PLEASE NOTE:  Team Managers are responsible for their team’s knowledge of the PALSL Rules and their behavior on the field, as well as monitoring that their team’s bats and other equipment being used conforms to the PALSL Rules (the “Rules”).  Please be sure to keep a copy of the up-to-date Rules and Bat Lists with you.

1.                  SPORTSMANSHIP 

a.       First and foremost, each team is expected to display the utmost sportsmanship both on and off the field.  The primary purpose of this league is to allow law firms from across Silicon Valley to have fun interacting in a family friendly environment.  We ask that all players are respectful and courteous of each other and of opposing teams at all times.

2.                  ELIGIBILITY

a.        This is an ADULT coed softball league.  TEAMS ALLOWING PLAYERS LESS THAN 18 YEARS OF AGE TO TAKE THE FIELD WILL FORFEIT ALL GAMES AND BE REMOVED FROM THE LIST OF TEAMS ELIGIBLE TO PLAY IN THE PALSL. 

3.                  TEAMS

a.       A Team consists of 10 defensive players, of which at least 3 must be female.  However, please note that that is the minimum; teams are encouraged to play with more female players whenever possible. Players may play in any field position desired.  If you are short one female player, you may play with 2 female players and take an out, and have only 9 defensive players on the field.  A male or female may bat after the out has been taken for the missing female batter. Teams may play with a minimum of 8 players (including 2 females) before a forfeit is declared.  Any Team without the minimum number of 8 players, of which at least 2 must be females, automatically forfeits.  Forfeit time is 15 minutes after game is scheduled to begin.  With respect to Twin Creeks players not associated with a law firm, in the spirit of fairness and good sportsmanship, Managers may pull one (1) player from Twin Creeks and/or (2) players from PALSL teams to meet the minimum number of players (8) required to avoid forfeit.  

4.                  MANAGERS:

Each Team must have at least one Manager.  Having a Co-Manager is helpful but not required.

a.       Managers are responsible for their Team and all of its players’/guest players’ behavior on the field

b.      Managers will ensure that all of their players/guest players are familiar with the Rules before taking the field and that they adhere to those Rules while on the field;

c.       Managers will ensure that all of their Team’s/players’ equipment (bats, shoes, t-shirts/jerseys, etc.) adhere to the Rules;

d.      Only Managers are to address the Umpires.  If a player or guest player notices something questionable, they are to bring it to their Manager’s attention who will address the question with the Umpire. (It’s best to resolve issues at the field.  But if something is unresolved, finish playing the game and bring the issue to Twin Creeks attention early the following day.)

5.                  GAME START TIME/LENGTH. 

a.       All GAMES are seven innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first. 

b.      If a Team is waiting for the minimum number of players to arrive, any time spent waiting (no more than 15 minutes) will be deducted from the 1 hour game time. 

c.       If a minimum of 8 players (of which 2 have to be female) have not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled game start time, the game will be forfeited.  After declaring the forfeit, teams can then play the game for fun, but will not be considered in the standings.

6.                  DUG OUTS.

a.       Home Team takes third base side dugout.  Visiting Team takes first base side dugout.  Please remember to be courteous and keep the dugout clean during your time there.

7.                  FIELD POSITION. 

a.       There will be four outfielders and there will be six infielders, including a defensive pitcher and a catcher. Players playing with less than ten players must have a minimum of three outfielders and all infield positions except for defensive pitcher (i.e, if you have less than ten players your choice is to go with three outfielders, without a defensive pitcher or without both if the team is only fielding 8 players). At all times, outfielders must play in the outfield grass until the ball is hit, and infielders must be on the infield dirt until the ball is hit.  Outfielders cannot catch flies in the infield.  If an Outfielder catches a fly while on the infield, the Runner(s) get(s) their base(s).  However, an Outfielder can make a play on a ball in the infield after the ball has made contact with the dirt (for example as back-up to an infielder).  Until the ball crosses the plate the defensive pitcher must play behind the imaginary line parallel to the pitching rubber, after which the infield pitcher is free to move in the infield. WE ASK YOU TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE POSITION OF DEFENSIVE PITCHER REQUIRES AN EXPERIENCED PLAYER.  There is no rule requiring at least 1 female in the outfield or infield, teams may have females and males in the outfield or infield or any combination suiting their needs. 

8.                  SUBSTITUTIONS. 

a.       Substitution is allowed on defense between innings or due to injury.  

9.                  BATTING ORDER.

a.       All Team members must bat.  

b.      EVERY Team is required to provide their Batting Order to the opposing Team BEFORE game start.  Batting Orders must be legible and contain the first and last name or jersey/t-shirt number of each player.

c.       The Batting Order is FIXED. Team members must bat in the Batting Order provided to the other team.  No more than 3 males may bat in a row.  No player is allowed to bat again until every other team member has batted once per the Batting Order, except that one female player may bat more than once if there are more than nine male players (to adhere to the 3:1 rule).

d.      If the opposing Team has not provided their Batting Order, do not take the field until they do. 

Any time waiting (no more than 15 minutes) will be included in the 1 hour game time.  If the Batting Order has not been provided within 15 minutes of the scheduled game start time, the game will be forfeited.  This rule will be strictly enforced.

e.       Players showing up after play has begun are to be added to the bottom of the Batting Order, adhering to the three males/one female rule.  Please provide any updates to the batting order for such players to the other team’s manager by the next inning.

f.       Managers of BOTH Teams are responsible for emailing a copy of the Batting Orders AND the Score of the game to Jeremy Yount at twincreeksmanager@gmail.com the morning following the game.  PLEASE ALSO SUBMIT A BATTING ORDER IF YOUR TEAM DID NOT PLAY DUE TO FORFEITURE, BUT YOUR TEAM WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF SUCH FORFEITURE.  Batting Orders and Scores not received by the Friday of the week in which the game was played will not be accepted.

10.              PITCHING.

a.       PITCHERS MUST STAND NO MORE THAN 3 FEET IN FRONT OF THE PITCHING RUBBER; PITCHERS MUST STAND IN A STRAIGHT LINE BETWEEN THE PITCHING RUBBER AND HOME PLATE

b.      5 balls are pitched by the offensive Team.  If the batter strikes out on the 5th pitch, the batter is out and the play is dead.  If the batter hits a foul ball on the first 4 pitches and the defensive player catches the ball, the batter is out and the play is dead.  If the batter hits a foul ball on the 5th pitch, the batter is out and the play is dead. 

c.       The play is also considered “dead” if the batted ball strikes the offensive pitcher. The pitch is not counted, and the pitch is then repeated. 

d.      Pitchers reaching out to attempt to touch poorly hit balls of their teammates in an effort to make the play dead will be immediately ejected from the game and will be banned for the rest of the season.

11.              BATTING.

a.       THERE IS NO BUNTING IN THIS LEAGUE.  All swings must be a full swing.  ASA Official Rules of Softball defines a bunt as, “A pitched ball that is intentionally tapped with the bat, slowly, within the infield.”  Please ensure all players, male and female, are taking full swings at the ball.

b.      The first ball hit over the outfield fence (in fair territory) by a player will count as a home run.  Any ball subsequently hit over the outfield fence, in that same game, by that same player, will be a ground rule double.

12.              FIRST BASE. 

a.       In an effort to create a safer environment, there will be a Double Base at First Base. If there is a play being made at first the runner must touch the outside bag.  If there is no play, the player may use the inside bag.  Any questions regarding these Rules can be referred to the Conflict / Rules Managers.

13.              BASE RUNNING.

a.       No Stealing

b.      No leading off is allowed; runners must remain on the base until the ball crosses the plate. (If the runner steps off the bag in anticipation of the ball being hit, as long as the pitch has crossed the plate, the runner will not be called out when there is no hit.  Runner must return to first base.)

c.       Runners must avoid unnecessary contact when reaching a base. If there is unnecessary contact, the runner will be called out. Sliding into Second and Third is allowed.  PALSL is returning to ASA rules regarding base running with a preference that contact be avoided where possible.  (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED EXCERPT FROM ASA RULE BOOK)

d.      Pinch Running: Pinch runners may only be used by an injured batter.  The injured batter can only use a pinch runner once per game.  The injured batter must reach First Base safely.  The pinch runner shall be the last person out of the same gender.

e.       The Commit Line: The commit line is ¾ of the way between Third Base and home.  Once you cross the commit line, you MUST GO HOME.  You may turn back to third if you have NOT crossed the commit line. Any violation results in the runner being called out.

14.              HOME PLATE.

a.       TO SCORE THE RUNNER MUST CROSS THE “HOME PLATE LINE” BUT CANNOT TOUCH HOME PLATE.  ANY RUNNER TOUCHING OR ENTERING THE BATTER’S BOX WHILE RUNNING HOME WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY OUT.  A runner approaching Home Plate is OUT if a defensive player (with possession of the ball) steps on or tags Home Plate after the runner has passed the Commit Line and before the runner passes the Home Plate line.  The Home Plate line is perpendicular to the base path between Third Base and Home Plate and extends from Home Plate to the Backstop. Once a runner passes the Commit Line, the runner must proceed toward Home. To avoid injury, a defensive player MUST NOT physically tag a runner who has passed the line midway between Third Base and Home Plate, the only way to cause such a runner to be out is to step on or tag Home Plate.

15.              RUN LIMIT

a.       There is a limit of 7 runs per inning through the bottom of the 4th inning.  The trailing team is allowed to score until the game is tied and prior to making 3 outs.  From the top of the 5th inning there will be no run limits.

16.              EQUIPMENT.

a.       Each Team is required to have all players identified on their shirts/jerseys either by number or by name.  If players or entire Teams do not have such identifying shirts/jerseys, the Managers of both Teams, prior to taking the field for play, may decide whether to play the game out, or require the Team(s) without identifying shirts/jerseys to forfeit. 

b.      In the event of a forfeit, Teams are welcome to play for fun.  If the Manager of one Team decides that the game will not go forward due to lack of identifying shirts/jerseys, the game will be considered a forfeit by the Team lacking the identifying shirts/jerseys. 

c.       It has always been the position of the league that jerseys and professional t-shirts are not necessary. As long as the player is wearing a t-shirt/shirt with their name or a number marked on it with tape, or writes with magic marker - that is fine. Just as long as there is a way to identify them on the field and in the line-up.

d.      NO METAL SPIKES/CLEATS ARE ALLOWED.

e.       No titanium, half & half (2-piece bats), double-walled bats, composite, or any bats with a barrel containing anything other than aluminum or an aluminum alloy are allowed in play.  Please also keep in mind that they also must be ASA approved.

i.        Each Team is to provide the Twin Creeks with a detailed list of each of the bats it intends to use in this league, this season. 

ii.      Teams will only be allowed to use bats listed on their Approved Bats List, not those listed on another Team’s Approved Bats List

iii.    It is the responsibility of the Managers to ensure that any bat not on the Approved Bat List for their team, not be used by their team for play in this league at any time. 

iv.    If you wish to introduce a new bat for your Team, Managers must provide Twin Creeks with an updated list. You may not use the bat until you have received authorization from Twin Creeks to do so. Twin Creeks requests updated Proposed Bats Forms be submitted a minimum of 3 days prior to your team’s next scheduled game;

USE OF A BAT NOT ON A TEAM’S APPROVED BAT LIST WILL RESULT IN THE FORFEITURE OF THE CURRENT GAME.

d.      Game balls are provided. 12” slow pitch softballs for men; 11” Slow pitch softballs for women.

e.       If a defensive player throws a glove, the offensive player is awarded a triple.  This rule applies even if the glove does not come in contact with the ball.

19.              UMPIRES.

a.       At least one Umpire will be used at each game. Arguing with an Umpire will result in ejection from game, and at the discretion of Twin Creeks, ejection from the league.  The Umpire has complete control of the game and the field at all times and their word is final.  Please be sure to thank the Umpire after each game.

20.              SCOREKEEPING.

a. There are digital score boards.  The score is tracked on the score boards and in a book.  Each team should keep track as well in order to be able to deal with any discrepancies along the way.  Umpires are NOT responsible for reporting the results to the PALSL.  It is the responsibility of both Teams to keep the score of the game and to report same to Twin Creeks.

21.              PLAYOFFS.

a.      Players must play in at least 3 regular season games to be eligible to play in the playoffs.  Player eligibility will be based on submitted batting orders and is subject to review and discretion of Twin Creeks.

b.      Players meeting the requirement on more than one Team may only play for one Team in the Playoffs.  The player must state which Team they will play for before the Playoffs begin.

c.       The top 8 Teams are eligible to play.  Rankings are based on scoring system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss.  If there are 2 or more Teams that have identical records and Playoff spots are in question, the following rules will apply to seeding:

i.        Regular season head-to-head games will be the first deciding factor.

ii.      If the situation arises and the head to head factor does not apply, seeding will be determined by the run differentials between those teams.

d.      The higher seed will be the home Team in all Playoff games

e.       The home Team will be decided by a coin toss for the League Championship game.

FOOD/ALCOHOL:

TEAMS MAY NOT BRING THEIR OWN FOOD, DRINKS OR ALCOHOL INTO THE PARK.  AS WELL, NO TAILGAITING IS ALLOWED IN THE PARKING LOT.  THERE IS A CLUBHOUSE FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOOD, DRINKS AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.  ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED IN THE STANDS, BUT NOT IN THE DUGOUTS.

REMINDERS

•       NO ARGUING PLEASE. PROFANITY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.

•       NO GLASS BOTTLES, CANS, OR CUPS ON THE FIELD (INCLUDING DUG OUTS) AT ANY TIME. PLEASE RESPECT THE GROUNDS AND PICK UP ALL TRASH AFTER EACH GAME.  PLEASE RECYCLE. 

•       BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN CHILDREN AND BE CAREFUL OF OTHERS.

MOST OF ALL, LET’S HAVE FUN