League Rules 2003
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                            Hillcrest Softball League
                                League Rules 2003
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** - Indicates new or modified rule for the 2003 season.



			Section I - Rules of the Game:

Introduction:

The rules of a regulation game of the Hillcrest Softball League will be the 
same rules as a standard regulation softball game, unless the rule is in conflict
with, or supplemented by this document. 

Requirements for the Game:

Article I - Number of Players: **
 
i) **	All teams will play with either nine or ten fielders with the option of adding a 
designated and/or extra hitter. 
ii)	Should a team have only nine players, then that team is still eligible to play, 
although that team will play without their tenth fielder (short center). 
iii)	Should a team have only eight players, then that team is still eligible to 
play, although that team will play without their ninth fielder (catcher). The other
team will then supply a catcher, who is there for the sole purpose of returning balls
to the pitcher.  He many not be involved on any play in the game where there is a live
ball.
iv)	Once the ninth/tenth player of a team arrives, he may immediately enter the game
and will be automatically inserted into the lineup at the end.
v)	If a team fails to produce at least eight players from their team during a game, 
then that team forfeits that game.

Article II - Game Length and Forfeiting:

i) 	All games shall be nine innings long.
ii)	No team is allowed to forfeit a game unless they have batted for six innings.
(Unless they do not have enough players to play.)
iii)	Only the captain of a team may decide to forfeit a game. 


Batting:

Article III - Strike Zone:
i)	The league's proscribed strike zone shall be between the batter's shoulders
and knees, and the two sides of home plate. The ball must cross the plate on a 
fly to be a strike. 
ii)	If the ball hits the plate, it is an automatic ball.
iii)	Note: Should a batter try to shorten the strike zone by squatting
or crowd the plate, etc., this will have no bearing on the size of the 
strike zone.  The strike zone will be as if the batter did not squat.

Article IV - Caught Foul Ball:
Should a ball be hit into foul territory and is caught, then it must reach six 
feet in height above ground to count as an out.

Article V - Third Strike: **
i) **	Should a batter foul tip a third strike into the catcher's glove, the batter 
is out. (The ball need not reach six feet above ground.)  
ii)	Should a batter swing and miss at a third strike, the batter is out regardless 
of whether or not the ball was caught by the catcher.

Article VI - Bunting:
i)	Should a batter bunt a ball, then it counts as a strike.  
ii)	Should a batter with two strikes bunt a ball, then it counts as the third strike 
and that batter is out.

Article VII - Delay of Game:
Should a batter intentionally or unintentionally delay the game, that batters
team may be penalized one out (at most) at the umpire's discretion.

Article VIII - Thrown Bat: **
i)	Should a batter throw his bat after swinging or checking his swing either
intentionally or unintentionally, then that batter recieves an automatic out, which
counts as a strikeout.
ii) **	Should a batter be called out for a second time in a game for throwing his bat, 
then that player will be automatically ejected from the game.

Base Running:

Article IX - Base Leading 1:
The league's position regarding leading off any base is that it is NOT
allowed. (We don't care if you can't run) Should a batter from any team be
leading from any base (except home plate, wisenheimer!) then the umpire either may give
that runner's team a warning, or he may call that runner out, at his discretion.

Article X - Base Leading 2:
Runners are allowed to run on the SWING, not on the pitch. If at any time a
runner is off the base (because he ran on the swing etc.) The batter must
return to the base which he left. If the ball arrives at that base before he does, 
the runner is out. (The fielder need only step on the base.)

Article XI - Sliding:
i)	At Grass/Dirt Fields:
For any close play at a base other than first base, a base runner should slide 
into the base.  If the runner does not, and he noticeably interferes with the 
fielder's ability to make the play, then the runner is out.  What constitutes as
interference will be determined by the umpire.
ii)	At all other Fields:
Sliding is optional, although not recomended. For safety, we recomend that a fielder
should not 'block' the base, thereby avoiding a potentially dangerous collision.

Fielding:

Article XII - Infield Fly Rule:
The infield fly rule IS in effect in all games, although whether or not this
rule has been violated shall be determined by the umpire. (The umpire shall
call "Infield Fly.")

Article XIII - Interference by a Tree: **
i)	Should a ball hit a tree in foul territory, that ball shall be rendered foul
and unplayable. 
ii) **	should a ball hit a tree over-hanging the homerun fence, and bounce back onto
the field (foul or fair territory), then that ball will be played as if it had hit the
homerun fence. 
iii)	Note: If the ball hits the homerun fence, then that ball is still in play, even 
if a fielder catches it on a bounce off the fence. 

Pitching:

Article XIV - Automatic Balls:
i)	A pitcher must release the ball having one foot either on or behind the pitching
rubber.  Failure to do so will result in an automatic ball.
ii)	A pitcher must release the ball having his palm facing up.  That means that a
pitcher may not dramatically spin the ball, or have his plam face downward.  Failure
to do so will result in an automatic ball.
iii)	A pitcher may not use a windmill windup to pitch the ball. Failure to do so 
will result in an automatic ball.

Article XV - Hit Batsman:
i) 	A hit batter will not be awarded first base automatically.  If the ball was in 
the strike zone, then it will count as a strike, and if not it will count as a ball.
ii)	If a pitcher intentionally hits a batter, then that batter will be awarded
first base, and that pitcher will be automatically ejected from the game.

Lineup Changes:

Article XVI - Relief Pitchers:
	If a captain makes the decision to replace his pitcher, that same pitcher may not 
at any time re-enter the game as a pitcher. The relief pitcher is allowed ten pitches to 
warm up and then the game must resume.

Article XVII - Pinch Hitters and Runners 1:
i)	A captain may only use pinch hitters or runners, if he has an available player 
on his bench, that is not in the lineup.  i.e., If a player is already in the lineup, 
then he cannot pinch hit or pinch run for another player in the game.
ii)	In an emergency, a player already in the lineup may pinch run for another player, 
provided that there is no alternative solution.

Article XVIII - Pinch Hitters and Runners 2: **
i) **	A pinch hitter/runner may be used to pinch hit/run twice in a game.  After the 
half inning in which a player has pinch hit/run, either he or the original player in the 
lineup will remain on the bench, and the other will stay in the game.  
ii) **	The player who remains on the bench will be allowed to pinch hit/run one more 
time during the game.  After the second in which he pinch hits/runs, the pinch hitter 
must remain in the game, and the player in which he substitutes for will be out of the 
game for good.

Article XIX - Emergency Situations:
i)	If a player must leave the game due to an emergency and there are no players 
present on the bench, then that players spot in the lineup will be skipped.

Ground Rules:

Article XX - Ground Rule Changes: **
i) **	If both captains agree to a ground rule change, then they may change any ground 
rule which they both desire to change.  They must notify the Umpire of any such change.



	  Section II - Equipment, Dress Code, Injury and Conduct:

Article I - Gloves and Safety Equipment:
All players are required to bring their own softball/baseball glove to every
game. Any safety equipment required shall be provided by you! (The league
will NOT provide any safety equipment) 

Article II - Bats and Balls:
Bats shall be provided, however we encourage that you bring your own.  Only
metal bats are allowed, wooden and plastic ones are not.  The league shall
provide the game ball, however, you shall provide any practice balls.

Article III - Captains and Equipment:
It is the captains job to ensure that his team brings the necessary 
equipment to each game.

Article IV - Injury:
WARNING!!! The league is not responsible for any injures! You are playing at
your own risk! All safety equipment you require should be brought by you,
with you to all games. The league will not be held liable for any and all
injures.

Article V - Discrimination:
Should any player be unfairly discriminated against regardless of ability or 
otherwise then that player may address his/her complaints with the 
commissioner. Should that person's complaints prove valid, then that person 
may accept the commissioner's address and rectification of their problem, or 
accept a refund.

Article VI - Alchoholic Beverages
There will be NO alchoholic beverages permitted at any field during a game by any player.
Failure to adhere to this article will result in an automatic suspension or expulsion
from the league by the Commissioner, effective immediately.



         	    Section III - The Season Schedule:

Article I - Number of Games and Rain Outs: **
i) **	Each team shall play ten games, two against each of the other teams in the same 
division, and one against each of the other teams not in the same division.
ii)	Should there be rain, and the game is unable to be played at all, the
Commissioner will decide if and when the the game is made up.  There are rain
dates in the schedule to account for rain outs.  Since rain is an unexpected
occurrence, please check with you captain as to whether or not the game will
be played on a rainy day.

Article II - Official Games **
i) **	If an in progress game must be stopped, either by rain, or some emergency, or an 
unavoidable situation, then:
	a) If a full 7 innings has been played, the game officially counts.
	b) If a full 5 innings has not been played, then the game will not officially count. 
The game will be treated as if it were a rain out.
	c) If a full 5 innings have been played but not a full 7 innings, then it is up 
to the Commissioner to decide as to how to count the game.

Article II - The Playoffs: **
i)	At the end of the regular season, the two teams in first place will be decalred
"Regular Season Division Champions."  
ii) **	The top three teams in each division will make the playoffs.  There will be a
wildcard game, in which the second seeded team will play the third seeded team in each 
respective division.  The winner of the wildcard games shall play their respective Regular 
Season Division Champions for the Division Championship.
iii) **	The two Division Champions will play in the League Championship Game to determine 
the "League Champions."  
iv)	In all playoff games, the higher seeded team has the home field advantage.
v) **	In the League Championship game, if both teams have the same seed, then refer 
to Article III as to which team gets the home field advantage.

Article III - Standings: **

These are the rules for determining the order of the league standings:

i)	The overall record (winning percentage) is the chief factor in determining the
standings.  A better record means a higher ranking.
ii) **	If two teams have the same record, then the tie will be broken as follows: 

	The higher ranking team shall be the team with the better statistic in (in order 
of tie breaker):

	1) Head-to-Head record
	2) Divisional record
	3) Head-to-Head runs scored vs. runs allowed differential
	4) Divisional runs scored vs. runs allowed differential
	5) Overall runs scored vs. runs allowed differential
	6) Head-to-Head scoring differential against the hightest already ranked team in 
the division. (If tied, then next highest ranked team.)
	7) Head-to-Head scoring differential against the hightest already ranked team in 
the league. (If tied, then next highest ranked team.)
	8) 3-7 replaced with runs scored alone

iii) **	If three or more teams have the same record, then the tie will be broken as 
follows:

	The highest ranking team shall be the team with the better statistic in [If there 
is no highest, then the lowest ranking team with shall be the team with the worse 
statistic in] (in order of tie breaker):

	1) Head-to-Head record against the other two teams
	2) Divisional record
	3) Scoring differential among the tied teams
	4) As above (as 2 teams) with Head-to-Head being against the tied teams

	Now, after a ranked team is decided, then the same procedure is used to rank the 
other remaining teams with the same record.


			Section IV - Final Note:

These rules absolve the league of any liability and are subject to change
at any time, and cannot be used in a court of law, or against commissioner
Ariel Cohen and any of his not named conspirators at any time, place, or
event.


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Last Updated on : March 30, 2003 at 5:30 PM ET