Zone Mat will be used. The mat will be 17 inches wide and
    24 inches long measured from the end of the mat to the tip of each
    side that abuts the backside of Home Plate. The end of the mat that
    abuts Home Plate shall have a "V" shaped notch that will conform to
    the outline of the backside of the plate. Together, Home Plate and
    the Catchers Zone Mat will form a rectangular shape 17 inches by
    32-1/2 inches. In order to avoid injury to the Catcher the catcher
    shall not infringe in the vertical zone created by the Catchers Zone
    Mat. Infringement will be considered catcher interference and the
    batter may be awarded first base. The determination of infringement
    shall be determined by the Home Plate Umpire.

d)  As per USSSA Rule 2, Sec. 4 "***The black border that outlines the
    plate is NOT to be considered Home Plate***."

e)  A Safety Base at First Base will be used. See Rule 2, Sec. 6 for the
    Rules and explanation of the Safety First Base.

f)  Sliding or diving headfirst when going into First Base or the
    Scoring line is not permitted. The Runner shall be ruled out.
    Sliding or diving headfirst when returning to First Base or into
    Second or Third Base is permitted. See rule regarding Aggressive
    Play. Sliding into an offensive player to "Take-Out" the player or
    to disrupt a defensive play will be considered Aggressive Play.

g)  An Outfield Arc will be used in the Mixed Leagues. An Outfield Arc
    shall be marked 165 feet from Home Plate. When a female Batter is at
    bat the outfield players are not permitted past that line until the
    female player makes contact with the ball. This rule will be
    monitored on the honor system. If a Defensive Player continually
    violates this rule it will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.

**8) [Run Rule:]{.underline}**

> If, after 4 full innings of play (with the lower scoring team having
> batted 4 times), the higher scoring team leads the lower scoring team
> by 15 or more runs, the lower scoring team will get one more official
> at bat to attempt to reduce the lead. The contest is over if the
> difference of the scores is not reduced to 10 or fewer runs in the
> next at bat.
>
> ![](media/image1.png){width="4.4430555555555555in"
> height="7.143055555555556in"}