RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SOFTBALL
Updated for the 2010 -
2011 season
1 SPORT SPECIFIC INFORMATION
1.1 - Season Start Date - March 1, 2011
1.1.1 - Season Start Date
- March 1, 2011 (Junior Varsity)
1.2 - Season End Date - May 14,
2011
1.2.1 - Season End Date - May 20, 2011 (Junior Varsity)
1.3 - Date
that all make-up games must be completed:
1.3.1 - A and B Varsity
Leagues - May 15, 2010
1.3.2 - Junior Varsity - May 20, 2011
1.4 - Tryout
dates - September 23, 2009 - October 23, 2009.
1.5 - Maximum number of
games, exclusive of playoffs - No Maximum
1.6 - Minimum number of players
required to start a game - nine (9) players. It is recommended that each team
have fifteen (15) active players.
1.7 - Times of
games
1.7.1 - Games will start promptly at 4:00PM for A, B, and Junior
Varsity unless a change in time is mutually agreed upon by the schools, and is
included in the official league schedules, as posted on www.psal.org.
1.7.2
- A forfeit will be declared if a team does not show up within 30 minutes of
game time.
1.8 - All teams are required to complete their league schedules,
and all games must be completed byMay 14, 2011 (Varsity
Leagues) and May 20, 2011 (Junior Varsity
Leagues).
1.9 - All games rained out, must be
rescheduled and played within a two-week window period following the original
rain out date. If the game is not rescheduled and played within that window
period it will be counted as forfeits for both teams involved.
2 TRYOUTS & PRACTICE
2.1 Schools must have five (5) days of practice prior to the
first interschool scrimmage. Students must have five (5) days of practice prior
to the first interschool scrimmage.
2.2 Schools must have ten (10)
days of practice prior to the first interschool game.
Students must
have ten (10) days of practice prior to the first interschool
game.
2.3 Approved tryout dates for all students are - September 23, 2009 -
October 23, 2009.
2.4 A school may not conduct organized practices prior
to March 1, 2011.
3 TEAM ROSTERS
3.1 All coaches must electronically submit a Team Roster with jersey numbers
to www.psal.org
ONE WEEK prior to the first scheduled contest of the season
(league or non-league). NO LATER THAN MARCH 16,
2011 and MARCH 29, 2011.
3.2 No PSAL team is
permitted to compete unless an approved team roster is posted on the
website.
3.3 Failure to submit the above will result in a forfeit
for each contest played.
3.4 Minimum number of players "in uniform"
required to start a game is NINE (9)
4 CHANGES IN SCHEDULE
4.1 The PSAL office will issue official schedules for each sport.
4.2
Coaches have an opportunity to request adjustments or corrections to dates,
times, and locations.
4.3 Any changes in the Varsity schedule must be made
between January 21, 2011 and February 3, 2011.
4.4 The
procedure for requesting schedule changes is to contact Yolanda Alford,
Scheduler at Yalford@schools.nyc.gov with your
date requests by February 03, 2011.
4.5 Please include the
original game number, new date, time and location.
4.6 All parties involved
must be contacted and in total agreement, therefore please contact the opposing
coach and agree on a new date before making your request.
4.7 All
coaches are required to email or fax a copy of their team's non-league schedule
attention to Softball Coordinator, Tyrone Parker to TParker2@schools.nyc.gov or
(718) 707-4224/25 prior to their first contest of the season (league or
non-league).
4.8 Any changes in the Junior Varsity schedule must be
made between March 1, 2010 and March 16, 2010.
4.9 Everyone must be aware
that site availability is a major concern when rescheduling a contest. Your
requests will be carefully reviewed and if possible the change will be
made
4.10 AFTER February 03, 2011 (VARSITY) and March 29, 2011
(JV) ONLY EMERGENCY REQUESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE COORDINATOR or
COMMISSIONER.
4.10.1 To make emergency requests:
a. The two
coaches should select a new date.
b. The home team coach should contact the
commissioner to request the change.
c. Visiting coach should be cc'd on all
correspondents to commissioner.
d. If the commissioner approves, the new date
will be posted on the website.
4.11 NO CHANGE IS OFFICIAL UNTIL IT
HAS BEEN CHANGED ON THE SCHOOLS SCHEDULE POSTED ON THE PSAL WEBSITE.
5 SEVERE WEATHER DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS
5.1 OUTDOOR SPORTS-ONLY
5.1.1. Sports with Officials: The teacher coach of
the home team must notify the Athletic Director and or the teacher/coach of the
opposing team and the assignor of a cancellation by 1:00 PM for regularly
scheduled league games.
5.2.1. All games will be played as scheduled unless
cancelled by the PSAL. Check www.PSAL.org after 1:00 PM on game day.
5.3. NO
CHANGE IS OFFICIAL UNTIL IT HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE SCHOOLS' SCHEDULES AND ON THE
PSAL WEBSITE.
5.4 RAINOUT PROCEDURE: To reschedule a
rainout
5.4.1. The two coaches should select a new date, and the
home team coach must secure the use of the field.
5.4.2. If a city parks
field is required, the home coach must contact Yolanda Alford at YAlford@schools.nyc.gov. Please
include the suggested city park for your use. We will attempt to get the
requested field. Please keep in mind if you request a city park field we have to
request a permit from the Parks Dept. Therefore games requested to be scheduled
the following day are highly unlikely to be scheduled. Please provide more than
one available date for rescheduling.
5.4.3. If a team is playing on a school
or private field please contact the assignor, Alan Wharton at AlanWharton1790@yahoo.com or
516-481-0364 (work) or 516-481-3016 (fax).
5.4.4. NO CHANGE IS OFFICIAL
UNTIL IT HAS BEEN CHANGED ON THE SCHOOL'S SCHEDULE POSTED ON THE WEB
6 STUDENT- ATHLETES
6.1 Each student-athlete must have a signed parental consent form on file for
each sport before the first day of participation in that sport (tryouts,
practice).
6.2 Each student-athlete must have a current (within one calendar
year) medical certificate on file before the first day of participation
(tryouts, practices).
6.3 No player in house or transferring from another
school may be added to a team roster after April 28, 2011 for
all leagues.
6.4 On days of normal school attendance, a student-athlete must
be present in school in order to participate in any team practice, scrimmage,
league or non-league game, meet, match, contest or tryouts on that day.
7 TEACHER/COACHES
7.1 All coaches must attend one of the mandatory coaching clinics.
7.2
Failure to attend will result in a loss of 2 hours from your coaching
allocation.
7.3 Games cannot proceed unless both coaches are present and the
required AED unit is present. All coaches must bring their AED unit to all
games, practices and scrimmages.
7.4 At least one (1) AED MUST be present,
for a coach to practice, scrimmage, or play a game.
7.5 If it is a game
situation and neither team has an AED unit, the game will be declared a forfeit
and each coach will have 4 hours deducted from his/her allocation.
7.6
Coaches must be present in the gymnasium/field when his/her team is
practicing.
7.7 Each teacher/coach must actively supervise team members until
they are safely away from the site of competition at "away" games.
7.8 Only
a licensed teacher with current First Aid/CPR/ AED may substitute for the
assigned teacher coach.
7.9 All teacher/coaches or members of the
team who coach at 1st or 3rd base must be in full uniform or athletic apparel
with school logo and/or school colors.
7.10 Members of the
team (students) coaching at 1st or 3rd must wear a helmet.
7.11
Umpires will speak only to the head teacher/coach during a
dispute.
8 VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACHES
8.1 Volunteer assistant coaches are permitted to be on the bench during a
game, provided that they are duly authorized by the school Principal.
8.2 A
letter of authorization from the Principal must be affixed to the official
scorebook, for inspection by officials and coaches. WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM
THE PSAL IS NOT REQUIRED.
8.3 If an assistant is to substitute at any time
for the Head Coach, the assistant must be in possession of a six digit
Department of Education file number and fully certified in First
Aid/CPR/AED.
8.4 All pertinent regulations regarding for the use of
volunteers in the schools must be adhered to.
8.5 All volunteer
coaches/assistants must be fingerprinted by the Department of
Education.
9 OFFICIALS
9.1 Assignor
Alan Wharton - alanwharton1790@yahoo.com
9.2 All officials
will be assigned by the PSAL.
9.3 Notify the Sports Commissioner or the
appropriate Assignor by email or phone when an official is late or not present.
They are due at site 30 minutes before game time.
9.4 Only officials who have
been approved by the PSAL, and whose names appear on the officials' roster may
be hired for league and non-league games.
9.5 When the second umpire arrives
he/she may only go behind plate at the top of next inning.
10 FIELDS
10.1 All fields must be approved by the Sports Commissioner, prior to its
first usage.
10.2 Teams not using their school sites will designate the sites
for home games and notify the PSAL prior to the season by December 15,
2010.
10.3 All fields must have the following (which are the
responsibilities of the home team)
10.3.1 Home plate
10.3.2
Three (3) bases with a single construction double safety ORANGE first
base. All bases must be tied down except an artificial turf field without
cutouts. On artificial turf fields without cutouts the bases must be
weighted.
10.3.3 The Batter's Box and Pitching Circle are
optional
10.3.4 Foul Lines (chalk, powder of flower can be used - NO
LYME
10.3.5 At least two (2) softballs
10.4 Schools that do not provide
the above mentioned items may forfeit their games while in violation.
10.5
Any violations of the above must be reported to the PSAL and the Sports
Commissioner immediately.
11 EQUIPMENT
11.1 SOFTBALLS MUST HAVE A .470 CORE and be optic yellow with red
stitching.
11.2 Double earflap batters helmets with chinstraps are mandatory
- must have the NOCSAE label.
11.3 In order for a game to start each team
must have a minimum of 4 helmets with chin straps.
11.4 NOCSAE approved
hockey-style mask, warning label, throat protector and a double earflap
catcher's helmet, chest protector and shin guards are mandatory for
catchers.
11.5 A double base at first base is mandatory and must be a single
construction unit.
11.6 The home team will provide at least two (2) new game
balls.
11.7 Safety Equipment
11.7.1 AED Unit MUST be present at
ALL practices, scrimmages and games.
11.7.2 The PSAL recommends that
all coaches travel with a team medical bag, which includes the following
items:
11.7.2.1 Slings (small, medium, large)
11.7.2.2 Splints
(short)
11.7.2.3 Gauze pads, butterflies and adhesive bandages
11.7.2.4
Eye patches
11.7.2.5 Eye irrigating solution
11.7.2.6 Peroxide and sterile
saline
11.7.2.7 Scissors (blunt tip, tape cutter) tape (1/4 to 2 inches
wide), ace wraps (2, 4, 6 inches), antiseptic wash and antibacterial
ointment
11.7.2.8 Cotton (cotton swab applicators), tongue depressors, ice
packs and mobile phone (if possible)
11.8 Teams may not begin a game
sharing equipment. The team that is not properly equipped will
forfeit
12 UNIFORMS
12.1 All players must be in appropriate school uniforms as specified
in the Amateur Softball Association Rules Book
12.2 Jewelry - No
wearing of jewelry by a student athlete is permitted. Umpires/Referees will ask
student athletes to remove jewelry. If she does not, then she will be
ejected.
12.3 Uniforms must be fully tucked into uniform pants or
shorts.
12.4 Hats/visors must be facing
forward.
13 COMPETITIONS
13.1 Home Team
13.1.1 The first team named in the schedule is the home
team.
13.2 Teams will have a maximum of 15 minutes practice time before each
game.
13.3 Bench/Dugout Area
13.3.1 The only people permitted in the
designated bench are:
13.3.2 The teacher coach (Varsity and/or Junior
Varsity)
13.3.3 Assistant teacher/coaches authorized by the Principal and
affixed to scorebook.
13.3.4 Student Managers, only as listed on the team
profile
13.3.5 Team Members, only as listed on the official roster published
on www.psal.org in
full uniform.
13.3.6 Sports Specific personnel (example: physicians,
trainers, etc).
13.4 All other persons and spectators must be seated in the
stands.
13.5 Violation of this rule can result in penalties to be determined
by the PSAL
13.6 Courtesy Runner Rule
13.6.1 The coach may opt to have a
player run for the catcher and/or pitcher, at anytime.
13.6.2 The runner must
not have been in the game, and the same runner cannot run for both the catcher
and the pitcher.
13.7 Pace of Game
13.7.1 Players are required to run on
and off the field.
13.7.2 Umpires may issue a verbal warning if a teams do
not hustle on and off the field.
13.7.3 If the batter is taking too long to
get into the batter's box the umpire may declare a strike.
13.7.4 If the
pitcher is taking too long between pitches the umpire may declare a ball.
14 SCORING
14.1 Both teams must keep official score
14.2 Prior to each game coaches
must submit a lineup card to the home plate umpire and opposing coach complete
with the names, positions and numbers of All players and all coaches.
15 REGULATION GAME
15.1.1 As specified in the Amateur Softball Association Rules
Book
15.1.2 A game is official after 5 innings or if the home team is winning
after 4.5 innings.
15.2 MERCY RULE
15.2.1 A team
ahead by: twenty (20) runs after completing three (3)
innings
15.2.2 A team ahead by: fifteen (15) runs after
completing four (4) innings or
15.2.3 ten (10) runs after
completing five (5) innings will be declared the
winner.
15.3 SUSPENDED GAMES
15.3.1 A suspended game will be
continued from the end of the last completed inning at a later date. If the
games suspended due to permit issues, game will resume at point of
suspension.
15.4 POSTPONMENTS
15.4.1 If an emergency arises on the day of
competition where a game must be postponed, the teacher/coach of the team with
the emergency must notify the other coach, the assignor, the officials and the
commissioner.
15.4.2 Any game not played for any reason - the assignor,
officials and commissioner must be notified.
15.4.3 A rained out
game must be played within the TWO-WEEK Period following the
rainout.
15.4.4 Make-up league games take precedence over non-league
games.
15.4.5 Decisions on field safety (wet grounds) must be made by the
home coach in sufficient time to notify the PSAL Assignor and the opposing
coach/Athletic Director, officials, and commissioner no later than 1:00 PM for
regularly scheduled league games.
15.5 GAMES CAN NOT BE POSTPONED DUE TO COLD
WEATHER.
16 BOX SCORES
16.1 Following each PSAL league contest, coaches are required to complete and
submit box scores, within 24 hours, to www.psal.org.
17 FORFEITS
17.1 FOUR (4) hours of pay will be deducted from the teacher/coach's
allocation for each forfeit of a non-played PSAL League game.
17.2 A forfeit
will be declared if a team does not show up within 30 minutes of game
time.
17.3 A forfeit will be declared for any team having less than nine (9)
players suited up for a contest.
17.4 All forfeits must be reported to the
Sport's Commissioner and the Assignor within 24 hours of the contest.
17.5
The box score for a forfeited contest will be entered by the Sport's
Commissioner.
17.6 Coaches may be subject to further disciplinary action
based up the circumstances surrounding the forfeit.
18 PROTESTS
18.1 Protests may only be made if a rule is alleged to have been applied
incorrectly, or not applied.
18.2 No protest of judgment calls may be
entered.
18.3 Coach must verbally inform the lead official of the protest
before play commences or resumes.
18.4 The protesting coach must ensure that
a written statement of protest containing all pertinent information and citing
the exact rule or rules as specified in the Amateur Softball Association Rules
Book is signed by both the school's Athletic Director and Principal and
postmarked, emailed or faxed to the Commissioner and opposing Athletic Director
within two school days of the infraction.
18.5 No protest will be reviewed
without the required signatures.
18.6 The Commissioner will render a formal
decision within two school days of receipt.
18.7 The protesting coach may
appeal the Commissioner's decision by ensuring that a written statement of
appeal, containing all pertinent information, signed by both the school's
Athletic Director and Principal is postmarked, emailed or faxed to the Softball
Coordinator and opposing Athletic Director within two school days of receipt of
the Commissioner's decision.
18.8 No appeal will be reviewed without the
required signatures.
18.9 The Softball Coordinator will render a formal
decision within two school days of receipt.
18.10 The decision of the PSAL
is final.
19 DEVELOPMENTAL TEAMS
19.1 A developmental team is a new team entering the league for the first
time or a team designated by the PSAL.
19.2 Upon completing their first
season, teams will be reviewed by the PSAL and have the option of petitioning
the PSAL for "official" status.
19.3 Developmental teams must adhere to all
of the rules governing PSAL teams.
19.4 The team record does not count in the
Division standings.
19.5 The PSAL will assign a schedule for each
developmental team.
19.6 Officials will be paid by the PSAL for each game
assigned by the PSAL.
20 EJECTED STUDENT ATHLETES
20.1 The minimum penalty imposed upon a student-athlete ejected from a PSAL
league contest by an official will be a suspension from the next two scheduled
PSAL contests (including league, post-season, or special events).
20.2 The
official will notify the Sports Commissioner immediately after the
contest.
20.3 The teacher/coach must post the student-athlete as INACTIVE on
the PSAL website.
20.4 The teacher/coach of the suspended student-athlete
may appeal to the PSAL prior to the subsequent contest.
20.5 The PSAL may
impose further sanctions if there is evidence that such sanctions are
justified.
20.6 The PSAL will notify the teacher/coach of the decision prior
to the next scheduled league contest.
21 EJECTED TEACHER/COACHES
21.1 Any teacher/coach who is ejected from the contest must leave the
field.
21.2 If a certified replacement teacher/coach (Department of Education
licensed teacher with current First Aid, AED, and CPR certifications) is not
available, the ejected teacher/coach's team will forfeit the contest.
21.3
The official will notify the PSAL of the ejection immediately after the
game.
21.4 The ejected teacher/coach will be suspended:
21.4.1 1st
Ejection during current season- One (1) game suspension for the next scheduled
league game (regular season or playoffs)
21.4.2 2nd Ejection during current
season -Two (2) games suspension and subject to further disciplinary action by
the Principal, Superintendent and or the PSAL.
22 BRAWL RULE
22.1 In the event of an altercation, if a teacher/coach loses control of
their bench and players clear the bench to participate in an altercation-THAT
GAME WILL BE DECLARED A FORFEIT AND THE TEAM WILL FORFEIT A MINIMUM OF THE NEXT
2 SCHEDULED LEAGUE GAMES.
22.2 In the event of an altercation, if
teacher/coaches lose control of their benches and both benches clear to
participate in an altercation-THAT GAME WILL BE DECLARED A DOUBLE FORFEIT AND
BOTH TEAMS WILL FORFEIT A MINIMUM OF THE NEXT 2 SCHEDULED LEAGUE
GAMES.
22.3 The PSAL Director may impose further sanctions if there is
evidence that such sanctions are warranted.
23 DROPPING TEAMS FROM ACTIVE STATUS
23.1 If a team forfeits 3 games during the season for not having the minimum
number of players available for a league contest, that teams schedule will be
cancelled for the remainder of the season.
23.2 The team's status for the
following season will be reviewed by the PSAL.
24 PLAYOFF CRITERIA
24.1 CRITERIA FOR A PLAYOFFS
24.1.1 32 teams will qualify for the
playoffs.
24.1.2 All teams with a record of .500 and above will qualify for
the A playoffs.
24.1.3 At large teams will be selected to complete
the field of 32 teams.
24.1.4 At large teams will be selected by
strength of schedule.
24.1.5 The higher seed will be the home team until the
semifinal round.
24.1.6 Starting with the semifinal round the playoffs sites
will be neutral.
24.2 CRITERIA FOR B PLAYOFFS
24.2.1 League record - a
five hundred (.500) league record will automatically qualify a team for the
playoffs.
24.2.2 The higher seed will be the home team until the semifinal
round.
24.2.3 Starting with the semifinal round the playoffs sites will be
neutral.
24.2.4 Starting with the semifinal round the remainder of the
playoffs will follow the double elimination format.
24.2.5 All winners'
bracket teams will retain their seeds as long as they remain in the winner's
bracket; therefore, the higher seed will be the home team.
24.2.6 Home field
advantage in the elimination bracket will be determined by a coin toss called by
the higher seed.
24.3 The Mercy Rule will apply during the playoffs;
however, it will not apply on Championship Day if a team faces elimination.
25 OFFICIAL SPORT SPECIFIC RULES & REGULATIONS
25.1 The PSAL follows the official Amateur Softball Association Rules Book
for all games.
25.2 The Executive Director of the PSAL reserves the right to
overrule or waive any rule or regulation governing the sport.
