2. Any manager filing a protest must notify the umpire at the time of the dispute, before the next pitch is made. A protest form and a $30 CASH protest fee must be submitted to Major league Softball within 48 hours after the game. The protest fee will be refunded if the protest is upheld.  You may fax forms in to the office at 714-744-5902 

10.0 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
1. Each player is required to personally sign the official line-up form before they are eligible to play in any MLS Adult Softball League game. Manager’s MAY NOT sign for their players. Everyone must sign for himself or herself. DO NOT PUT PLAYERS ON THE LINEUP THAT HAVE NOT YET ARRIVED.

2. Each team shall be allowed to roster a maximum of 20 players. All players must be at least 18 years of age.

3. Late arrivals must visit the scorekeeper’s station to check in and they may be added to the BOTTOM of the lineup.

4. If a player's name is listed on two (2) rosters, whichever team that player actually plays on first will be their legal team. I.E. if you play ILLEGALY in a game under an assumed name you CAN NOT play for your "Rostered" team later that day/night.

6. In the event that a team changes its manager at any time during the season, the new manager must notify MLS Customer Service immediately.

PICKUP PLAYER RULE   (revised for SPRING 2010)  This rule is to minimize or prevent on-field forfeited games

** THE FOLLOWING IS ACCEPTABLE ONLY WITH OPPOSING MANAGER CONSENT
… WITHOUT CONSENT PENALTIES WILL BE APPLIED **

NOTE: If the opposing manager consents to the “PICKUP PLAYER RULE” they have WAIVED any “win” by forfeit they may have received and the game will be played as normal. The game will be considered a LEGAL game.
** No protests related to player eligibility will be accepted after a game is played ** 

11.0 GAME TIME, FORFEIT AND LEAGUE RULES
1. A game shall consist of seven (7) innings or one (1) hour and ten (10) minutes (See S.C.M.A.F. rule book). The official scorer shall be responsible for keeping the game time on the computer clock. All questions related to time remaining or time elapsed should be addressed to the official scorer, not the umpire.

2. No new inning will begin after the time limit has elapsed. Games tied after seven (7) innings will only be continued if no fewer than five (5) minutes remain on the computer clock.

3. A team that does not submit its line up card AND Official’s Fees/Registration Fees* to the official scorer at least five (5) minutes before game time will be subject to forfeiting the game. * NOTE: all Registration Fee balances must be paid in full by the 3rd game of each season or your team will FORFEIT and be placed on suspention from further play until cleared up.

4. A team may start and finish a game with eight (8) players ... in coed you must have four (4) males and four (4) females. If at any time you fall below the required minimum of eight (8) the game will be declared a FORFEIT.

5. There will be a ten (10) minute grace period for ALL games. Any time used for the grace period will be subtracted from the official game clock.

6. OFFICIAL'S FEES: Teams are required to pay a $20.00 Officials' Fee prior to the first pitch of every game (including playoff and championship games). The officials fee covers the umpire, score keeper and roving league director.  PLEASE BRING EXACT CHANGE TO THE FIELDS - Scorekeepers are NOT required to make change.  (Fee increase effective Summer 2009)

7. A FORFEIT will be called if, at the end of the allowed 10 min grace period, you do not have the required minimum of 8 Rostered players & the Opposing Manager does NOT consent to the “PICKUP PLAYER” rule as described above. UMPIRES & SCOREKEEPERS WILL NOT WORK FORFEITED GAMES

8. FORFEIT FEES: Teams will be responsible for paying a $40 forfeit fee after each game it forfeits, due to insufficient number of legal players at game time. The forfeit fee must be paid on the field at the time of forfeit, if not paid at that time the fee will be $55 due 48 hrs BEFORE the team's next scheduled game. If the forfeit fee is not paid as defined above the team will forfeit its next game as well & be suspended from the league or DROPPED. (Forfeit fee increase effective Summer 2009)

• The forfeit fine will not be imposed if a team has enough players to start a game, yet forfeits during the course of the game. Games that have begun, yet due to circumstances cannot be completed due to forfeiture, will have all of the players' statistics recorded. Any team that forfeits more than two (2) games may be dropped from the league. The forfeit fee will be waived* if the forfeiting team notifies Major League Softball, Inc. by 3:00 p.m. on or before the day of the game.  (*middle game forfeits & forfeits bringing schedule down to one (1) game do not qualify for waived fees as our officials are still required to be present to officiate the games before & after and must be compensated for their time.)

9. No infield practice or batting practice will be allowed prior to game time.

10. The mercy rule will be as follows:

• 20 runs or more after 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead or 4 complete innings if the visiting team is ahead.
• OR 15 runs or more after 4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead or 5 complete innings if the visiting team is ahead

11. ID CHECKS & PROCEDURES (revised Winter 2010)

All players must be able to produce positive, PHOTO identification at each game in the event a manager OR MLS Official wants to protest a game because he/she believes the opposing team is fielding a player(s) that is not legally rostered. Both the opposing Manager AND any MLS Officials may request an Identification Check at any point during a game.

• The opposing manager and/or MLS Official must clearly specify which player's I.D. he/she would like to have checked. There is no limit to the number of I.D. that may be checked.
• The Scorekeeper/League Director will conduct the I.D. check for each player in question to determine if the player or players are on the roster. Players who cannot produce a positive picture I.D., or whose names are not on the computer roster, will be disqualified from play and penalties will be enforced.
• ILLEGAL PLAYER PENALTIES: If, at any point during a game, an “ILLEGAL” player is discovered by any MLS Official and/or Opposing Manager, the Opposing Manager will be consulted as to whether they wish to (A) remove the ILLEGAL player from the game (may result in your team forfeiting if you no longer have the minimum # required to play), (B) continue playing using the PICKUP PLAYER RULE, or (C) receive automatic WIN by FORFEIT due to cheating – NO EXCEPTIONS / NO DISCUSSIONS.
• PLAYOFF & CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES WILL HAVE MANDATORY ID CHECKS ENFORCED FOR ALL TEAMS / PLAYERS INVOLVED. No player will be allowed to participate without a valid Photo ID. PICK UP PLAYERS may never be used during Playoff and/or Championship games.

NOTE: The purpose and intent of this procedure is to ensure that all protests involving player eligibility are resolved on the field. No protests related to player eligibility will be accepted after a game is played. Failure to follow the above procedures will make any protests related to a player's roster status null and void.

12. The four (4) strike rule is in effect for all leagues (see S.C.M.A.F. rule book).

13. Pitchers box, a box is drawn, extending back from the pitchers plate, along the width of the pitchers plate, for six (6) feet. The dimensions of the pitchers box are twenty four (24) inches wide, by six (6) feet long, with the front line fifty (50) feet from the outside corner of home plate, and the rear line fifty (56) feet from the outside corner of home plate. The pitcher may deliver the pitch from any point inside the pitchers box, and for the purpose of rule enforcement, the pitchers box is treated the same as the pitchers plate.

14. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN ANY CITY PARK. In the event that any program participant (or any spectator who is associated with a team) is discovered to be in possession of an alcoholic beverage(s) either on or around the park facilities, the follow action will result:

1. The team whose players(s) and/or spectator(s) is/are found to be in violation of this rule will automatically forfeit the game that is scheduled on the day of the infraction.
2. The team whose player(s) and/or spectator(s) is/are found to be in violation of this rule will automatically forfeit its next scheduled game as well.

Be aware that violations may be discovered by either City Staff or MLS game officials (including the score keepers and league director). There will be no exceptions granted for any failure to comply with this rule.

15. Pitch height: Standard top of the head to 16' S.C.M.A.F. rules apply (effective Spring 2010)

16. Each batter will start their plate appearance with a 1 Ball / 1 Strike count.  The four (4) strike rule is in effect for all leagues (see S.C.M.A.F. rule book).

12.0 MAKE-UP GAMES/ GAME CANCELLATIONS
1. It is our intention to play all scheduled games. Every effort will be made to reschedule games that are missed due to inclement weather, field unavailability, or any other issues that arise. Make up schedules will not be issued until the regular schedule is nearly exhausted. Major League Softball reserves the right to reschedule games in any order that we determine optimal.

2. Any game that ends before the time or inning limit that is called because of light failure or malfunction of equipment or a mechanical field device under control of hosting agency shall be a Regulation Game in accordance of S.C.M.A.F. rule 1, sections 7, 8, 9 and 10.

3. In case of inclemental weather, the decision to play will be made by 3:00p.m. whenever possible.  If weather conditions change or worsen after 3:00p.m. it will become a “Game Time” decision. For rain information, check the website at www.mlsoftball.com, or call the Field Condition Hotline at 951-358-2800 x620

13.0 REGISTRATION POLICIES 

Failure to follow the Registration Fee Payment Policies may result in being dropped from your league.

Registration fees must be paid in FULL no later than your team's 3rd game of the season via PayPal, CASH, Money Order or Personal Check.  If fees are not received you will be assessed a $50.00 late-fee and your team suspended until balance cleared up.  MLS WILL NOT HONOR POST DATED CHECKS!  LATE PAYMENTS will only be accepted via CASH, PayPal or MONEY ORDER. 

• All NEW teams must pay a $35 one-time NON-REFUNDABLE "New Team Fee" (NTF).
• Teams that do not have a valid $100 GOOD FAITH DEPOSIT (GFD) on record by the Registration Deadline will not be accepted into a league or placed onto a schedule!
• Returned Checks will be subject to a $50 Returned Check Fee (NSF) and no further personal checks will be accepted!

14.0 FROM THE S.C.M.A.F. RULE BOOK  Rule 9. Players Code of Conduct

The umpire's jurisdiction to enforce the Player's Code of Conduct shall extend from the umpire's arrival to his/her departure.

Sec. 1.     NO PLAYER SHALL: At any time lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, or threaten to strike an official.
Sec. 2.     NO PLAYER SHALL: Refuse to abide by official's decision.
Sec. 3.     NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations by throwing gloves, bats, or any other forceful action.
Sec. 4.     NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of heaping personal, verbal abuse upon any official for any real or imaginary wrong decision or judgement.
Sec. 5.     NO PLAYER SHALL: Discuss with an official in any manner the decision reached by such official except the manager or captain.
Sec. 6.     NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of using unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body and person of any opposing player.
Sec. 7.     NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor, upon any player, official, or spectator.
Sec. 8.     NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of abusive verbal attack upon any player, official, or spectator.
Sec. 9.     NO PLAYER SHALL: Use profane, obscene, or vulgar language in any manner, or at any time.
Sec. 10.   NO PLAYER SHALL: Appear on the field of play at any time in an intoxicated condition.
Sec. 11.   NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of gambling upon any play or the outcome of the game with any spectator, player or opponent.
Sec. 12.   NO PLAYER SHALL: Smoke while going on or coming off the field of play, or while on the field of play.
Sec. 13.   NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of discussing publicly with the spectators in a derogatory or abusive manner any play, decision, or personal opinion of other players, during the game.
Sec. 14.   NO PLAYER SHALL: Permit any one to remain in the dugout or on the player's bench during the game who is not a playing member of the team.
Sec. 15.   NO PLAYER SHALL: Mingle with or fraternize with spectators during the course of the game, but shall remain on the player's bench or on the field of play.
Sec. 16.   NO PLAYER SHALL: Be guilty of using a bat that has been altered in any way. Altering includes, but is not limited to: sanding, filing, shaving, lengthening, shortening, weight-altering, heating and cooling. PENALTY: Officials are required to immediately remove player from the game. Such player shall remain suspended until his/her case has been considered by the League Administering Authority.

 

NOTE: The term PLAYER as used in Rule 9 shall apply to all team personnel, such as manager, coaches, batkeeper, scorekeepers, sponsors, etc.