RULES



Revised as of 4/1/09

League Rules: Governed by the ASA with the following exceptions:

Extra Hitters (EH): Any number of EH�s can be used. If a team starts with more than one EH, they must have the same number throughout that game. Teams may not drop or add an EH during the game. All players in the field must bat.

Run and Hit: Any runner may leave the base he occupies after the pitcher releases the ball. The batter must hit the ball into fair territory. In any other case, including the batter failing to hit the pitch, the runner is out.

Unlimited Arc: The height of the arc is unlimited, the minimum must be at least the height of the batter. (If the minimum height is not achieved the ump must declare �Illegal�. The batter still has the choice of swinging. If he lets it go it counts as a ball. If he chooses to swing, the ensuing result will stand.)

Rosters: This will be the first year that formal rosters are used. It is suggested that teams use the same group of players throughout the year. Once a player has played in a game for one team, he is bound to that team for the remainder of the year. Any violation of this rule will result in the forfeit of all games that the player played, for the second team. The roster is due after week #10 � at the tournament. There is no limit to the number of players on your roster. The only requirement is that each person on your roster must have played in at least two games the first nine weeks. This could be two pinch hit performances or two at bats but it must occur on two separate nights. The rosters will then take effect beginning with your first tournament game until the end of the year � including playoffs.

Free Substitution: A substitute may enter the game only one time. Once he comes out of the game, he is finished for that game. A substitute and the starter that he replaced may not be in the game at the same time. A sub assumes the starter�s batting position in the line-up when entering the game. If the starter returns to the game, (before batting) he must play the field and then assume his original batting position. This forces the sub to leave the game. If all of your extra players are listed as EH�s, they are considered starters, and have a batting position in the line-up. They may play any position on the field, at any time, as long as the batting order does not change.

Line-Up: After the batting order has gone around once, no new batting positions may be added. Unless: Those positions are the 9th or 10th slots needed to complete the team.

Pinch Runners: In the event that a player becomes lame or injured during a game, a pinch runner from the bench of available players (Those players not occupying a spot in the batting order) may be used. He will be considered a substitute, and once he comes out of the game, he may not return. Courtesy runners are allowed, but must be approved by both teams prior to the start of the game. The courtesy runner will be the last out of the previous inning. (A courtesy runner must be used the whole game.) There is a limit of 2 courtesy runners per game � with the exception of injury.

Pinch Hitters: This rule is applied in the same way as the rule for pinch runners. Once removed from the game, they may not return.

10 Run Rule: This rule is in effect for all 7 inning games. A game ends any time after 5 innings when a team is behind by 10 or more runs provided that the losing team has batted at least 5 times. If the visiting team goes up by 10 during the top of the 6th inning, the game is over at that point, and the home team does not bat.

Rain / Inclement Weather: If a game should be interrupted by inclement weather or darkness, it shall be considered a complete game if five full innings have been played. Once an inning has been started, it must be completed. Any play halted prior to the completion of 5 innings will be rescheduled and resumed at the point of play.

Warm-Up Pitches: Only 6 warm-ups may be thrown between innings of any game, unless the batter is unprepared to occupy the batter�s box.

Age Requirements: No No persons under the age of 18 will be permitted to play in the LVUSPL. Picture ID�s must be presented if questioned. No Exceptions.

Sliding / Collisions: Stand up collisions at any base will result in the base runner being called out. All other base runners will be sent back to their previously occupied base except those runners that had scored before the collision took place. In the event that a runner does not slide into a base, but a collision is avoided, the runner is okay.

The intent of this rule is to prevent runners from blasting into infielders who already have the ball. A runner does not have to slide at every base where there is a throw. Simply not creating a collision or causing interference with the play is enough in most cases.

A catcher may not block the plate without the ball to try to create a collision situation, and forcing the runner to slide. In this case, the runner is safe. However: If the catcher is in control of the ball, ready to make the play, the runner must slide or avoid the collision. Failure to do so will result in the runner being called out and all other runners returning to the base they previously occupied.


Sportsmanship:This is a league that plays once a week. Most teams bring families that include wives and children. We have come to expect fair play. No foul language will be tolerated. Any person(s) involved in punch throwing will be immediately banned from the league � permanently.

Disputes / Disagreements: All disputes or disagreements of any nature will be handled by the coach or captain. All other team members must refrain from becoming vocally involved in the disagreement. All unsettled disputes should be referred to the commissioner and the rules committee. The rules committee is made up of Buddy Maxwell (Hitmen), Billy Gebhart (Alliance Fire Company), and Larry Goeppert (Mad Bombers). In the event a game is played under protest, the protesting coach / captain must alert the other coach / captain of this fact. Both coaches sign each other�s scorebooks, and the protesting coach must contact the commissioner that night. If the commissioner is unavailable, a message must be left including the date and the time.

Home Team: The team listed 2nd on the schedule is the home team, supplying bases, cones, mat, and pitching rubber. The visiting team the first game becomes the home team the 2nd game. The home team supplies the ball. The home team has choice of sides. Both teams are responsible for cleaning up the field and the surrounding areas immediately following the games.

Reporting Game Results: The scheduled home team is responsible for calling in the results for that week. Please contact Doc each night after the games are played.

Game Times: The scheduled starting time is 6:00 PM with a fifteen minute grace period. If a team forfeits the first game of a doubleheader, they have until 6:30 to start the second game. If any team has 8 players present, the game must start with no grace period. In this case, the opposing team will supply a catcher unless there is a play at the plate.

Alcoholic Beverages: It is my duty to inform you that Lehigh County does not permit alcohol at any of their fields. That being said, please be sure to use the recyclable containers which are provided by Lehigh County. Once the games have been completed, all post-game festivities must be moved to the parking lot. Both teams are required to clean up the field and parking lot area after each game.

Miken Bats: Any type of Miken bat has been ruled illegal. Any team caught using a Miken bat will forfeit that game. All bats must be stamped ASA certified or Official Softball.

Metal Spikes: No Metal Spikes! Anyone caught wearing metal spikes will be given the opportunity to change them. If he does not, the team forfeits. Any one person or team caught a second time will automatically forfeit.

Recent ASA rule changes state that any foul ball caught by the catcher is an out. Since this is now an ASA rule � learn it. It will be removed next year.

Playoff Tiebreakers: It has been decided that the two teams with the best overall records (not necessarily a division winner) will receive a bye, and be seeded #1 and # 2 based on records. (Overall records will be used to determine division winners. Divisional records are only used if required as a tiebreaker.) The 3 division winners are guaranteed a playoff spot. The next 3 best records from any division will complete the playoff picture. Tie breakers are as follows: