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   NCTL Softball Rule Book - 2008

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The North County Travel League (NCTL) Board of Directors shall consist of one Commissioner from each of the participating leagues and a Director.

The North County Travel League Board of Directors shall strive to:

1. Promote sportsmanship and fair play within the players, managers, coaches, umpires and spectators.
2. Organize and direct the league in regards to playing rules, scheduling, and disciplinary procedures.
3. Assist the individual leagues in performing and maintaining their community services.
4. Act as an advisory board ONLY.  Individual leagues are responsible for all aspects of registration, responsibility, field scheduling, etc.
5. All actions taken by the Commissioners and/or Board of Directors shall be final.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The North County Travel League is a recreational softball league and shall be governed by the following rules, in order of priority:  North County Travel League and Official A.S.A. Softball rules.  If a situation arises that needs clarification or interpretation, rules must be consulted in the above order.

The following rules are either exceptions or clarifications of special rules adopted by North County Travel League.  Unless otherwise noted, these rules will apply to ALL divisions.

RULE 1 - AGES

• 10 & Under - to include players who have not attained the age of 11 years before January 1st of current playing year.
• 12 & Under - to include players who have not attained the age of 13 years before January 1st of current playing year.
• 14 & Under - to include players who have not attained the age of 15 years before January 1st of current playing year.
• 16 & Under - to include players who have not attained the age of 17 years before January 1st of current playing year.
• 18 & Under - to include players who have not attained the age of 19 years before January 1st of current playing year.

RULE 2 - TEAM REGISTRATION

Teams desiring to play during the current season must have approved roster from their home park.

RULE 3 - REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS, MANAGERS, AND COACHES

1. No team shall have at any time over eighteen (18) players on its roster.
2. Minimum number of players per team is twelve (12).
3. Each individual park will conduct player registration using its own registration procedures. Players will be placed on teams according to the policy of the individual park.
4. The team manager will be responsible for the accuracy of all signatures and information on roster.
5. A team may have a maximum of three (3) players on their roster that play on a select team.
6. Any team having select players on their roster must play in “A” division.
7. No individual manager shall advertise, recruit or hold try-outs.  The only type of advertisement allowed shall be for park registration of players.
8. Players may only play on one NCTL team. Players can play up or down depending on their age.  Players may only be on one roster per season unless approved by the Board of Directors of the NCTL.
9. Teams may play in the NCTL and the Florissant Competitive league. Teams playing the NCTL that participate in the Florissant league must play NCTL “A” division.  If Florissant Competitive teams participate in the NCTL, they must play in “A” division and play up one (1) age division.  (Teams may also play in CYC leagues.)  Teams may compete in tournaments, fall ball, and winter ball leagues.
10. Teams fielding players contrary to the age limits prescribed in rules shall be subject to disciplinary action from NCTL Board of Directors.
11. The registration of a player on an official roster does not exempt her from protest at a later date provided sufficient proof of ineligibility is presented at time of protest.  If player is found to be ineligible that team will forfeit all games in which player had played.
12. All players must have a current ID.  Entire team ID checks must be done before the start of the game.  An individual player ID check may be done at anytime during the game.  Managers have until the end of the game to produce the ID’s.
13. The manager is responsible for having the necessary rosters, ID’s, etc. at all games.  He/she is also responsible for all of the rules involved in the NCTL and the ASA rule books.
14. Additions to team roster must be filed with your park before the 3rd day prior to the next schedule or rescheduled game in which that player is to play in.
15. No player may register with a team who has played more than half of its league game unless approved by the NCTL Board of Directors.

RULE 4 - PLAYER PARTICIPATION

1. All teams will bat entire roster of players.
2. 10 & Under thru 14 & Under — field 10 defensive players.
   16 & Under & 18 & Under — field 9 defensive players.
3. An injured player on base shall be replaced by the batter who made the last previous out.
4. Any player leaving the game for any reason will be omitted from the lineup upon notification to the umpire-in-chief and the opposing manager without penalty.
5. All players must have entered the game on defense by the4th inning and must play at least 9 outs on defense if game time allows.
6. Late players arriving shall be entered at bottom of lineup and may enter at anytime before the game is completed.
7. Free substitution will be allowed for all league games.

RULE 5 - VERIFICATION OF AGE

A birth certificate, baptismal certificate, hospital certificate, or authenticated copy of same, are acceptable for verification of age. Verification of age is required at registration, for obtaining an ID card, and in case of protest regarding player eligibility.

RULE 6 - SCHEDULING

1. Official schedules shall be made available prior to beginning of season.
2. A team will have 15 minutes of grace period to start a game. If team cannot field enough players, they will forfeit their game.
3. Only rainouts and suspended games will be rescheduled.
4. The umpire-in-chief will announce the official starting time which begins at the completion of ground rules.

RULE 7 - CONDUCT

1. SPORTSMANSHIP - The manger is responsible for the behavior of his/her players, coaches, and fans.  Vulgar language will not be allowed.  Should any person become abusive, that person may be ejected from the game.  Upon ejection, that person must leave the playing area within two minutes or the game may be forfeited.  Any player, manager or coach ejected from a game may be subject to disciplinary actions.
2. Any player, manager, or coach reported fighting on or around the playing area before, during or after any game will be suspended for one to three games. Further disciplinary action may be taken by the NCTL Board of Directors.
3. The use of intoxicants in any form is prohibited on the playing field or in the dugouts.  No alcoholic beverages may be consumed by the mangers or coached for duration of the game.
4. No smoking is allowed on the playing field or player’s benches.
5. The manager is expected to see that his/her players are not verbally abusive toward other players or adults.  Team cheers should be chosen with caution, and emphasis must be placed on directing cheers positively for own team and not toward opponent.
6. Any manager or coach found guilty of knowingly playing an illegal player (not on official roster, too old, etc.) shall be suspended for one year and put on probation for one year.  Further disciplinary action may be taken by the board.
7. Umpires should be treated with respect. Unwarranted harassment will not be tolerated. (Harassment will be determined per park commissioner).

RULE 8 - PROTESTS

1. Protest can only be filed on rule violations not judgment calls.
2. A protest can only be filed at time of infraction.  Time will be called and the umpire-in-chief will be notified of protest and on what rule the protest is on.  The umpire-in-chief will sign the scorebook noting the count on the batter, the number of outs and location of runners.  The protesting manager shall submit a written report along with $25.00 cash to his/her commissioner within 48 hours. Both umpires shall also write a report on the violation.  The manager and umpire shall appear before the Board of NCTL at the Board’s convenience.  The money shall go to the park involved.

Charged conferences (offense or defense) will be determined by home plate umpire, two (2) per inning. Delay of game will be a judgment call by the chief umpire.

RULE 10 - PITCHING RULE

On the second trip by a team representative to the pitching mound for the same pitcher in the same inning, the pitcher must be removed from pitching position for the remainder of the inning.

RULE 11 – 10 RUN RULE

The 10 run is in effect for all divisions.  After 5 innings if one team is ahead by 10 runs the game is called.  The mercy rule will be as follows:  15 runs after the 3rd inning providing the losing team has batted their entire lineup.

RULE 12 - 5 RUN RULE

For 10 & Under and 12 & Under only, 5 runs per inning allowed and no additional runs will be counted.

RULE 13 - BLOOD RULE

The blood rule as described in the ASA rule book will be in effect.

RULE 14 - COLLISION RULE

When a defensive player has the ball or is about to catch a thrown ball and the runner remains on his feet and crashes into the defensive player.  If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender shall be ejected.  An errant throw drawing the defense into the path of the runner is NOT interference.

THERE IS NO SLIDE RULE

RULE 15 - LOOK BACK RULE

When a runner is legitimately off a base after a pitch or as a result of a batter completing a turn at bat, and while the pitcher has the ball within an eight foot radius of the pitchers plate the runner may stop once, but then must immediately return to the base or attempt to advance to the next base.  Once the runner stops at a base for any reason, she will be declared out if she leaves the base.

SOFTBALL PLAYING RULES 2008

1. These playing rules supercede the official softball rulebook (ASA).
2. All softball divisions:  A team must start with and finish with eight (8) players. Tardy players must be placed at the bottom of the batting order. Once you have the 8th player at game time you start the game.
3. All divisions must wear full batting helmet while batting and running the bases. Players are to keep on the helmet until they leave the field, until time is called or during natural stoppage of play. Chin straps and face shields are mandatory in the North County Travel League.
4. Pitchers may use multi-colored gloves or solid colored gloves provided one of the colors is not white, grey or yellow.
5. All catchers will wear protective headgear and throat protectors.
6. All uniform shirts must have numbers.  No team may have duplicate numbers.
7. Softball bats only can be used.  Exception:  10 & Under can use T-Ball bats.
8. THE FOLLOWING RULES PERTAIN TO 10 & UNDER ONLY:
   1. 10 & Under only will use 11 inch softballs.
   2. 10 & Under only do not have to hold third strike.
   3. 10 & Under can take lead off base upon release of pitch, but runners cannot steal any base.
   4. No infield fly rule in 10 & Under.
   5. 10 & Under the batter/base runner may not advance beyond first base on a walk.  She is awarded first base only.
   6. In 10 & Under, a coach or manager can stand behind the catcher when their team is on defense to help retrieve balls that the catcher misses.  This will help in speeding up the game.  Since there is no stealing, the coach can help in getting the ball back to the pitcher.
9. When there are two outs a courtesy runner may be used for the catcher only. Runner must be batter who made the previous out.
10. The home team will supply a new ball; the visitor will supply a suitable second ball for each game. Any official softball cor .47 or cor .50 will be acceptable.
11. Since unintentionally throwing the bat is not covered in the ASA book:
1. First offense:  The player shall be warned.
2. Second Offense:  The player shall be called out and the ball is dead.
3. Flagrant or intentional:  Player may be ejected from the game.
12. COMPLETE GAMES - All games shall be considered complete if called on account of a time limit, or weather conditions, and at least one hour and thirty minutes of actual playing time has elapsed, or if 5 innings are played.  If the inning is not complete, the score reverts back to the last complete inning, unless the home team is ahead or has tied the game when the game is called.  Tie games will be considered complete games and will be recorded as such in the standings.  Rain suspended games will be rescheduled and resumed at the exact point where they were stopped.  Teams will be given another 1:45 minute time limit to complete game.
13. All parks will have a 1 hour 45 minute time limit. No inning can start after the time limit.
14. Games ending in a tie, after 7 innings, can be played off if there is game time left.