Adult Sports - Softball - City of Santa Monica

Welcome!

The Santa Monica Community Programs Division, Community Sports section, is conducting recreational softball. Listed below are the guidelines for Sportsmanship, the Ten Commandments of Sport and The Sportsman’s Creed. Sportsmanship is valued very highly in our leagues. Throughout the season we will follow these guidelines, the S.C.M.A.F. Players Code of Conduct and our By-Laws.

We hope you will enjoy playing in our leagues. Best of luck on a fun and safe season.

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF SPORT
	1.		Thou shalt not quit.
	2.		Thou shalt not alibi.
	3.		Thou shalt not gloat over winning.
	4.		Thou shalt not sulk over losing.
	5.		Thou shalt not take unfair advantage.
	6.		Thou shalt not ask odds thou art unwilling to give.
	7.		Thou shalt always be willing to give thy opponent the benefit of the doubt.
	8.		Thou shalt not underestimate an opponent or overestimate thyself
	9.		Remember that the game is the thing and he who thinks otherwise is no true sportsman
	10.		Honor the game thou playest, for he who plays the game straight and hard wins even when he loses.

The Sportsman’s Creed
The Player……
	1.		She/he lives clean and plays hard. He/she plays for the love of the game.
	2.		She/he wins without boasting, he/she loses without excuses, and she/he never quits.
	3.		She/he respects officials and accepts their decisions without question.
	4.		She/he never forgets that he/she represents his/her team.
The Coach…..
	1.		She/he inspires in his athletes a love for the game and the desire to win.
	2.		She/he teaches them that it is better to lose fairly then to win unfairly.
	3.		She/he leads players and spectators to respect officials by setting them a good example.
The Official…..
	1.		She/he knows the rules.
	2.		She/he is fair and firm in all decisions.
	3.		She/he treats players and coaches courteously and demands the same treatment for himself/herself.
	4.		She/he knows the game is for the athletes, and lets them have the spotlight.
The Spectator…..
	1.		She/he never boos a player or official.
	2.		She/he appreciates a good play, no matter who makes it.


City of Santa Monica Community & Cultural Services Community Programs Division Softball By-Laws
I.	GENERAL INFORMATION
	A.	Entry fees for teams playing in the Santa Monica Softball leagues will be published each session. This total fee is normally announced at the managers’ meeting (if not before) and must be paid in full prior to being considered for acceptance into a league. The due date is announced at the managers’ meeting and checks must be made payable to the City of Santa Monica. (Note: The entry fee is not refundable after the first scheduled league game.) Money and rosters are due at Memorial Park, 14th and Olympic, Gym Office between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.
	B.	Santa Monica softball leagues are open to adults 18 years of age and over.
	C.	No metal cleats (or multi-purpose with a metal inner) are allowed in any Santa Monica softball league.
	D.	The Santa Monica softball leagues do not carry any insurance. Players should have their own, or the team can take advantage of the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation’s Player Medical Benefit Fund (insurance).
	E.	Game schedules are not set until all rosters and money are in and your team has been accepted. If your team is not accepted, your check will be returned (Allow 3 weeks for a refund.) You will play once a week with game times at 6:40, 7:50 or 9:00 p.m.
II.	TEAM AND PLAYER ELIGIBILITY RULES
	A.	Your rosters and league fees will be due 7 working days after the managers’ meeting. You may turn in your league fees and roster before the 7th working day. League fees are announced at the managers’ meeting. League fees and completed roster are due in full before a team is officially accepted into the league.
	B.	The system used for accepting teams that make the published deadline into Santa Monica Softball Leagues will be as follows:
		1.	Resident Teams: Roster must have no less than six (6) Santa Monica residents to be considered a resident team.
		2.	If more resident teams apply than there is room, resident teams will be assigned numbers and a public drawing will be held.
		3.	Your team must have six (6) Santa Monica residents on your roster at all times during the season to be considered a resident team.
		4.	If space is still available after all resident teams have been accepted, business teams will be accepted next. If more business teams apply than there is available space, a draw for business teams will be held. You must have at least six (6) players that work at a business in Santa Monica to be considered a business team.
		5.	If space is still available after all resident and business teams have been accepted, non resident and non business teams will be accepted next. A draw will take place if more teams apply than allowable space.
		6.	If space is available after the published deadline for having your completed team roster and league fees turned in, teams will be accepted at a first come first serve basis.
	C.	Managers may add a player to their rosters up until the 1st pitch of the ninth game of play. This is done in the following manner once the rosters have been turned into the sports office.
		1.	The player must go to the League office prior to playing and sign the team roster and liability release
		2.	The League Director must approve the new player.
	D.	All sponsored teams must carry the sponsors’ name throughout the season.
III.	PLAYING RULES AND REGULATIONS
	The Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation Fast-Pitch and Slow-Pitch Softball Rule book will govern play with the following local exception:
	Section 1:		The City will provide the game ball. Both teams are responsible for having back up balls.
	Section 2:		“Game time is forfeit time”. The time is determined by the umpire’s watch (or his designated watch) and no one else’s. Only five minutes of infield practice will be allowed per team before games if time permits. Visiting team goes first.
	Section 3:		Playoff schedule and format will be announced for each league on the team’s schedule.
		3A.	In the Playoffs: If one team is ahead by 15 runs or more after 5 innings, the team ahead by 15 runs will be declared the winner. In the championship game: there will be no time limit the 15 run rule after 5 innings will still be in effect
	Section 4:		“Don’t use the hardball diamond and diamond #2 for practice when games are played on other diamonds.”
	Section 5:		A team can start a game with 7 players, but must have 8 by the last out of the second inning and must complete the game with 8.
	Section 6:		TIME LIMIT: No inning will start after an hour.
	Section 7:		The Santa Monica tie-breaker will be used to decide any ties. After time limit has been reached and no matter what inning it is:
		7A:	Visiting team sends up any 3 batters they want. Only these 3 batters will hit. Once they are done.
		7B.	Then the Home team sends up any 3 batters as visiting team takes the field.
		7C.	Objective is to accumulate as many total bases as possible. If a batter reaches a base for any reason (hit, walk, error, fielder’s choice) it counts as one.
		7D.	Batter has the right to refuse the walk during tie-breaker. If batter refuses to go to base, one point will be given to the team at bat for each refusal.
		7E.	When the third batter comes to bat it’s as if there are two outs.
		7F.	The umpire may stop the base runner after the third batter has batted, when in the umpires judgment, the runner would not reasonably reach the next base in a safe manner.
		7G.	If after one round it is still tied, then another round of the same will be played.
		7H.	You may use your best two (2) base runners during the tie breaker.
	Section 8:		Both manager’s will meet at home plate to cover the ground rules for the game in the presence of the umpire and fill out their starting line up on the game card.
	Section 9: 9A 9B ______ 9C		All players, managers, coaches must conform to the S.C.M.A.F.; players Code of Conduct. A Team involve in fighting and a bench clearing altercation, will be suspended and dropped from the league. A player who uses physical abuse toward an opponent will be suspended for one (1) year. Abusive language directed towards League Director and City staff will result in automatic suspension.
		9D	If a player is ejected from a game, he/she may not be eligible to participate in the next scheduled game or risk forfeit for his team. Once being ejected, said player must leave the immediate vicinity of the ballgame. If said player continues to create a disturbance, the umpire may forfeit said game.
		9E	If a player is ejected twice in one season, he/she will be disqualified from Santa Monica Leagues for a 365 day period.
		9F.	Physical abuse towards League Director, Umpire or a League Official, will result in Life suspension.
	Section 10:		In the regular season, if one team is 15 or more runs ahead of its opponent after four (4) innings, the game will be called. In the playoffs, five (5) innings.
		10A.	If in doubt as to whether or not games will be played you can call (310) 458-8643 after 1 p.m. (do not call before). It is the manager’s (and only the manager’s) responsibility to inform his/her players.
	Section 11:		The batter starts with a strike.
		11A.	Three (3) total foul balls and the batter is out.
	Section 12:		Up to fifteen (15) individual T-shirts or trophies will be awarded to the League Champion.
		12A.	All awards will be awarded at the conclusion of the league.
	Section 13:		It is the intent of this softball league to avoid collisions whenever possible. AT NO TIME DO WE INSIST OR MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR ANYONE TO SLIDE, ONLY TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH A FIELDER. RUNNERS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO AVOID CONTACT WHENEVER POSSIBLE. The base runner or batter runner is OUT when he/she DOES NOT attempt to get around the fielder who has the ball and is waiting to tag the runner out and/or the fielder has a force out. If you slide, you must slide towards the base, not the fielder. An over slide, quick slide or body slide could result in player ejection.
	Section 14 Section 15:		Head-to-head play will used to break all ties, then coin flip; except that the league director reserves the right to use some other means to break a tie (such as a playoff game, run differential, etc.), when he or she deems it appropriate. The league director reserves the right to make last minute changes once the league commences to help facilitate the program’s efficiency. Illegal Bats: A player using an illegal bat will be declared out and may be ejected from the game. All bats must be an official softball bat an ASA approved.
IV.	Section 15: Teams are required to maintain two (2) forfeit bonds to reimburse the umpire: A team that forfeits will pay the whole umpire fee for said forfeited game. If one of the umpire forfeit bonds are used to pay the umpire, the team using its forfeit bond is required to replaced the used forfeit bond prior to the teams next game. Failure to replace the forfeit bond or pay the umpire will result in the team in violation being dropped from the league. PROTESTS
	A.	Player Eligibility If a manager feels that an opposing player is a non-roster player, he must follow these steps
		1.	Go to the game official and ask him to have the player produce positive identification.
		2.	If positive identification is made and you feel that the player may not have his signature on the team’s roster, the roster will be checked against the player in question signature. If the signature does not match, the player will be declared ineligible.
	Protest involving judgment calls will not be accepted (fair or foul? Safe or out?). Protests involving rule infractions will be accepted if properly filled out.
		1.	Inform the umpire at the point of infraction (must be done before the next pitch is thrown.).
		2.	Have the umpire notate on his scoreboard what the situation is at the point of infraction (men on – inning outs – etc.).
		3.	Go to the office and put in writing the nature of your protest with a $25.00 check made out to the City of Santa Monica within 24 hours of the game.
		4.	The Ruling Committee will give you a decision within 2 days. If the protest goes in your favor, the $25.00 is returned. If it goes against you, the money goes into the league fund.
V.	COURTESY RUNNERS
	A manager or team captain may request a courtesy runner for one or more players at any time during the game when it becomes necessary due to an injury. The umpire shall determine the validity of a courtesy runner request. The courtesy runner must be the last previous out. A player leaving the game for a courtesy runner must return to the game unless he is officially replaced by a substitute. Substitutions may be made at any time during the game by notifying the umpire.
VI.	CO-ED, WOMEN'S AND MEN'S RULES AND REGULATIONS
	A.	Co-ed softball will be governed by the rules and regulations established in the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (S.C.M.A.F.) Fast-pitch and Slow-pitch Softball Rule Book with the following exceptions:
		1.	A team shall consist of 10 players. A team can start with 6 players, 2 women, but must have the their 8th player, 3 must be woman, by the start of the 3rd inning.
		2.	Players must bat in alternating order by sex – women, man, woman, man, etc.
		3.	A minimum of three (3) outfielders must remain behind an outfield restriction line (165 feet are from home plate), until the batter swings at the pitch. Penalty: Batter will be awarded 1st base unless he/she reaches the base safely.
		4.	Metal cleats are not allowed.
		5.	The pitching distance will between 50 - 56 feet.
		6.	The pitcher must pitch one (1) strike to a male batter. If four (4) straight balls are thrown prior to a strike, a male batter is awarded second base, any runners on base will move up. The Woman batter that follows has option to take first base or to bat. An intentional walk is considered four (4) straight balls without pitching a strike.
		7.	You may borrow up to three (3) players, male or female, to make 9 players on your team. The three (3) players must bat 7th, 8th and 9th, play catcher, right field and 2nd base. You may never use a borrow player to make a team of ten (10).
		8.	A player may play as a borrow player for as many teams as teams need players. The borrow player can only play when on a team that has nine (9) or fewer players. If a borrow player makes the 10th player, a forfeit will be declared during or after said game.
		9.	A player may be on two (2) rosters in two different Coed Division, if they play the team classification game at the start of the season. If both teams make the playoffs, and if the playoff game times are at the same time, the player must choose which team they wish to play for. All efforts will be made to schedule the games at different times but there is no guarantee.
VII.	MEN'S & WOMEN'S SLOW-PITCH RULES AND REGULATIONS
	A.	Women’s softball will be governed by the rules and regulations established in the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (S.C.M.A.F.). Fast-pitch and Slow- pitch Softball Rule Book with the following exceptions:
		1.	Slow-Pitch: Catcher has option of wearing a mask. It is recommended.
		2.	Metal cleats are not allowed.
		3.	TIME LIMIT: No inning will start after 60 minutes
		4.	Santa Monica Softball By-Laws, Rule II. Sections 1 through 16 apply to the women’s program and to co-ed program.
		5.	The batter starts with a strike.
VIII.	LEAGUE DIRECTOR
	A. B.	League Director has the authority to rule on any subject not specifically covered in the By-laws or the S.C.M.A.F. Softball Rule Book. League Director may move teams at the 1/3rd or 1/2 way mark of the season to better facilitate a Divisions balance. The team that is moved to the higher Division will compete in the playoffs in the highest Division that it qualified. A team that is moved to a higher Division has qualified for the playoffs.
IX.	SUBSTITUTE RULES FOR ALL MEN'S & WOMEN'S LEAGUES
	A.	Teams may bat up to 16 players in the starting batting order.
	B.	You may add/drop players up until the 9th game of the season upon approval of the League Director.
	C.	Starting batting order must be followed, but defensive changes may be made at any time. The umpire need not be notified of position change, but must be told of any batting order changes.
	D.	A player, not in the original batting order, may substitute for another player, but the replaced player may not thereafter participate in the game.
	E.	If players (11th and up) arrive late, they may be added, up until the last out of the ballgame, to the end of the batting order to complete the allowable 16 person batting order.
	F.	If a player is injured during the game and the umpire determines that the player can not play due to the injury, an out will not be declared when said player misses his/her turn in the batting order.
	G.	A team may borrow players from other roster teams, if a team is missing the required 6 players to start the game. Once the missing player (s) arrive, the other borrowed player (s) must stop playing. The borrow players must bat 7th, 8th and 9th and play catcher, right field and 2nd base.
	H.	A player may be on only one (1) team roster per night. A player can play on only one (1) team per night unless said player is a borrow player for that night. (see G. above for borrow player clarification)
	I.	No Thursday night team can play, in any game, more than six players who also plays for a Tuesday or Wednesday night team. A Thursday night team can only play six (6) player who also plays on a Tuesday and or a Wednesday night team.
	j.	At no time can you borrow a player to make 10 players playing on the field. At no time may a team borrow a player and have it’s own player (s) sitting on the bench. A forfeit will be declared if the above happens.
XI.	GROUND RULES FOR SANTA MONICA SOFTBALL FIELDS
	A.	Regular softball diamonds #1 and #3.
		1.	Extension of infield fence line to light poles then straight line from poles through outfields will provide out of play line.
		2.	Diamond #3 right field side and left field side will use the fence to determine out of play.
		3.	Batter’s entrance will be imaginary line between the two fences for out of play.
		4.	Outfields are open unless there is interference by another player on another diamond – umpire’s judgment will award number of bases