Rules of the Central Florida League (Cfl)

RULES OF THE CENTRAL FLORIDA LEAGUE (CFL)

(Modified 7/23/2016) (Updated 11/17/2016) GAME RULES

Unless specified otherwise by the rules below, the rules of the SS-USA apply to all game situations.

EQUIPMENT

Only rubber spikes or sneakers are permitted (plastic soled spikes are not allowed). Only bats approved by the SS-USA that do not exceed a 1.21 BPF are allowed. Teams must have team hats and shirts with unique numbers. Roster players must wear all of the official uniform and are not allowed to change it in any way (i.e. cut sleeves etc.). Sub players are not required to wear the team uniform and may wear shirts with cut off sleeves. Bat warmers are permitted. Softballs are provided by the league. Face gear (masks as well as body protection) are allowed . It is strongly recommended that pitchers use protected face gear. Any player wearing a protective face mask is not required to wear a hat underneath it (otherwise all others must wear a hat).

ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

To be eligible to play in the CFL a player must be a minimum of 55 years old within the current season. Players must be a Villages resident or have a valid Villages ID issued as a renter. New players must have completed the official Villages evaluation process and received a D2 or D3 rating. Players must submit a valid application (and be approved) prior to each season.

Players may enter the league as a sub or a roster player. Prior to the season draft, any player (having been evaluated and having submitted an approved application prior to the draft deadline), may be added to the draft pool. Applications which are not filled out accurately or contains false data or missing data may cause the applicant to be disqualified.

The CFL will accept new player applications (new player defined as one who has never played in the CFL as a roster or substitute player) from current D2 and D3 players. All applicants to the CFL are required to have played the previous season as a roster player in D2 or D3 and/or be signed up to play in D2 or D3 in the current season. D1 or D4 (or former D1/D4) players applying to play in the CFL must have played the prior season as a roster player in D2/D3 and currently be signed up to play in D2/D3 for the upcoming season as a roster player.

CFL eligibility status is granted to any eligible player which moves to R1/R4 provided they have played a minimum of two seasons as a roster player in the CFL. Players moving to R1/R4 will be monitored and maintained on a list kept by the board. All players having moved to R1/R4 arers are required to sign up as a roster player in the fall or winter season in the current year in order to maintain their league status. They are not allowed to 'sub only' in order to maintain their CFL status. However, they may sign up as a 'sub only' in a season provided they play as a roster player in either the winter or fall seasons.

The CFL will not accept applications from any 'new' players from D1 or D4. Current CFL eligible players who move to D1 (or D4) will maintain their eligibility as a CFL player. In order for D1/D4 players (currently ineligible) to become eligibile for the CFL they must return to play in D2/3 as a roster player for one full season and be signed up to play as a roster player in D2/3 in the second consecutive season. Any eligible CFL player (roster player or player on the sub list) may sub in R1 without loss of CFL eligibility.

TEAM ROSTERS

A team roster is limited to a minimum of 12 or a maximum of 13 players. A team may only have 6 A players. The rest of the roster will be made up of B rated players which may include an additional B player selected in the optional 13th round.

If a manager is also a player/manager, he will count as one of the 12/13 roster players. Team rosters must contain no more than 6 'A' rated players and a minimum of 4 D3 players (provided there are enough D3 players signed up). Once assigned to a team a roster player is attached to that team for the remainder of the season. Roster players injured (or emergency situations) and not able to play may be temporarily subbed for, however, once able to play must return to their team. The only exception to this would be if the board has determined a roster player has violated league rules in some way or the player is unable to play for the rest of the current season (including playoffs). A player who 'quits' a team during a season is subject to a review by the board and if the reason for quitting is deemed by the board to be a 'inappropriate' that player will not be allowed to participate in the league in any capacity for the rest of the current season and may be subject to further discipline.

IR'S

Players previously protected by a team that are on long term injury status (IR) and their injuries span into two or more consecutive seasons may be protected by a team as one of the four protected players allowed each team. IR players not protected in a current season (with the exception of a open draft season) will return to the available pool of players to be drafted. Any player sitting out a season does not have to leave the area to take a season off. They will be permitted to participate in other Villages sports activities as a active roster or substitute player. Protected players may sign up to sub in the CFL but not for or against the team that may be protecting them. Should a team protect a 'IR' player, that team would not be able to obtain a sub for that player.

FREE AGENCY

Players in the CFL may choose free agency by submitting their application clearly stating their desire to be a free agent for the upcoming season. A free agent will be placed in the open draft pool and may not be drafted by the team they played for in the previous season. Application for free agency applies only to the current season they are signing up for. Players may choose to declare free agency in as many consecutive seasons as they wish. The free agency deadline shall be the same as the application deadline.

PROTECTED PLAYERS

Existing teams may protect a maximum of four players. As with managers and sponsors, protected players are not placed in the open draft. Team managers may only protect a roster player from the previous season (summer season excluded). Previous season substitutes or replacement players may not be protected in the following season. Managers (and sponsors) are protected and must pick themselves in the round designated by the league (board). The manager's assigned round is based on where that manager was projected to be drafted in an open draft. All managers/sponsors are assigned a designated draft round. 'A' rated managers must be placed in rounds one though six and must be included as one of the 4 protected players for that team (they are allowed to protect up to three other players plus themselves). Managers rated for selection in rounds 1-6 means the A/B committee has rated them an 'A' player prior to the protected player deadline and have informed those managers affected of their placement in rounds one through six. 'B' rated managers must be slotted in rounds 7 through 12.

Each manager must provide the league with a list of protected players on a date designated by the board or no later than 5PM on the day of the next to the last game of the season. Failure to provide the list of the protected players on time may result with that team losing a first round pick as designated by the board. Failure to submit a list within 24 hours after the announced cut off time will result with that team being unable to protect any players (with the possible exception of the manager). This policy was amended in the fall season of 2015. Once submitted, the list is final unless there is a correctable error on the list as judged and corrected by the board.

It is the responsibility of the team manager to confirm his returning players are, in fact, returning to play the next season and have not declared free agency.

The league will provide a final list (A/B List) of each teams protected players and a list of players available in the draft one week prior to the draft. The final list provided to managers may still require correction however all such corrections shall be made known at the beginning of the draft.

A/B List

The CFL shall rate all projected roster and 'sub-only' players as well as list their age, bat (L/R/B), speed , and desired player position(s). The number of 'A' rated players shall equal the number of teams times 6. Players not rated as 'A' shall be rated as 'B' player. New players unknown to the A/B committee will be rated a 'B' unless input is provided sufficient to rate them as an 'A' player. Once the season begins, roster players will keep their rating throughout the season. Sub-only players may have their rating changed during the season at the discretion of the board. The ratings on the A/B list (and on the the sub list) shall come into play when substitutes are required and is the official reference guide when determining substitutions (A for an A and/or B for B).

THE DRAFT

Managers will control their roster numbers and the only restraint is that their roster cannot exceed 13 players and may not be less than 12 (11 in the Summer season depending on the number of players signed up). Each team must have 6 'A' players, and a minimum of 4 players from division three (D3). All 'A' players must be drafted by the 12th round. Existing teams must have a minimum of 4 D3 players which may include any protected D3 players, D3 managers or sponsors. Managers have an option to pick an additional player in the 13th round. If a manager declines to take a 13th player at the draft, they may not add a 13th player during the season. Managers who have selected a thirteen player during the draft and lose a player during the season may not replace or re-build their team to 13 players.

Each team is responsible to provide one representative to make player selections for that team. Each team may have a total of 3 representatives at the draft. If a manager cannot be at the draft, his representative may be in touch with him via cell phone as long as situation is not disruptive. In such a situation, the phoned in manager would count as one of the three reps allowed.

The summer season draft shall be an 'open' draft (no protected players) unless declared otherwise by the CFL board. Players playing on a team in the summer season where an open draft is used will not be eligible to be protected for the fall season. Protected player selection for the Fall season would revert back to roster players on that teams winter season roster.

DRAFT SELECTION SEQUENCE

The board will determine the selection sequence prior to the draft and announce the draft order for each drafting round. The draft order will be based on a teams' finish in the prior regular season (playoffs excluded). Where there were ties during the regular season (i.e. two teams tied for 4th place) the board will decide the order of draft based on head to head play followed run differential. The summer season 'open' draft order will be governed by a lottery draw. Existing teams are required to have a minimum of 4 D3 players on their team resulting in a league balance of 33 1/3 % of D3 players. Each team may have more than four however they each must have a minimum of four D3 players. Teams with D3 managers/sponsors or protected players will count them towards their minimum of four D3 players. The league will designate where D3 managers and sponsors are slotted and will have complete control of when they draft D3 players (other than managers and sponsors who have been assigned to a draft round)

New teams: Should there be more than one new team, the new teams initial picking order will be decided by a coin toss. A new team will have the first draft picks in each of the 5th and 6th rounds (their normal draft pick plus an additional pick) and thereafter will be placed in the drafting matrix and pick in their designated draft slot. New teams, having no protected players, will be awarded an additional consecutive pick in rounds 5 thru 8. New teams are subject to the same requirements in the draft namely they must select 6 A's and pick a minimum of 4 D3 players.

Draft Order The draft order in both the 5th and 6th rounds will be the same in that a new team(s) will pick first (two picks in each round) followed by the prior season last place finisher, followed by the next to last place finisher etc. The team finishing in first place in the prior season play will pick last in both the 5th and 6th rounds. The new team(s) will again pick first in the 5th round (two picks) and the same order will prevail in the 6th round as occurred in the fifth round with one exception: the new teams will reverse order of draft in the 6th round.

In rounds 7 and 8, new teams will draft (two consecutive picks) in the draft order dictated by the matrix system used by the league in a attempt to balance the teams order of drafting. Starting in the 7th round for example, the team finishing in first place in the prior season and had the last pick in rounds 5 and 6, will have the first pick(s) in round 7. Thereafter in the 7th round, a reverse order will be used with the new team(s) drafting last in the 7th round. Round 8 will also be governed by the matrix system. The matrix system used in the 7th thru 13th rounds is a computer generated program designed to give balance to draft order.

By the conclusion of the 8th round, all teams will have 8 players, all protected rounds (1 through 4) will be filled with either a name of a protected player or the name of a 'additional player' acquired where a team was granted an additional consecutive pick in rounds 5 through 8. Rounds 9 thru 13 will have the draft sequence dictated by the draft matrix, There will be no additional picks for teams. Round 13, will remain an option round whereas teams will be asked (in draft order) if they wish to add a 13th player.

Protected rounds 1 – 4 are linked to corresponding drafting rounds 5 – 8 (1 to 5, 2 to 6, 3 to 7 and 4 to 8). As protected rounds 1 thru 4 are non drafting rounds, they will be used to accommodate the names of the protected players designated by their team and/or additional players picked during the draft. A team that chooses to keep '0' protected players and thereby has no names in draft rounds 1 – 4) will fill the draft round slots 1 – 4 with the names of players chosen with the 'additional' consecutive pick during rounds 5 thru 8. A team that protected four players will have those protected players names posted in the round 1 – 4 slots and therefore will not be granted additional picks in rounds 5 thru 8. Teams that protect two players will have the protected players names shown in protected rounds one and two and will be granted an additional consecutive player pick in rounds 7 and 8. Protected players submitted by their team managers are recorded first in the protected round one slot , then round 2 slot, round 3 slot and finally the round four slot. Player ability or rating have no bearing on filling in the protected round 1 – 4 draft slots. A team keeping one protected player must post that player in protected round one box, teams keeping keep two, will post names in protected rounds one and two, keep three, post names in round one, two and three. 'A' managers (or sponsors) rated by the A/B committee to be drafted in the 4th thru 6th draft round must be placed in the round 4 draft slot.

When new teams are present they would get the first pick(s) in a draft. Without new teams, the draft will begin with the first pick granted to the team finishing last and thereafter in reverse order of how they finished in the prior season in regular season play (playoffs excluded). Last place team gets first pick, followed by next to last finisher and so on. Teams will pick in their designated/assigned draft order in each round. Teams will be allowed an 'additional' consecutive pick in rounds 5 thru 8 (in addition to their normal draft pick) based on whether they have a protected player in the associated protected rounds 1 thru 4 (i.e. draft round 5 is associated with protected round 1, round 6 to protected round 2, 7 to 3 and 8 to 4).

Determination of ties in regular season play. In the event of tie between multiple teams for first place at the conclusion of regular season play, the following tie breaker rules will be in effect: When two teams are tied for first place, head to head record will be used followed by the least amount of runs scored against a team between the teams which are tied. Lastly, if necessary the run differential against the teams which were tied. If three or more teams tie for first place with the same record, head to head games are used first then the least runs scored against them between the teams which were tied and finally run differential amonst the tied teams. If run differential remains a tie, the teams tied in the run differential comparison shall be co-champions. This process will also determine the teams drafting order. In the event of co-champions, a coin flip shall determine the draft order. Where ties exists for other than first place, head to head play, then least runs scored against (between teams that were tied) and lastly the run differential between teams tied.

Based on the number of 'protected players' chosen by the team, teams will pick their normal draft pick in each round (5 thru 8) and only be granted an additional consecutive pick if they have no protected player in the associated protected round. If they do have a protected player in the associated draft round 1 thru 4, they will pick their normal draft pick and not be granted an 'additional pick'. Once teams have four players posted in round 1 thru 4, (either thru retention of protected players or the picking of additional players), they will not be granted any additional player picks and proceed thru rounds 9 – 13 using only their normal draft pick in their designated draft order. At the conclusion of the 12th round, each team must have 6 'A' rated players and a minimum of 4 'D3' players.

The final 13th round will begin following the established draft order with each team being given the option the retain a 13th player. As all 'A' rated players are accounted for, teams may only retain a B rated player in the 13th round.

Immediately following the last draft round, teams must inform the league as to their designated pitcher. No trades are allowed between teams during or after the conclusion of the draft. A draft selection by a team is 'official' when the next team in line is announced. Team draft representatives are not allowed to leave their tables to have discussions with other teams during the draft. In the case where a team has dropped out, their players would be placed in the open draft pool. The exception to this is when a team drops out of the summer season in which that team would still have protection rights to the previous season roster players.

NEW TEAM POLICIES

The manager of a new team, if eligible to play, will be rated by the draft committee and must draft himself in the designated round assigned. New teams will have the right to draft first (2 consecutive picks) in the 5th round and again in the 6th round. In addition, they may pick 2 players in the 7th and 8th rounds based on their draft matrix position. In rounds 9 thru 12 they get 1 pick in draft matrix order and a additional option pick in the 13 th round. New teams will have the first pick in rounds 5 and 6. The four players names chosen as 'additional picks in rounds 5 thru 8 will have their names placed in the round 1 thru 4 protected players slots (Refer to draft sequence). In the event of two or more new teams, a coin toss or lottery draw will determine their picking order in the 1st drafting round and in the 6th round will reverse, therafter they will be governed by the draft matrix. New teams are not allowed to bring in their own players and players must be selected out of the open draft pool.

LINEUPS

Eleven players constitute a defensive team however, each team must field a minimum of 10 players. There is no penalty for fielding only 10 players. A team with more than 11 players may choose to have one or more designated hitters who are not required to rotate through defensive positions. If an injury occurs forcing a DH to leave the game, no substitute is allowed (and no out is recorded when the DH would have come to bat). If an injury occurs forcing a fielding player to leave the game, the team has the choice to take an injury sub or having the DH assume a fielding position. Fielding players are allowed to sit out an inning(s) and re-enter the game however the batting order must be maintained.

DESIGNATED PITCHERS

Each team must declare their 'designated pitcher' at the draft held prior to the season beginning. Thereafter, if a team requires a substitute pitcher, the sub pitcher must start the game as their pitcher and if removed from pitching, the sub pitcher must leave the game (without penalty when said sub pitcher comes to bat). A team may request a substitute pitcher even if their designated pitcher is available. The designated pitcher may play another position or DH however once he does, he cannot pitch for any reason in that game.

PRE GAME REQUIREMENTS

Players must report to their manager 30 minutes prior to the schedule game. Managers need to indicate to the duty board member of subs needed 20 minutes prior to game time. Managers must submit the line-up sheet 10 minutes prior to game time and the team is responsible to ensure the lineup is presented to the correct score table in the tower. Any team member that arrives after the line up is submitted will not be allowed to play in that game. Once the line up is recorded on the official score sheet in the tower, it can not be changed. Any team member listed on the lineup that does not arrive will be called out each time they come to bat.

FORFEITS A team with fewer than 8 roster players present (seven in the summer season) will not be allowed to get any substitutes and must forfeit the game. Teams are limited to recruiting 2 subs before the game and may get one more (2 in the summer) at the field (thru the pill system) on game day. A team will be allowed to get an injury sub without being subject to forfeit even if that team already has the allowed number of subs.

REPLACEMENT PLAYERS

Teams will be allowed to request a replacement player if a player declares that he is unable to play for the remainder of the season (including playoffs). Typically, such a player is injured and is unable to play. Requests for a replacement player due to non injury inability to play (absence) will be at the descresion of the board. When a replacement player is warranted, the manager must submit in writing (e-mail) a request citing the players name, injury, position played and their A/B rating. The board will decide on a replacement player that most closely matches the injured player. Once assigned, the manager may use the player as a normal roster player and bat them anywhere in their order. Replacement players cannot be protected.

Replacement players will be drawn from the sub list to include both those who signed up to sub at the start of the season and those who sign up during the regular season provided they have indicated they would like to considered as a replacement player. At the start of each season, players signed up as a sub will be asked if they are willing to be a replacement player. Those players willing to be a replacement player will be held on a list maintained by the board (not published). When notified, the board will match the injured player qualities to those on the replacement list and offer a replacement player to the manager. Should there be no available replacement player, the manager will be so informed. Managers may not request a player nor ask as to the players available as replacement players. The manager has the right of refusal as to the player offered as a replacement player.

Replacement players may be offered by the board and accepted by the manager without regard for the players A/B rating. Normally, an 'A' player would be offered for an 'A' injured player and likewise for 'B' players, however, when the playing abilities of the players involved are relatively equal, a 'B' player may be offered for an injured 'A' player and vice versa.

SUBSTITUTES (AT THE FIELD)

Substitutes must be valid CFL members and appear on the league sub list (or be approved by the board and in the process of being place on the sub list) by game time. If a substitute player is on the roster of another team, he cannot sub in a game that will conflict with his regular scheduled game. Subs must bat after the roster players in the order they were assigned.

Where practical, subs are added to the league sub list in an attempt to allow all teams equal access via recruitment. In the event a player is not on the league posted sub list and shows up at the field prior to game time and wishes to sub, the board member running the sub desk may accept that sub and add him to the available subs for the days' games. Acceptance of the sub is based on two provisions: a.) the sub has filled out a valid application and b.) the sub is a known player to the board member(s) and his rating is discernable (A or B). If the sub applicant is not known (as is likely the case for a new player to the CFL and thereby his rating may not be known), he would not be able to particiapte as a sub on that day, however he may be placed on the posted sub list and be able to play in future games either as a recruited sub or by showing up on game days and signing up as a sub. His rating would be designated either by the affiliated recreation level he is associated with or by knowledge of his playing abilities by board members.

The A/B system will be used for subs drawn at the fields in most circumstances. If there are enough subs to meet the needs, subs will be assigned in order of fields (field # 1 visitors then home, field 2 visitors, home etc.). When there is a shortage of subs, an effort will be made at the field by the duty board member to acquire the needed subs. If there are less subs than required at this point,subs will be assigned one per team until the subs run out. Should there be a need for an injury sub, the designated injury sub will be used (A for A, B for B if possible). Should there be no injury sub available, an effort will be made to secure a roster player on site. A team may request a pitcher even if their designated pitcher is available (refer to Designated Pitcher rules). As subs sign up at the field, a common sub sign up sheet will be used (subs will not be able to sign up for a specific game/field). As they sign up, they will be given a priority number. Priority 1 subs will be non drafted players, sub only or newly evaluated players. Priority 2 subs will be roster players or those P1 players who may already have played during the day or have been recruited to play in a game. Subs signed up for the 1st game and not selected will have priority if signed up for the second game. This would apply to both A and B rated players. The A for A and B for B rules will apply if possible. B player P1 subs signed up but not selected to play in the 1st game and signed up for the second game will have priority over any other B rated player and P2 A players. In essence, for the second game only, the B sub will be treated as an A player and have first rights to play as a sub without a pill draw and regardless of the pill draw for any other sub.

Subs playing in the first game may sign up for the second game regardless of the field they are playing on in the first game.

A player who signs up as a 'pitcher only' will not have priority over a player signed up as a pitcher and/or any other position(s).

The on duty board member will handle the sign up sheets for all substitutes. Managers may quietly observe the sub selection process. Any objections must be made prior to the start of the game. Should a player be injured or unable to play during a game, a sub may be requested by the manager provided the team has less than 11 players or unless using the a DH and manager does not wish to have the DH play in the field. A team may not get a sub when they have 11 or more players unless they are in need of a substitute pitcher.

RECRUITING SUBS

Pregame day recruitment of substitutes is allowed if the recruited player is on the sub list (or approved by the board where all managers have equal access to). Managers may recruit players (A for A and B for B) up to 2 weeks from their next game during the regular season. Roster players cannot be recruited and are eligible only as a 'at the field' sub obtained by the pill process. Once a player is recruited, should the subbed for player become available, the recruited sub must play, A manager cannot 'un-recruit a sub'. The recruited sub becomes official when the manager notifies the player, acquires consent and notifies the league by e-mail, phone or in person of the name and of the replaced player, the recruited subs name and rating and for what game(s) he is subbing.

An 'A' rated player can only be recruited for 2 games in the regular season by the same team. During the playoffs, the clock is reset and a 'A' player may be recruited by any team for one game. In the event of a scheduled double header during the playoffs, managers may only recruit a sub for one game (the first game). Subs needed for the second game of the day must be obtained at the field. In addition, during the playoffs, a manager may not recruit a player for next weeks game until such time as they win and advance.

A player having been 'subbed for' through the recruitment process, and now available to play may not be recruited by another team however may sub at the field during the regular season but is restricted from not playing for or against his former team.

As with subs acquired at the field, recruited subs must bat after the roster players. Once a recruited sub fulfills his contract he must return to the sub list.

If a teams' designated pitcher is not playing in any capacity in a game, the manager may recruit a 'roster' pitcher from another team but only if there are no available A/B pitchers on the sub list.

If a team has a late scratch, a manager may call a sub the morning of the game day and obtaining a player, he must then notify the on duty board member at the field with the relevant information. The same recruited sub may not be recruited for more than one time slot. That player must sign up at the fields to sub in another game via the pill draw. He may not be recruited to play for two different teams on the same day.

Subs playing in an early game and picked as a sub for the second game will stay in their game until it is complete, even if it runs late.

A team can only have a maximum of 3 subs (4 in the summer, three in the fall/winter seasons). A maximum of 2 via recruitment and/or a maximum of 3 at the fields (4 in the summer).

EMERGENCY, ILLNESS OR INJURY

Once play has begun, if a player is forced to leave a game due to illness, injury or emergency and the team qualifies for a sub, the next available player through the pill draw will substitute. No sub will be allowed for a player that leaves a game for any other reason other than illness, injury or emergency. If a player just 'leaves', then when that players turn at bat comes up, he will be charged with an out.

EJECTIONS

When a player leaves the game due to an ejection, that player will be charged as an out in his next at bat. In any subsequent at bats, he will not be called out.

Ejected players must leave the facility (completely leave the field areas to the parking lots). When an umpire ejects a player from the game, the umpire is required to fill out a written incident report witnessed by the associate umpire describing the time place and cause for the ejection. Said report will be used by the board to administer penalties to include suspension of one or more games. RUNNING THE BASES

Sliding into 2nd and 3rd base shall be permitted and in addition, sliding into 1st or home base when the runner is trying to avoid contact with a defensive player. However, the rules of avoiding contact must be observed and if, in the opinion of the umpire, a runner slides in an attempt to make contact with a fielder, the runner will be called out If, in the opinion of the umpire(s) a runner misses a base to avoid contact (collision), the runner will not be called out. A base runner in a non-force situation, other than at home base, must be tagged out. There is no restriction on rundowns.

Courtesy runners are permitted at any time, however, a player is allowed to be a courtesy runner once per inning and twice per game (7 innings) with an additional 1 time granted for a game going into extra innings.

A runner replaced with a courtesy runner may not be used as a courtesy runner for the remainder of that inning. A courtesy runner may not be replaced by another courtesy runner except for injury causing the removal from the game of the original courtesy runner.

The score keeper will keep record of the number of times a player is used a a courtesy runner, When the umpire announces the substitution it will become official. If challenged and the courtesy runner has been used more than once per inning, he will be called out. It is the opposing manager's responsibility to keep track how many times a player has been used as a runner as it is his responsibility to appeal a a violation to the umpire. Neither the umpire nor the score keeper should announce a runner violation. Once appealed, the umpire can have the score keeper confirm the number of times a courtesy runner has run.

When extra innings are required, the last batter of the previous inning is placed on second base and may not receive a courtesy runner until he reaches 3rd base.

If a base runner attempting to score from 3rd base touches any part of the green mat, the batters box or the strike mat, he will be called out and the run will not count.

Plays at the plate require the runner to touch his home base and and a out may only recorded when the fielder has possession of the ball and touches the strike mat. Fielders cannot tag out runners at home base once the runner has past the 'no return' line.

FIVE RUN RULE

Teams are limited to scoring a maximum of 5 runs in a inning with the following exceptions:

In the final inning (7th) or in extra innings (considered as open innings), a team may score unlimited runs. During innings 1 thru 6, (not open innings and governed by the 5 run rule), if a batter hits an over the fence home run and the fifth run crosses the plate ahead of the batter, then the fifth run is allowed in addition to the batter runner to make a total of 6 runs.

MERCY RULE

If a team is leading by a minimum of 15 runs after 5 complete innings (4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead), then the game shall be declared complete with the leading team declared the winner. UMPIRES

There shall be a 'head umpire' or UIC, appointed by the board, who reports to the umpire committee chairman and whose duties include: Selecting umpires to be used by the league during the regular season and playoffs. Educate the umpires in rules and specific rulings where emphasis is requested by the board. Schedule two umpires per game. Process all complaints concerning umpires and notify the board as required. Review umpire incident reports where a player has been ejected. Field umpires are required to fill out a incident report whenever a player has been ejected from a game regardless as to the reason. The board will review umpire performance and confer with the head umpire as to poor performance by a umpire and suggest actions to be taken. Players and managers are required to respect umpires at all times. Umpires are directed to avoid confrontations however may 'warn' and/or eject any player/manager who is disrespectful or abusive in any way. Only the manager or his appointed player on the field may 'appeal' plays on the field.

SCORE KEEPING

Score keeping will be done by one or more players designated by the manager of each team when it is their team turn to score keep. Volunteer umpires will not be required to score keep when they are assigned field duties on the score keeping day. Teams are require to submit a list of players assigned by the manager to keep score on the team's score keeping day. The manager is responsible for meeting his teams score keeping assignments. Penalties for score keeping violations (no shows) are: if a player(s) assigned to score keep does not show up in time (ten minutes before game) the player will be suspended for one game (the next scheduled game). If a team does not submit a list of assigned players, the manager of the team will be suspended from the next game. In seasons where there are a odd number of teams, the team not playing that week (bye week) will assume total scoring responsibilities for the entire games played that day.

Team members when not keeping score are allowed to sub. When there is shortage of subs, the duty board member has authority to relieve scoring responsibilities and assign players as subs.