GW Summer Softball League

2008 Playing Rules & Regulations

 LEAGUE STRUCTURE

1.     The GW Summer Softball League is a Co-Recreational league which allows for at least two female players on the field during each game.  Each team must field a minimum of 8 players to start and play a scheduled game.

2.    The Office of Campus Recreation will coordinate the scheduling of the league.  The league schedule and results will be posted on the GW Campus Recreation website:

http://gwired.gwu.edu/gwellness/GeneralInformationandFacilitiessoftball/

3.     Depending on the number of teams entered in the league, teams will be divided into one or more divisions. 

When seeding teams, it is the policy of Campus Recreation to consider the previous year’s division or league record and postseason finish (championship play).

PART II.  PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES

ADMINISTRATION

4.      Players must be faculty or staff members currently working at The George Washington University during the summer.  Students from GW, or other institutions, employed during the summer at GW, are also welcome to play in the league.

5.        A player may be on the roster of only one (1) team in the GW Summer Softball league.

6.    A “legal team” shall be defined as the grouping of 10 or more players who have submitted a legal roster to Campus Recreation.

7.       Any departmental team or GW organization that forfeits three (3) or more games during the summer softball season will be dropped from the schedule and will not be permitted to participate in the season-ending playoffs.  Teams scheduled to play that dropped team will receive a forfeit win. 

8.       Each player listed on the roster must give his / her consent to be placed on that roster.              All rosters must be received by Campus Recreation by 4:00pm on Friday, June 1, 2007.

9.       Players may be added to team rosters only by the team captain or co-captain, attesting to the validity of the supplied informa­tion.   The added player (s) must be added prior to the game that the player plays in.  No additional players may be added to a team roster after that team’s last regular season game.

10.    When submitting team rosters to Campus Recreation, please ask for a copy of the team roster. 

11.    The maximum number of players on a team’s roster shall not exceed 30.

12.   No player may participate in a scheduled game for a team until properly registered on that team’s roster.  That individual must also complete an individual Informed Consent Form prior to playing in their first game with the team.  Violation of this rule may result in a game forfeiture.

13.    A copy of the approved team roster will be located in a binder at the field.

15.   Once the initial team roster has been submitted to Campus Recreation, any changes to the roster must be done by team captain or co-captain between the hours of 10:00am – 4:00pm.  Note:  Individual players are not permitted to add their own name to the team roster.  An email to league director, Aubre Jones (aubre@gwu.edu) is acceptable as well as a direct visit to the Campus Recreation Office.

16.    Once a player has played for a team during the season, that player may not join another team.  Trading of players is not permitted in this league.

 17.    All roster changes must be completed before the final regular season game.  Players may not be added to the roster for the playoffs.

18.    Campus Recreation will conduct random roster checks on the field.  Teams playing with players not on the team roster will be penalized by forfeiting that game after it has been played.  All players should bring their GWorld with them to the game.

CONDUCT

19. Participants in the GW Summer Softball league (players, coaches, captains, and spectators) shall be expected to maintain at all times the highest level of personal conduct and sportsmanship.

20. A team captain participating in any play must abide by all published rules and procedures regarding the program. They must attempt to control the conduct of team members during league play. The captain may be held responsible for, and therefore may be liable for, the conduct of team members during league play.

21.  Campus Recreation will not tolerate misconduct or any acts which are judged to be detrimental to the game of softball. Campus Recreation reserves the right to take whatever action it deems necessary to ensure the smooth and sportsmanlike conduct of its program and player participation therein. Misconduct may include, but is not limited to, physical and verbal abuse and throwing of equipment.  The judgment of miscon­duct is usually determined by the umpire at the time of the incident. Should, in the umpire’s judgment, the incident require action, the umpire may:

a. Eject the person for the remainder of the game;

b. Eject the person for the remainder of the day;

c.  Eject the person for the remainder of the day and ask Campus Recreation to take addi­tional action; and/or

 22.    After an umpire ejects a person from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct, the ejected person must leave the field and playing area (at least 500 yards from home plate.)  Failure to do so within two minutes of being informed shall result in an immediate forfeit of the ejected person’s team.  Identification of an ejected person must be provided to the umpire and the opposing captain immediately following the ejection. The umpire and both captains must report any ejected person(s) to Campus Recreation within 48 hours.  Any player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct must be reinstated by the Campus Recreation Director to be eligible to play softball again in the league during the season.  Immediate reinstatement of that individual is not automatic.  That player’s actions might justify a longer suspension from the GW Summer Softball League.

23.    An ejected person shall not confront the umpire who ejected him at that facility during, or after, the game without risk of University intervention.  UPD will be called if conditions warrant that action.

24.    Campus Recreation will not tolerate the use of profanity at the ball fields.  The judgment of profanity is determined by the umpire.  Use of profanity may result in penalties.  The umpire may:

a.    On the first offense of a game, issue a warning to both teams.

b.    On the second offense of a game, the offending team is penalized with an out:

                        i.      If by the team at bat, and less than three outs are recorded after the violation, the umpire charges the team at bat with an out;

                       ii.      If by the team at bat, and the violation occurs after a third out is called, the umpire charges the team at bat with an out in the next time at bat;

                     iii.      If by the defensive team, the umpire will charge the team with an out in their next at bat.

25.    “Unloading of the benches” (i.e., in a confrontational situation, a team comes to the aid of its player, en masse) shall result in game forfeiture; if both benches “unload,” then it’s a double forfeit.

26.    Participants who violate the laws of the District of Columbia concerning battery, assault, the consumption, possession, etc., of controlled substances and/or alcoholic beverages shall, in addition to state and county penalties and/or criminal prosecution, be subject to George Washington University disciplinary action, including termination from the University.

27.  For the following acts, a team captain, coach, team, or team member shall be penalized at the discretion of the Campus Recreation Office.

a.          Unsportsmanlike conduct.

b.          Verbal abuse (including cursing or taunting.)

c.           Any act deemed detrimental to the game of softball or the administration thereof.

d.          Use of altered, doctored, loaded, or ASA banned bats.

28.  Any participant accused of violating any act involving physical violence shall be immediately suspended from all activities of the Campus Recreation program until such time as a hearing panel is convened and renders its final decision.  Upon notification of the complaint, Campus Recreation shall immediately notify the involved individual, team captain, and appropriate University Administrators, as necessary.

29.   Games shall be umpired by individuals assigned through Campus Recreation.  As balls & strikes are not called in this league, the umpire will be responsible for calling fair and foul balls, catch or no catch plays in the field, and safe and out calls on the bases.

31.    Complaints (not protests) about an umpire’s failure to impose proper rules or about an umpire’s demeanor or conduct should be made in writing and directed to the Campus Recreation Director for investigation and action.

PROCEDURES FOR PROTESTS, HEARINGS, AND APPEALS

32.    The Campus Recreation Director, or his designee, shall adjudicate protests of playing rules. The Director shall mediate any league competitive disputes, serving to resolve any such questions or problems related to Campus Recreation rules.  Teams can not protest an umpire’s “judgment” call.

33.    Protests will be received and considered on the following items only:

a.       Failure to comply with rules.

b.       Umpire misinterpretation of a playing rule.

c.        Umpire failure to apply the correct rule to a given situation.

d.       Umpire failure to impose the correct penalty for a given situation.

Note: The umpire’s actions during the game must reflect his professional responsibility and ability. The umpire’s demeanor during the game is not justifiable grounds for a formal protest; however, it is justifiable grounds for a written complaint to Campus Recreation.

34.    The team captain must make protests to the umpire after play has stopped and before the next pitch is delivered. The umpire shall note in both score books the point of play at which the protest is lodged and must sign both scorebooks attesting to this protest at the time of the protest. Protests for field conditions must be made prior to the first pitch of the game unless conditions change during the game.

35.    The protesting captain shall submit the protest in writing and deliver it to the Campus Recreation office within 24 hours of the date of the protested game. Verbal protests will not be accepted.

36.    A valid protest shall consist of the following (failure to provide this information will in­validate the protest):

a.       A statement of the facts of the game (date, time, location, teams, umpire[s], etc.).

b.       A statement of the facts surrounding the protest.

c.        A statement of specific protest, including the applicable rule(s).

d.       A photocopy of the signed score book pages of the protested game.

37.    The Campus Recreation Director will review the protest with those involved and submit findings and recommenda­tions in writing within one week of receipt of protest to the teams and/or individuals involved.  All protest decisions are final.

38.    Upon receipt of a written complaint, Campus Recreation shall conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether a hearing regarding the incident is appropriate. If sufficient evidence is obtained by the Director, or his designee, from a thorough and complete investigation with all parties involved, the Director may, unless a hearing is requested, impose a penalty without a hearing. 

39.    A complaint may originate from:

a.       Any umpire assigned by Campus Recreation;

b.       Any Team Captain;

c.        Any individual involved in the Campus Recreation program holding a responsible position;

40.    The nature of the complaint may include:

a.       Conduct of a captain, coach, team, team members, or spectators of a team on or off the field of play;

b.       Conduct of an umpire on or off the field of play assigned by Campus Recreation.

41.    If, as a result of the written complaint, Campus Recreation determines that a hearing is required:

a.     Individual(s) involved will be suspended from participation in any Campus Recreation program until a hearing is held and a decision regarding the incident is made.

b.     Notification of time, date, and location of the hearing shall be furnished to all principals by certified mail not later than seven days prior to the scheduled date.

42.    Membership on the hearing panel shall consist of:

a.       Campus Recreation Director as chair.

b.       Assistant Director, Campus Recreation.

c.        Representative of Colonial Community.

43.    The umpire assigned to the game may also be invited to the hearing, provided no conflict of interest exists.

44.    One representative from each complainant and defendant shall be permitted to sit in during testimony; however, it is understood that these representatives forego the right to testify and must remain silent during the testimony of others. The hearing board may grant relevant statements and/or questions from these representatives after initial testimony.  The decision of the hearing panel is final.

PART III.  PLAYING RULES

HIERARCHY OF RULES

45.    In general, all leagues within Campus Recreation play under the softball rules adopted by the ASA. The rules contained in this document are intended to supplement the ASA rules by providing information unique to the GW Summer Softball League.

46.    It is the intent of Campus Recreation not to adopt local rules which interfere or conflict with the overall rules of ASA unless it is determined by Campus Recreation that such rules are in the best interests of the GW Summer Softball League.

47.  League scheduling and postponements (umpire cancellation of a game due to inclement weather, extreme heat, or unsafe playing conditions) shall be handled by Campus Recreation.

48.    In the event of inclement weather, team captains should contact Campus Recreation for a report on the status of their games that day.  Games may be postponed due to rain or “extreme” heat conditions on the field.  The determination on whether to postpone a game due to “extreme” heat conditions will usually be made by 4:00pm on the day of the game after we have measured the heat on the field using a thermal measuring devise.

49.  Teams are to play games as scheduled or rescheduled by Campus Recreation.  Requests for rescheduling of games will not be considered with less than one week notice.  (For example: to reschedule a Wednesday  game, Campus Recreation must be notified of the mutually agreeable alternative date by close of business the preceding Wednesday)

50.    Postponed league games will be rescheduled through Campus Recreation.

Exception: During the last week of regular-season play, postponed games may not necessarily be rescheduled unless it effects the playoff scheduling.

51.    The umpire shall review the status of the field prior to the first game of the afternoon. If the umpire feels that the game should not be played, the umpire may delay the game, cancel the game, or cancel the entire schedule on that day, according to his/her judgment.

52.    Fields provided for play in the GW Summer Softball league are expected to be ready for play and shall include home plate, three bases properly secured and dimensioned, and an aligned pitching plate.

53.    At game time, the umpires (with the advice and consent of the Mount Vernon Campus Operations Supervisor) are the judges as to the playing condition of the field.

54.    Any game delayed 30 minutes at any point shall be rescheduled.  For safety reasons, if an umpire, or any players see lightning in the area, the game will be halted immediately.  The game may resume 20 minutes after the last lightning strike so all players should wait for at least 30 minutes after the game has been halted.

55.    The umpire shall keep the official time and shall notify team captains prior to the start and throughout the game (upon request) of the time.

56.    Scheduled game time is forfeit time.

Exception: Weeknight games scheduled to begin at 5:30pm will have a forfeit time 10 minutes past the scheduled start time. The game must begin as soon as both teams meet the minimum requirement of a legal lineup. No new inning shall begin after 50 minutes from the scheduled start time.

57.    There must be five minutes between games, unless both captains and the umpire(s) agree to shorten the break.

58.  A game shall begin with the first pitch. Except in games starting late under circumstances covered previously, no new inning shall begin after 50 minutes from the scheduled start time or the actual start time, whichever is later. (A game may begin before the scheduled start time if umpires and both captains agree.) Any inning begun shall be played to completion, unless injury, weather, or field conditions necessitate otherwise.

 Examples of the effect of this rule:

a. A scheduled 5:30 game begins at 5:30; no new inning shall begin after 6:20.

b. A scheduled 5:30 game begins at 5:25; no new inning shall begin after 6:15.

c.  A scheduled 5:30 game begins at 5:40; no new inning shall begin after 6:20.

59.    The final game of the night may be called if it is too dark to see and play the game safely.

60.    If a team forfeits the first game of a scheduled doubleheader and knows in advance that they will not be able to field a team for the second game, the umpire may declare both games a forfeit at the forfeit time for the first game. Should such a circumstance occur, the cycle of games remaining to be played at the field will start at their scheduled times, or sooner.  During a scheduled back-to-back double header, if no one from the other team shows up by forfeit time for the first game, the second game shall be automatically forfeited to the team submitting a legal lineup to the umpire.

Game Determination

61.    The umpire is responsible for the calling of the game. If the conditions surrounding the playing of the game jeopardize the safety of the players, it is the responsibility of the team captain(s) to request that the game be terminated. If play is continued and the umpire does not take remedial action, the team captain may file a protest and withdraw the team from play at the risk of forfeiture being declared if the Protest Committee disallows the protest.

62.    An official game shall consist of seven innings, except as noted below:

a.     A game played to the legal time limit with no interruptions due to weather, field conditions, or injuries, regardless of the number of innings played past the first inning;

b.       A game interrupted by weather, field conditions, or injuries, which lasts at least five innings (4‑1/2 innings if the home team is ahead).

63.    Official games called before the inning is completed shall be decided as follows:

a.       Home team fails to bat. Score reverts to last complete inning.

b.       Home team bats (less than three outs) but fails to at least equal the score. Score reverts to the last complete inning.

c.        Home team bats and equals score when game is called. Score is recorded as a tie.

64.    Any game that is not official shall be rescheduled and replayed from the beginning.

65.  If a team fails to appear for any game (including make-up games) at which the appearing umpire declares the field playable, the game shall be awarded by forfeit to the appearing legal team. Forfeits will be official only if the team awarded the victory submits a legal lineup to the umpire at the time the forfeit is announced. If neither team appears, the game will be declared a double forfeit and each team will be charged with a loss.

Notification

66.    Each team shall notify Campus Recreation of the result or other status (i.e. incomplete, rainout) of their scheduled game (either by telephone or email) within 72 hours of the scheduled game. Any team that fails to report the result of an official game will be charged with a loss.  A one-time exception per team per season to the 72-hour reporting rule will be granted, upon request from the offending captain.

League Standings

67.    League standings will be posted and updated on the Campus Recreation website.

68.    A tied game counts as 1/2 win and 1/2 loss in the standings.

69.    Winning percentage shall be used to determine division standings.

70.  The following procedures, in the following order, shall be used to break ties between teams with identical records:

a.       Head-to-head records;

b.     Playoff game(s) among tied teams, when necessary to establish tournament berths or trophy recipients, and time and field allocations permit;

c.        Least runs allowed between tied teams;

d.       Least runs allowed for league play against all teams;

e.       Coin toss.

PLAYING RULES

Scorekeeping

71.    The home team shall provide the official scorekee­per, who will maintain an accurate and detailed record of the game’s play and its final score. Such detailing shall be kept on a player-by-player basis. In the event the home team has insuffi­cient personnel available to serve as the official scorekeeper, the visiting team shall so serve if sufficient personnel are available.

72.    If no intelligible records of a game exist and a protest regarding the official score arises, the Campus Recreation Director reserves the right to assign the outcome of the game as s/he sees fit.

Lineups

73.    Upon request, team lineups must be presented to the opposing team prior to the start of the game and must include at a minimum each player’s first initial and last name (official line-up cards are not required.)

74.    Team captains may make changes to their lineups at any time prior to the first pitch of the game without penalty of substitution rules.

76.    If a team begins a game with less than 14 players, any player(s) added to complete the 14 must be inserted at the end of the lineup. The lineup cannot have any blank slots imbedded in its order.

77.    Should a lineup be reduced for any reason, the spot becomes vacated. Each time a vacated spot occurs in the batting order, it shall result in an out. Should an eligible rosterrd player become available while a vacated spot exists, that player may be added only at the vacated spot.

78.    Players Who Are Physically Challenged: A physi­cally challenged player (as determined by the Americans with Disabilities Act) who participates either on offense only or on defense only may be added to a legal lineup.

79.    A LEGAL TEAM shall consist of eight players who play both offense and defense; a game is forfeited if at any time the number drops below eight.

80.    All leagues shall utilize the EXTRA HITTER Rule: A team may optionally add an 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th player to the lineup at any time.  The player(s) will be referred to as the extra hitter(s) and may bat anywhere in the order. The player(s) may also switch roles with any other player in the lineup and become a fielder during the game. The player replaced in the field would then become the extra hitter, and both players would remain in the game and bat in their original positions in the batting order. The switching of roles may occur as often as desired with as many different players as desired. The extra hitter may also be removed from the game and replaced by a new player. Should a lineup that originally included extra players be reduced because of injury or any other reason and a replacement is not available, that spot vacated in the batting order will result in an out.  The Campus Recreation extra hitter is also subject to regular ASA substitution rules.

81.    LOAN-A-PLAYER Option: At the legal team’s option, to avoid a forfeit by the opposing team, the legal team may loan enough of their own legally-rostered players to the opposing team to bring their lineup to eight players for that scheduled game only.  Players shall return to their own team immediately upon the arrival of late players.  Players returning to the loaning team may be added to their own team’s lineup and must be inserted at the end of the lineup.  Players arriving late to the team avoiding the forfeit, enter their own team’s lineups as substitutes withi