Rules and Regulations
GENERAL RULES
1) Softball shall be open to both male and female players ¡V Male rosters shall consist of male players only, and female rosters shall consist of female players only.
2) Conditions of Entry shall be as per World Masters Games Rules.
3) Determining age for players shall be as at 31 December 2002
4) There shall be two age groups of competition ¡V 35 to 44, and 45 and over. Players¡¦ aged 45+ will also be permitted to register in a 35-44 age group team.
5) Softball participants in the 35-44 years age group will be permitted to register in one team only and during the competition compete only in the team in which they are registered.
6) The dates and duration of the competition shall be between Saturday, 5th October 2002 to Sunday, 13th October 2002.
7) Each team must register team officials and must include at least a scorer and an umpire. Other officials may include a coach, an assistant coach and a manager. There will be no age restrictions on non-playing team officials.
8) The Victorian Softball Association, in conjunction with the Umpire in Chief, will appoint umpires as required. Game assignment shall be by the VSA Allocations Committee, prior to the commencement of the event, changes required after the commencement shall be at the discretion of the UIC for the venue.
9) Teams must register a playing uniform, and all players in all games must wear this uniform. Coaches must wear at least a uniform top in team colours. Numbers on tops are mandatory.
10) Umpires must wear the uniform as detailed in the ISF Rules
11) Any sports injury incurred during participation must be reported to the Registrar/Recorder on the same day as the injury was incurred, or as soon as practicable thereafter.
12) Sponsorship on uniforms is permissible. It is preferred that letters be restricted to 6¡¨
(153mm) by 1.2¡¨ (38mm) and logos to 9 sq. ins. (5806.4 sq mm)
COMPETITION RULES
1. Eligibility
.1 All players and officials must be officially entered in the 2002 World Masters Games.
.2 Registered players must meet the minimum age criteria, as per the 2002 World Masters Games Age Policy, set out in the entry form, for the age group in which they are competing.
.3 Age groups will be 35+ and 45+ for both Fastpitch and Slowpitch Competition. Divisions may be graded, depending on the number of team entries received.
.4 Teams using players found ineligible under the above rules shall have all games in which the ineligible player has participated declared a forfeit.
.5 Non-playing registered officials are not required to meet the age criteria.
.6 Team members 45+ may play in more than one age group. There will be no interchange of players between teams once competition has commenced.
2. Substitutes
.1 Substitutes will be accepted (provided that they meet the age criteria) for a person who is entered but unable to attend.
.2 Notification and arrangements must be done through the World Masters Games Registration Office, and appropriate credentials presented to the Softball Records Officer prior to, or at, the Managers¡¦ meeting.
3. Medal Policy
.1 Only fully registered players and officials who have paid the full Games entry fee and relevant sports fee are eligible to receive medals.
.2 Registered participants must satisfy age group requirements to receive medals, and;
.3 Any person on the team roster is eligible for a medal.
.4 Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in each age group and grade.
.5 The winner of the finals game 1v2 in each age group or grade shall be awarded the Gold Medal, the loser of the 1v2 game shall be awarded the Silver Medal. The winner of the Finals games 3v4 in each age group or grade shall be awarded the Bronze medal.
6. Meetings
.1 A meeting of all participating team managers shall be conducted at each venue at 8.00am, Saturday 5th October 2002, at which all team rosters must be submitted, and any substitutions confirmed.
2. Attendance at this meeting is compulsory, for at least one representative of each competing
team.
3. A Technical meeting for umpires will take place at 8.00am on Saturday, 5th October 2002, for the purpose of Rules discussion, including any local ground rules. Attendance at this meeting is compulsory for all umpires.
7. Playing Rules
.1 All games shall be played under the current Official Rules of the International Softball Federation, unless otherwise stated in these Rules. Note that the Rule Changes relating to distances, adopted by ISF in November 2001, will NOT be applied at these Games, nor will the Rule relating to the Designated Player.
.2 All games shall start and finish according to the game schedule (unless otherwise advised). The umpires will time the game.
.3 All games (except finals) will be a minimum of 75, and a maximum of 90 minutes or 7 innings, whichever occurs first.
(Note this is subject to team entry numbers)
.4 If the score is level at the end of a regulation game (7 innings) and allocated time permits, the tiebreaker rule will apply from the top of the eighth innings.
.5 ¡§Game¡¨ shall be called precisely 90 minutes from the scheduled commencement time of the game.
.6 No new innings shall commence with less than five (5) minutes playing time remaining.
.7 The score shall revert to that of the last even innings, except that, if the team second at bat has more runs when time expires, OR, in its incomplete inning has TIED the score, then the score shall stand.
8. Finals games will be seven (7) innings or a result, with a maximum time allowed of 120 minutes and equal innings, with the tiebreaker rule applying at the top of the eighth (8th) innings.
.9 Note that the ISF Rules in relation to fence and pitching distances, adopted in November 2001, will NOT be applied at these Games.
8. Mercy Rule
.1 The mercy rule as set forth in the International Softball Federation Rules shall apply in all games.
That is:
a) In Fastpitch, 20 runs after 3 innings, 15 runs after four innings, or 10 runs after five innings.
b) In Slowpitch, 20 runs after four innings, or 15 runs after five innings.
9. Protests
.1 Protests relating to playing rules shall be heard on the diamond by the Umpire in Chief, or a person appointed by the UIC. Play shall be suspended until the result of such protest is known. It is the responsibility of the protesting team to obtain the services of the UIC to hear a protest.
.2 Note that time will not be added for that lost during a protest.
10. Designated Hitters (DH): (Fastpitch Only)
.1 Teams may use a DH as per official ISF rulebook 2000/2001.
.2 Teams with a Designated Hitter listed in the line up must start and finish with ten (10) players.
11. Extra Player (EP): (Slowpitch Only)
.1 Teams with an EP listed in the line up must start and finish with eleven (11) players.
12. Designated Runner (DR): Fastpitch Only)
.1 Teams may use a DR during a game (only once per inning) for any base runner.
.2 The DR must be named on the official scorecard prior to the commencement of the game.
.3 The DR may not otherwise enter the game, either defensively or offensively.
13. Catchers: (All Divisions)
.1 When a player who will take the field in the immediate next defensive innings as the catcher is on base, and there are two out, a runner (any eligible team member) may replace that player. The offensive team should call time and advise the plate umpire of the changeover. The intent is to hasten the changeover of innings.
14. Scorecards & Bench Lists (Line-up Card)
14.1 Scorecards
.1 Scorecards will be issued at the manager¡¦s meeting.
.2 The first named team for each game is to supply the scorecard, and retain during the game.
Each team to complete their own participant¡¦s names.
.3 At the conclusion of the game the completed scorecard is to be signed by both teams and the umpires.
.4 The winning team is responsible for the return of the scorecard to the administration area.
.5 The completed card must be lodged within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the game. Non-lodgement of the card as required will result in a loss of points for the game.
.6 In the event of a draw, the first named team will be responsible for the return of the scorecard.
14.2 Bench Lists (Line-up Card)
.1 The bench list or line up card must be completed by each team scorer in triplicate. One copy is
retained by the team, with two being passed to the plate umpire prior to commencement of the
game. The Plate Umpire will each team a copy of the opposing teams line-up.
15. Match Balls
.1 Match balls will be provided by the umpires prior to the game, and must be returned to them at the completion of the game.
16. Uniforms
.1 All team members must be attired in similar uniform. Uniform numbers are mandatory.
17. Determination of Home Team
.1 During the rounds the first named team in the program will occupy 1st base bench and bat first. The second named team will be the home team and will bat second.
.2 The home team in Finals will be determined by the toss of a coin. The call shall be by the team finishing highest after the completion of the rounds. The toss will be conducted by the Umpire in Chief, or a person appointed by the UIC, 60 minutes prior to the scheduled commencement time of the game, at an area to be advised. A representative from each team is required to attend the toss.
18. Pitcher Warm-up
.1 Pitchers shall be allowed no more than five warm up pitches at the commencement of the game, and not more than three (3) warm-up pitches at the start of each subsequent half innings and when one pitcher replaces another.
.2 Note that a pitcher returning to the pitching position in the same half inning shall not be entitled to any warm-up pitches.
19. Ground Rules;
.1 On all diamonds, the ball is alive off the fence or net. On unfenced diamonds the ball is dead once it crosses the lines marking the limits of the playing field.
20. Open Field Blocked Batted Ball Rule
.1 A blocked ball is a batted or thrown ball that is touched, stopped or handled by a person not engaged in the game, or which touches any object that is not part of the official equipment or playing field, or which enters unplayable territory.
.2 Where a diamond is open (ie not totally enclosed, or with no home run fence) the following shall apply:
X When a fair-batted ball is blocked before 200 feet, (Female FP), 225 feet (Male FP), 265 feet (Female SP) or 275 feet (Male SP) the award will be two bases (as per rule book).
X When a fair batted ball is blocked beyond 200 feet (Female FP), 225 feet (Male FP), 265 Feet (Female SP) or 275 feet (Male SP) the batter runner will be awarded third base, unless they have reached home before the ball becomes blocked, in which case they shall retain the base reached. The award to the Batter/Runner shall govern all other runners.
21. Smoking
.1 Smoking is not permitted in the bench areas or on the playing field. It should also be noted that, by
Law, the building areas are smoke free at each venue. Smoking in these areas is prohibited.
22. Alcohol & Drugs
.1 Alcohol is not permitted in the bench areas or on the playing field. The consumption of alcohol is restricted to the licensed areas.
.2 Any player/official found drinking during the game will be ejected. The ejected player/official will face a Disciplinary Committee Hearing.
.3 Any player/official displaying behaviour consistent with being under the influence of alcohol or a drug and deemed to be a danger to themselves or a threat to the safety of others, will be ejected from the game.
.4 It is possible that the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA) may carry out random drug testing.
23. Ejection of Players/Officials;
.1 Should any player/official be ejected from a game, the umpire(s) concerned shall submit a written report to the Umpire in Chief immediately after the conclusion of the game in question.
.2 Any player/official ejected from the game for offensive conduct shall appear before the Disciplinary Committee.
.3 The Disciplinary Hearing shall be conducted as close as possible to the conclusion of the game in question.
.4 The Disciplinary Committee shall have the power to impose one of the following penalties:
X Reprimand the Player/Official, or,
X Suspend the player/official for any or all of the remaining games in the event.
24. Points
.1 Points will be awarded in the following manner:
«Two points for a win
«One point for a draw
«No points for a loss
« (Teams awarded a forfeit allocated two points, as for a win)
« For any game officially cancelled due to weather or ground conditions, each team will be awarded one point.
25. Finals Position
.1 The top four teams in each age group or grade after the minor rounds will advance to the finals games.
.2 The finals games will be:
3v4 for the Bronze Medals
1v2 for the Gold and Silver Medals.
.3 The position of teams on equal points at the conclusion of the minor round games shall be determined by the calculation of the total runs against.
.4 If teams are equal on points and run against, the winner of the head to head game between the two teams shall be placed the higher.
26. Eligibility for Finals (Players)
1. Players must have competed in a minimum of 30 percent of the games available to a particular
team, to be eligible to represent that team in Finals.
27. Weather
.1 The Venue Disputes Committee shall determine the fitness of the grounds for play.
.2 Once the game has commenced, the fitness of the ground for play shall be at the sole discretion of the plate umpire.
28. Cancelled Games
.1 Any game cancelled due to weather and/or ground conditions may be re-scheduled.
.2 Games that cannot be re-scheduled will be officially cancelled.
.3 Points for officially cancelled games will be awarded as for a draw.
.4 Any game started but not completed due to weather and/or ground conditions shall only be considered a legal game if either three (3) innings have been completed, or forty five (45) minutes of playing time has elapsed.
.5 Finals: In the event that the final games are officially cancelled due to weather and/or ground conditions, the winner of the age group or grade will be determined by the highest placing at the completion of the minor round.
29. Blood in Sport Rule
.1 In the event of a participant bleeding, the guidelines of the ASMF (attached) will be followed.
30. Other Matters
.1 Any matter not specifically covered in these rules shall be referred to the Venue Disputes Committee for a decision.
.2 This Committee will comprise of the Venue Convenor, Deputy Venue Convenor, the Umpire in Chief and the Deputy Umpire in Chief, any three (3) of whom shall form a quorum for the purposes of hearing and resolving a dispute.
.3 Any member of the Disputes Committee has the authority to check player/official credentials.
.4 The Disputes Committee will also act as the Disciplinary Committee, and will hear the umpire reports for team personnel ejected from games.
31. Appeals
.1 In the event of an appeal against any decision of the Disputes Committee, in any capacity, such
appeal must be lodged in writing with the Venue Convenor, within 120 minutes of the notification of
the decision giving rise to the appeal.
.2 Appeals shall be heard by a committee comprising the ISF Representative, who will chair any
meeting, the Chair of the Softball Organising Committee, and one other member who may be co-
opted.
.3 Any decision of this committee shall be final and binding upon all parties.
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