OFFICIALS FEES:  Each team manager will be responsible for paying game officials before each game is played.  Each game will be assigned two (2) officials and one (1) scorekeeper

 

Slow Pitch Softball:        $17 per game for umpire and

$6 per game for scorekeeper

If a game has only one umpire, each team pays the umpire $12.

 

NOTE:           

Personal Checks will not be accepted by the umpire and scorekeeper.  Game fees for umpires and

scorekeeper subject to change with written notification.  Game will be forfeited if a team
 
fails to pay an umpire or scorekeeper before each game.  Two forfeits will call for

expulsion from league play.  .

                                                           

                                                                                                                                                             

SPRING METRO TOURNAMENT:

A Metro qualifying tournament will be held at the end of the spring season.  Information will be provided at the General Managers Meeting.

 

GENERAL LEAGUE MEETING INFORMATION

 

1.    Important Note:

Once the schedules have been completed and published there will be no refunds processed due to facility assignment. There will be a $30 administration fee applied to any refund processed.

2.    Placement Policy:

No guarantee will be granted to any teams regarding placement at any softball complex or field, or playing times for league play. Florida First Coast Softball, Inc. reserves the right, with or without the concurrence of the managers in a given league, to do one of the following in the interest of balanced competition and sports promotion generally: (1) refuse an entry; (2) place a team in a league of higher or lower classification.

3.    Managers’ responsibilities:

·         Insure all team players are familiar with the playing rules & regulations.

·         Insure all team players are at least 18 years of age to play. 

·         Control the behavior of their players and fans.

·         Furnish FFC Softball a valid email address.  All correspondence from FFC Softball will be via email.

4.    Number of Games Played: 

Each team will play approximately 9 to 15 games during the season, depending on the number of the teams in the league and weather conditions permitting. Sunday coed and other one-night-a-week leagues will play 6 to 8 games during the season.   

5.    Game Times:

Weekday games usually start at 6:45 p.m. but may vary from league to league.  Game times occasionally change in the schedule and double headers may be added to make up canceled games. Team manager’s are responsible for checking schedule before each game and make notes on the schedule anytime you receive makeup-game information.  Sunday Coed games will start at 4 p.m. except

when tournaments are being hosted at game sites they may begin at 5 p.m.   NOTE: A team that is not ready to start on time will forfeit the game.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 

1.    Summer Softball Registration: Starts May 20 and league play begins June 16 (subject to change).  Any spring season team that wants to play the summer season must re-register.  Winter registration forms and information will be on line at www.jaxparks.com & www.ffcsoftball.com and at Drew and Ringhaver parks towards the end of the spring season. (Mail-outs will not be available,)

2.    Practice Fields Permits may be obtained by calling (904) 733-3831. Cost of practice fields requiring lights is $25/two hours.  E-Permits can be sent to users not requiring lights via email.

3.    Player Pickup: A spring player pickup list will be maintained from February 1 – April 30 at Drew Park Press Box.

2013- SPRING SOFTBALL PLAYING REGULATIONS

 

 

 

1.       RULES

·         USSSA: USSSA Rules will govern all play.

·         THE PLAYING REGULATIONS: These softball regulations governing softball play in the City of Jacksonville Softball Program is a supplement to the official playing rules of the (USSSA) covering points of importance to those teams and individuals playing under the JaxParks and Florida’s First Coast Softball (FFC Softball).

·         ACCEPTANCE: Play in any City league carries with it the full acceptance of all rules and regulations governing softball play and acceptance of all decisions made by FFC Softball as final.

 

2.       LEAGUE POLICICES

·         FIELD PLACEMENT POLICICES: No guarantee will be granted to any team(s) regarding placement at any softball complex, field or playing times, for league play.

·         LEAGUE PLACEMENT POLICY:  FFC-Softball reserves the right with or without the concurrence of the managers in a given league, to do one of the following in the interest of balanced competition and sports promotion generally: (1) refuse an entry; (2) place a team in a league of higher or lower classification.  Between the Spring and Summer Softball Seasons FFC Softball will review the league standings and will move up any team that has dominated their league, after that we will move a team at the bottom of the league sign up list to balance out leagues. FFC Softball is the final authority on league placement.

·         GAMES PLAYED POLICICES: Each team that plays two times a week will play approximately 9 to 15 games during the season, depending on the number of the teams in the league and weather conditions permitting.  Sunday Co-Ed and teams that play one-night a week leagues will play 6 to 8 games weather permitting. 

·         RAIN/CANCELLATION POLICICES: Rescheduling of rain cancellations or any other cancellations could be during or at the end of the season and occasionally double headers may be scheduled (if needed).  A high number of rain cancellations may require rescheduling on days and at fields the team does not normally play.  Failure to meet these games will result in a forfeit.  NOTE: Only a one-day notice of revised schedules, rescheduling of rainouts and playoffs will be given.  If there is a high number of rainout during the season we may be forced to reschedule only the games which will determine the league winner.

·         PROTEST POLICICES:  The Notification of Intent of Protest Must Be Made Before The Next Pitch. Only the manager or acting manager of the protesting team shall immediately notify the Plate Umpire (before the next pitched ball) that the game is being protested, identifying the protest and that the game will be continued under protest.  The Plate Umpire shall notify the opposing manager and Base Umpire and Scorekeeper.  The Manager then must make the protest in writing to the FFC Softball Office by 4p.m. the next business day after the occasion of protest accompanied by a $25.00 protest fee.  The fee will be returned if the protest is won.  NOTE:  Weekend game protests are due in the FFC Softball Office by 4:00 p.m. on Monday following the game.  Player Protest: may be made at any time during the season.  The protesting team responsibility: must identify the protested player by name, position, shirt number, date, time, field and the team he played on and any supporting documentation.  The $25.00 protest fee applies to all protests.

·          UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT POLICICES: Any unsportsmanlike conduct of players, coaches, managers, sponsors, fan or officials, may be ejected from the game, removed from the playing site and may be submitted to the FFC Softball Office for disciplinary action.  Any of players, coaches, managers, sponsors, fan or officials, who commits or exhibits an unsportsmanlike behavior, uses overtly profane language, threatens an official, City employee or FFC Softball staff and/or volunteer is subject to ejection from the game and further disciplinary action according to the Ejection-Suspensions Appeals Operation Manual.   Managers and teams are responsible for the behavior of their fans and conduct of an ejected/suspended player on the teams’ roster.

 

3.       ELIGIBILITY POLICICES:

·         PLAYER ELIGIBILITY USSSA rules will apply.  All players should be residents or work in the Florida’s First Coast area and must be at least 18 years of age. Players may play on one men’s/women’s team and in addition play in one 5 & 5 Co-ed and one Sunday Co-ed teams.  Men’s 50 & Over team players can play in these leagues and one other men’s league. FFC Softball will not adjust league schedule for any player playing in more than one league.  

·         PLAYER PLAYING ON TWO TEAMS: To determine the eligibility if a player is on two teams, the FFC Softball office will review the schedules and determine which team had the first game and the player will be eligible for this team only.  Any player protested or causing a fight while playing on two teams will be suspended and the team playing the ineligible player will have their games forfeited that he/she played.

·         PENALTIES FOR UNSIGNED PLAYERS or PLAYING UNDER A FALSE NAME: A team that plays anyone who is not on their team roster will be declared an illegal player.   The team, which the player(s) is an illegal player(s), will forfeit all games in which the illegal player(s) participated.  All illegal players will be subject to suspension from further participation.

·         PLAY VIOLATION:  It is against the Eligibility Rules to play on more than one Men’s, Women’s or Co Ed (Sunday or 5 on 5) team.  Anyone violating this rule will be suspended from playing in the Jacksonville (JaxParks and FFC Softball) softball program for the remainder of the current season and up to one additional year.     

·         TRANSFERS: All player transfers and pick-up players must be completed by 4:30p.m.  Monday, April 15, 2013 and recorded in the FFC Softball Office located at Drew Park.  If a player desires to transfer, he must follow this procedure. 1) Have the manager of his team submit to the Athletic Office a written release (Drop Form) from the original team.  2) After being release from his or her original team, the player may be added to another team by the manager of the new team.  3) Only one transfer per player may be made each season.  4) Transfers within a league will follow the same procedure.  Team manager may add players of teams that have disband prior to the deadline of the player transfers/pick-ups, to their team roster. Refusal to release a player: If a manager refuses to release a player, the player may appeal to the Adult Athletic Supervisor. If deemed for the good of the program the supervisor may grant the release with a Sitting out period of one week, form league play.  All transfer players must have at least played in (3) games with new team before being eligible to play in the metro tournament.

·         ROSTERS:  Roster limit - 20 players.  Roster must be submitted at time of registration.  New players may be added by submitting their name 24 hours before the player engages in any league play, (No telephone or e-mail changes will be accepted).  All ADD/DROP roster additions and deletions must be in writing and signed by the manager. Church and Industrial Leagues may have unlimited players on roster.  Faxed ADD/DROP forms will be accepted as long as they are complete and signed by the manager.   *** Church Leagues will not require the Minister Affidavit for the Fall Season (Spring Season only church team may carry up to 25% of the team roaster as prospect players).  Teams that sign-up in the Industrial league and are required to move to a Men’s league (only if there are not enough teams to form an Industrial league) will be allowed to carry 25 players on the roster, provided all players are from the same company***. Forfeit Play Ball Rule will continue, for the Spring Softball Season.

 

 

·         FORFEIT PLAY BALL POLICY: A team will be allowed to accept a forfeit and play the game.  The forfeit team will accept the forfeit but be allowed to pick up the required players, both team will pay the officials and play a sanctioned game.  This forfeit will not count toward one of the two forfeits that drop’s a team from the league.

·         ONE & ONE COUNT: Each batter will come to bat with a one strike and one ball count.  The batter will be granted one curtsey foul ball on the third strike.

 

4.       PLAYING RULES

·         UNIFORMS:  Uniform shirts must be of matching color and style with numbers affixed to the back at least 6 inches.  Sleeves or straps of the shirt may be adjusted, with or without tie-ups, to the comfort of the player, provided uniform number remains visible.  Sleeve length is optional, providing the sleeves are not frayed.  All occupants of player’s bench must be in team uniform. Team manager must wear matching color team jacket or shirt to occupy a coaching box.  No steel cleats, spikes or street shoes allowed; rubber cleats and tennis shoes are allowed. **NOTE: All players must wear a jersey with affixed number on the shirt back (no tape or magic marker used for numbers allowed) or player will not be allowed to play.   NOTE: sporting goods stores' schedules may cause delays in delivery of uniforms, please plan ahead.

·          OFFICIALS FEES: Each manager (team) will be responsible for paying one Game Official (Umpires and Scorekeeper) before each game is played.  Each game will be assigned two Umpires and each team will pay one umpire $17 and $6 each to the scorekeeper.  If only one Umpire shows, the two teams will pay $12.00 each to the one Umpire.  The game will be forfeited if a team fails to pay an Official (Umpire or Scorekeeper) BEFORE the game.  The team(s) will pay each Umpire and/or Scorekeeper  IN CASH

NOTE:            Rates are subject to change.

 Personal checks WILL NOT be accepted by the Umpires and Scorekeeper

·         BALLS: teams shall furnish Balls equal to USSSA certified 40 core /325 compression Classic M for men and Classic W for women, both must be optic yellow with blue stitching).  In each game, home team will furnish the first new ball, visiting team second new ball.    All Women's Leagues will play with a new Classic W softball.   Both Co Ed teams will furnish one new Classic M & Classic W ball.  Team hitting ball that is irretrievable will replace ball, with a good used ball (Umpire acceptable).

·         BATS: All bats must conform to (USSSA) approved bat specifications.  Umpires will check bats before each game, a bat may be removed from play due too cracks, flat spots or other reasons too be determined by the umpire.  Bats may become invalid at any time (before, during or after a game) due to USSSA testing.

·         STARTING TIMES:  Slow Pitch - 6:45 p.m., first game; 7:50 p.m., second game; 8:55 p.m., third game.  If four games are scheduled at a site, the fourth game will start at 10:00 p.m.  All slow pitch league games will be allowed one hour and five minutes playing time.   All Fast Pitch league games refer to the fast-pitch rules.  ALL GAMES MUST START PROMPTLY UNLESS PREVIOUS GAME HAS NOT COMPLETED FIVE (5) INNINGS OR GOES INTO EXTRA INNINGS.  There will be no Grace Period for any games.  Game time is forfeit time.  Some changes to the above will be noted on certain league schedules. (NOTE: Sunday Co-ed games will start at 4:00 p.m. except on tournament weekends they may begin at 5 p.m.)  WARM-UP allowed in designated areas only. 

·         PLAYERS:  All games should start with 10, 11 or 12 players (extra player); however you may start or finish with 9 players.  If you start game with 9 players and a tenth player arrives late, he must be inserted immediately upon arrival in the tenth batting slot.  The (USSSA) short-handed rule will be in effect in all leagues when playing with 10 or 11 players (Co-ed 12).  At no time will a game continue with less than nine (9) players.

·         STEALING:  Stealing is not allowed at any time.

·         RUN RULES:  All slow pitch games will have a 20-run rule after three (3) innings, 15-runs rule after four (4) innings and 10-run rule after five (5) innings.

·         HOME RUN LIMITS for all leagues are as follows:  This rule refers to over the fence home runs, all ball’s hit over the fence by a team in excess of these limits will be an out. 

Ø  All Men’s 3A leagues and 3A coed leagues are six (6).

Ø  All Men’s Church, Co-ed & Men’s 2A leagues are three (3).

Ø  All Men’s and Coed 1A leagues & Industrial leagues, (Women) are one (1).

Ø  Sunday Co-ed Home Run Limits check the Sunday Co-ed rule sheet.

 

5.       ADDITIONAL RULES:

·         JEWELRY RULE: These items constitute illegal equipment: Earrings, Watches, Chains, Bracelets, Necklaces and any Other Jewelry.  Only flat wedding bands and medical alert bracelets or necklaces are allowed.  If medical alert bracelets or necklaces are worn they must be taped to the body so the medical alert information remains visible.   

·         ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Law prohibits alcohol on all City property. A player violating this rule will be suspended.

·         NO SMOKING: In the dugout, on the playing field or in the coach’s boxes at any time, either before or during the game.  City Rec. Employees, Umpires and/or FFC officials can and will enforce this rule.

·         INJURIES:  Games time will not stop for injuries occurring on the field.  Blood rule of injured player and shorthand rulings refer to the USSSA rulebook.

·         DUGOUT POSITION:  Home Team will be located in the first base side dugout.  Visiting Team will located in the third base side dugout. Only players, coaches, sponsors, scorekeeper, and bat person is allowed in dugouts.

·         CHILDREN: Children­ will not be allowed in the dug out at any time.

·         DOGS: Dogs will not be allowed in the fenced playing complex at any time (EXCEPTION: Service/disability Dogs).  All dogs in the park outside the complex playing area must be on a leash.

 

6.       ADDITIONAL LEAGUE SUPPLIMENTS:

·         Sunday Co-ed, Men’s 50-Over and Fast-Pitch Leagues have a supplement to these regulations.

 

7.       TEAM & INDIVIDUAL SUPPLIMENTAL INSURANCE:

·         Every year there are injuries that will send player(s) to the hospital and they may be out of work for a time.  Please consider the supplemental insurance for the consideration of team players.   The team manager can look for supplemental insurance in the USSSA rulebook inside cover.

 

8.       COMPLAINTS:  Must be submitted in writing within 2 working days of the incident in order for the complaint to be handled efficiently and effectively. 

·         Only Team Managers will contact the FFC Softball Office regarding bats, balls, rulings or protests (must follow protest procedures) through written complaints.

·         Umpires will contact the local UIC regarding rule interpretations.

·         Scorekeepers will contact the Scorekeeper’s Coordinator.