OFFICIAL RULE BOOK

• RULE 1       STARTING COUNT
• RULE 2       FOUL TIP
• RULE 3       KEEPING DUGOUT CLEAN
• RULE 4       GROUND RULES
• RULE 5       EJECTED PLAYERS
• RULE 6       MERCY RULE
• RULE 7       SMOKING & DRINKING
• RULE 8       PICTURES
• RULE9        FORFEITS
• RULE 10     ELIGIBILITY
• RULE  11    OFFICIAL GAMES
• RULE 12     PITCHING REGULATIONS
• RULE 13     PLAYOFFS
• RULE 14     PLAYOFF SERIES
• RULE 15     SCHEDULING 
• RULE 16      PROTESTING
• RULE 17      MAKEUP GAMES & RAINOUTS
• RULE 18      ROSTERS
• RULE 19      MANAGING
• RULE 20      LINUPS
• RULE 21      COURTESY RUNNERS
• RULE 22       EXTRA INNINGS
• RULE 23       TIE BREAKERS IN STANDINGS
• RULE 24       UNIFORMS
• RULE 25       CHOPPED BALL
• RULE 26       FORFEITTING AT BATS
• RULE 27       BASE RUNNING
• RULE 28       STARTING THE GAME
• RULE 29       DELAYING THE GAME
• RULE 30       DIVISIONS
• RULE 31       TEAMS LEFT WITH BALANCES
• RULE 32       SLIDING/BLOCKING BASES
• RULE 33       STAYING IN DUGOUTS & OFF SIDELINES
• RULE 34       METAL CLETES/SPIKES
• RULE 35       LINUP CARDS
• RULE 36       BUNTING AND STEALING
• RULE 37       RESTRICTION OF PLAY
• RULE 38       COMISSIONERS POWERS
• RULE 39       BATTING OUT OF ORDER

We are an ASA League that follows ASA rules. If the rule is not in this book, we refer to the ASA rule

RULE 1      Batters start with a 1-1 count which gives the batter 2 swings. If the batter hits a foul ball 3rd strike the batter is out. Runners can't advance it is a dead ball "Strikeout"

RULE 2      On a foul tip (whatever the count is doesn't matter) as long as the ball does not go straight back to the catcher, and the catcher catches the ball it is an out. The ball does not have to go over the catchers head, umpires head, back stop etc.

RULE 3       All teams as responsible for keeping their dugout clean. There is no reason why teams need to throw bottles, bags, etc all over the floor and can't throw it in the garbage pail which is in their dugouts. If a team goes into a dugout that is already a mess please go to a league official or umpire and let them know. It is the managers responsibility to make sure the dugout is clean. If a dugout is not kept clean the manager is subject to a $50.00 fine first offense $100.00 fine second offence and a $250.00 fine for their third offence. There is no reason for this.

RULE 4       Lindsey Park has its own set of rules. From the left field pole to the first marking, all balls over the fence will be an automatic out. Runners cannot advance and it will be marked an "F7" in the scorebook. From the second marking to third marking will be a double (2 bases) all runners may advance 2 bases as well. From the third marking to the right field pole will be a homerun. If the ball hits a tree in the outfield, the ball will be automatically dead and the hitter will be awarded whatever section it is in (ball hits a tree between foul pole and first marking will be an automatic out, first marking to second marking a double, third marking anywhere else homerun). There will be no leading from any base. Runners caught leading will be called out. The pitch no matter what the outcome is will be a dead ball (doesn't matter if it's a homerun, ground ball, foul ball or strikeout). Runners cannot tag from any base except 3rd base. Any runner tagging up the fielding team just has to throw the ball back to the original base that the runner was on and the runner will be called out. St Michaels (30th avenue) there is no rules on fencing anything over the fence is a homerun however the no leading rule and only tagging from 3rd base rule is still the same. St Johns dirt field from left foul pole to the 2nd light pole will be a double. From 2nd pole to the right field pole will be a homerun. Remember a ball hit over the fence must stay out of the park to count except center field once the ball is over the fence it is a homerun it doesn't matter if the ball comes back into the field or not. Runners may take leads and tag up from all bases as long as it is NOT the weeknight league. St Johns turf field, Highland Park & Smokey Park have the same rules. All balls over the fence are homeruns. Runners may tag and lead unless it is a weeknight game. In all leagues with no tagging or leading, on an overthrown ball on a tag up play, all runners may advance on their own. In all leagues EXCEPT weeknights, players may lead once the ball is released from the pitchers hand. Leading before the release the runners will be subject to being called out.

RULE 5       If a player is ejected out of the game they are subject to a $50.00 fine & a 2 game suspension. If a player throws equipment including balls, bats, bases etc the player is now subject to a $100.00 and a 4 game suspension. If an umpire/official asks you to leave the park you must do so. If you do not leave the park when the official asks your team will forfeit the game. If a team falls below 8 players the game will automatically be over and the opposing team will get the win. If a player makes contact with an umpire or league official or spits at them or swings at them, they will immediately be banned from the league and all ASA leagues and tournaments. If players strike other players they will be fined & suspended and subject to being banned as well. If a player has been ejected from the game it is at the umpires discretion to tell the player they can sit on the bench. If an umpire wants a player to leave the park they must do so. Failure to listen to the umpire will cause harsher fines, longer suspension and or game being called.

RULE 6        The mercy rule in our league is 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings and 10 runs after 5 innings. In the playoffs and championship there is NO mercy rule.

RULE 7        It is illegal in NYC Parks to be smoking & drinking. Any and all players caught smoking or drinking in the dugouts will be subject to a $25.00 first offence, $50.00 second offence, $100.00 third offence & 2 game suspension & 1 year suspension for the fourth offence.  We can lose our permits if players are found drinking and smoking on parks department fields. We are not doing this to be difficult. We are simply trying to follow the rules set forward by the parks department.

RULE 8      All players must have their pictures taken. This will eliminate problems later on down the road when playoff time comes around. If a player does not have their pictures taken, they cannot play in the playoffs.

RULE 9      Whatever the scheduled game time is, the first game forfeit is 15 minutes past that time. EX If a team is scheduled for an 8:00pm start, first game forfeit will be 8:15pm. Once game 1 is forfeited, game 2 will be 30 minutes past game 1 forfeit. EX If game 1 is scheduled for an 8:00pm and was forfeited at 8:15pm, game 2 will be forfeited at 8:45pm.  A team cannot play with less than 8 players. If a team has less than 8 players they will forfeit the game. The forfeiting team is responsible for paying the umpires for the game. EX if umpire fees are $50.00 per team for a double header and a team forfeits 1 game plays the second game, the team that forfeited will have to pay $75.00 and the other team $25.00 If a team forfeits 2 times during the season the will be kicked out of the league. The final 2 weeks of the season if a team forfeits not only will they be responsible for both sides umpire fees, they will have a $200.00 fine on top of the fees. We are trying to stop teams from forfeiting to rig the seating in the playoffs. If a team has to legitimately forfeit the last 2 weeks they must have at minimum 6 players report to the field.

RULE 10      Players must be present a certain amount of games through the season to be eligible for playoffs. The amount of games is usually half the season however it is announced before the season every year how many games players must make. It is not required for a player to play in a game to be given credit. Their presence is all that is needed. If a team forfeits a game, no one on that team will receive credit for that week. If an opposing team forfeits, the for the non forfeiting team every player on the roster will receive that weeks credit.

RULE 11      Once a game has completed 4 innings, the game is now official. If the lights turn off once the game is an official game, the game is over and the winning team will receive the wins. During the playoffs, games will be continued from the points that the lights turned off. It doesn't matter if the game is official or not, all playoff games must be completed. If a team is caught trying to waste time so the lights can good off so they can use it to their advantage, the will automatically receive the loss. The only person that decided if they are wasting time is the official of that game.

RULE 12       Our lob league is 3-6 pitching. Pitchers must start with both feet on the rubber and their first step must be forward. If a pitchers first step is back that is an illegal motion. Remember just because a pitcher has a fast motion does not mean that the pitch is fast. If a pitcher throws an illegal/fast pitch and the batter hits the ball it will be the batters decision to take the outcome of the play or be awarded a ball and another swing. If players are on base during an illegal pitch they will be awarded another base and the batter will receive an automatic ball. A pitcher is allowed 2 illegal pitchers per game. Once a 3rd illegal pitch is thrown they must come off the mound (they can play another position) They are only out for that one game they can come back to pitch the next game there is no other penalty or suspension for this.

RULE 13         In the playoffs the higher seed has the choice of day, field and if applicable time. Once the semi finals hit, the league will then be deciding the date, time and field. We do this so that no team can get screwed on bad days or times. Playoffs are done in bracket form not your traditional form where the highest seed plays the lowest seed. We do this so that the last place team doesn't have to constantly play the highest seed.

RULE 14          Playoff series are always 2 out of 3. Championship will be best out of 5. We do that because if a team comes out flat or has a bad day they still have a chance to rebound back and take the championship. Playoffs will be 2 umpires and the championship series will be 3 umpires. In the playoffs if a series goes to game 3, game 3 will always be on a different day. Championship will be spread among 3 days. Game 1 & 2 on day 1 game 3 & 4 on day 2 and game 5 if needed on day 3

RULE 15           If a team needs certain days, times, week off, fields etc, this all must be told to the commissioners at the meeting. If the commissioners are not told about scheduling then there is nothing more we can do about it. Once the schedule is made the schedule is made. We are not going back in and altering the schedule at all. We understand that emergencies happen and the league will do the best they can to assist. We are a very accommodating league and will try to help any and every team to the best of our abilities, but please do not mistake out kindness for weakness.

RULE 16            When protesting a game it must be done in a certain way. When protesting a game you must have an umpire sign your book at the point of infraction. Once the game is over you cannot go back and protest. If you have an illegal player in the game and a team protests, you lost the game that the illegal player is in. If they protest a double header and that illegal player is in both games you will receive 2 losses. During playoffs & championship, protest will be handled on the field at the time of protest. A league official should be present at each and every game during the playoffs. If there is no league official present the umpire will contact a league official and get everything straightened out on the spot. We are not continuing a playoff game for no reason if a game is protested.  In order to properly protest a game, $100.00 must be given to a league official or umpire at the time your protesting otherwise no protest will be heard. In the past the league has handled protests without money in hand but we will no longer be doing that. No money no protest.

RULE 17           If a game is rained out, the league will do their best to reschedule the game especially if the entire week is rained out. Once we have reached halfway through the season it will become extremely difficult to make up rain outs. In that case we will give the teams a split or 2 ties whichever way is easier and we make sure that it doesn't effect the standings in any way.

RULE 18            Before the season begins, all team must provide a preliminary roster. This roster can be modified until the close of the 4th week. Once the 4th week closes, all teams rosters are locked and no one can be added or dropped no matter what that includes injury's. Up to the close of rosters, you may add and drop as many times as you want there's no limit. Rosters are 20 players plus the manager which totals 21 players. The manager is allowed to play as well. Remember bringing down an illegal player, you are subject to forfeiting the game and being handed an automatic loss. Players are not allowed to play on more than 1 team unless it is the A division and B division on weeknights.

RULE 19            Managers must keep a book. If a manager chooses not to keep a book for his team or the other team and there is a protest, you will not win the protest. Without a book you have no concrete proof. In the case that the umpire does not have the correct score and 1 team has a book and the other team does not, the team with the book is automatically correct no matter how farfetched his score is. At the close of ever inning, managers should check the score with the umpires. Managers are responsible to bring 2 F12 clincher balls to each game (3 if playoffs) Failure to bring new softballs to the game will be grounds for forfeit of the first game. Teams may purchase softballs in the 30 minutes between game 1 and 2 however failure to do so will cause a second game forfeit as well. Managers are also in charge of their dugouts & their spectators. If they have fans whether it be wives, kids, friends etc, they are responsible for them and their actions. Although the league cannot fine or suspend spectators we can fine and suspend managers. So please be smart with who you allow in your dugout or your sideline. Also it is the managers responsibility to keep all players/fans in their dugouts. Please be in control of your players there is no reason for fighting or arguing with each other or the other team. Teach respect for the game, opponents, officials, spectators and the team that you represent. If there is an issue with people on your bench that you want removed, please contact league officials immediately or and an umpire so we can have everything straightened out.

RULE 20              When a lineup is being set, a lineup cannot consist of more than 11 batters. If a lineup has more than 11 batters the lineup is illegal and if the game is protest will instantly be a loss. You are allowed to bat 10 players with everyone in the field, you can bat 10 with a designated hitter (dh) for any 1 player in the field, you can bat 11 with 1 extra hitter(eh) in the lineup or you can bat 11 with 1 extra hitter and 1 designated hitter in the lineup.  Remember the designated hitter can only come into the game for the person that they are hitting for.

RULE 21          Teams are permitted 2 courtesy runners per game. If discussed before the game and agreed on by both teams, teams may have 3 courtesy runners. The courtesy runner is the last out whether it is batted out, forced out etc. If a wrong courtesy runner is put in the game, a team must throw a pitch. It doesn't matter if the pitch is a strike, ball, hit, homerun the team will then say the wrong runner is on base and he will be called out. If a second pitch is thrown you can no longer argue the courtesy runner. Once the second pitch is thrown everything will stay as is for the remainder of that inning.

RULE 22         In extra innings during the regular season, we use international rules. International rules means the last recorded out on 2nd base. In the playoffs & championship we play straight up until we have a winner.

RULE 23         If 2 teams have the same record the first tie breaker is head to head matchups. If that is tied, the first tiebreaker is runs scored followed by runs allowed. If by some miracle that all those stats are tied there will be a 1 game playoff to determine the winner.

RULE 24         All members of a team must have an identical matching jersey. Teams have until the close of week 4 to get matching jerseys. Once week 5 begins and a player does not have a matching jersey, once they bat they will start with a 0-2 count. In the playoffs a player without a matching jersey cannot play in the game. This is not up to managers or umpires to allow. It is a league rule and it will not be overturned by any manager or umpire. Switching jerseys are illegal. If a team is found switching jerseys, the entire team for the remainder of the series will start with an 0-2 count. Not only that game but the entire series. EX if you're in game 1 when this is caught, the entire team will start with an 0-2 count for the remainder of game 1 and game 2. If a team is caught switching jerseys in the playoffs, the game they are caught in will be deemed over and the opposing team will get a win. Then game 2 will start as planned. No 0-2 count will be enforced in the following game. Teams may switch jerseys before the games start but as soon as the first pitch is thrown whoever has their jerseys on at that time must keep them on. There will be no switching at that point forward. Teams must keep their jerseys on at all times during the game. It doesn't matter if they are in the field or batting their jerseys must be on at all times when they are on the field. If a player takes the field without a jersey, they will have a 0-2 count for the rest of the game. In playoffs if a player doesn't have a jersey on and takes the field, there is no punishment other then he must go back and put it on. Teams not having enough players due to dress code violation is subject to forfeiting the game.

RULE 25          Chopping a ball is illegal. If an umpire calls a chopped ball the batter is automatically out and the runners cannot advance.

RULE 26          Teams are allowed to forfeit at bats. You may forfeit no more than 2 innings in a game. You can forfeit your at bats at any time during a game it doesn't matter if it's the first inning or last inning.

RULE 27            In the weeknight league you cannot lead from any base. You may only tag up from 3rd base. If a player is caught leading from a base they will be called out. If a player tags up the fielding team must just simply throw the ball to the original base and they will be called out. If a team does not do this and time is called, the player will be sent back to the base with no infraction. You cannot block any base without the ball. If a player blocks a base without the ball and the player cannot get to the base, the runner will be called safe even if he was out. This is to avoid injury for both parties involved. If a player is walked they do NOT need to touch first base they may put the courtesy runner on base. This helps speed up the game.

RULE 28         Once its game time and a team has less than 8 players, they cannot start the game. Once their 8th player arrives they must start the game. It doesn't matter if they are home or away first. Teams cannot wait for their 9th and 10th players to arrive. You may added your 9th & 10th batters at any time before the 5th inning. Once the 5th inning begins your lineup is locked for the remainder of the game. You may sub in and out but you cannot add your 9th and 10th players. Before the 5th inning it doesn't matter if you batted around your lineup, you still may add the remaining 2 players.

RULE 29       It is illegal to delay a game weather it is throwing the ball around, taking too long to take the field, wasting time before getting in the box, wasting time till the lights shut off etc. Teams found wasting time will penalized. If they are in the field the umpire will begin calling balls, if they are up at plate the umpire will begin calling strikes. If this continues umpires will start putting runners on base & calling people out.

RULE 30      Teams will be put in the division that the league believes they belong in. If a team goes into the lower division and begins to dominate the league will move the team to the division above.

RULE 31      If a team is thrown out, disbands, disperses with a balance still being owed, all players on that team will be put on the banned list with a fee that they will have to pay before being allowed to play. Remember this is an ASA league and if you are banned from this league you cannot play in any ASA sanctioned leagues or tournaments.

RULE 32      When a runner is running to a base and the ball is being thrown to that base the runner must either slide or "give themselves up". Failure to slide or "give themselves up" will cause the umpire to immediately call the runner out. Interfering in the play by throwing your hands up or trying to block the fielder will be grounds for being called out as well. Blocking a base or plate is illegal without the ball in hand. If a fielder is blocking the base without the ball the runner will be called safe. There is no running into the catcher or trying to "take out" a fielder at any time. This is not the pros and we will not stand for that. Intentionally trying to take out a fielder or running over the catcher is grounds for immediate ejection from the game, suspension & fines. There is such a things as incidental contact which will be the umpires discretion. However do not think you can run a fielder over and the umpire will call it incidental contact. 

RULE 33            Players must stay in their dugouts when not on the field. Teams are allowed 1 first base coach and 1 third base coach not 5. It is the managers responsibility to keep his players controlled and in the dugout. Teams are allowed 1 on deck batter. The only players allowed out of the dugout are the manager, the on deck batter and the first & third base coaches. There is no reason at anytime why a player or manager should be standing behind the umpire. Failure to follow this rule will result in stoppage of the game and time delay. Please refer to rule 29 to clarify what the punishment is for time delay. It is also the managers responsibility to control all fans/spectators. Remember we may not be able to fine or suspend fans but we can fine and suspend managers. Please choose wisely who is on your benches and sidelines. 

RULE 34          Players may not wear metal spikes on any field at anytime. If a player is caught wearing metal cleats they will immediately be ejected from the game, 4 game suspension and $100.00 fine. On dirt fields you may wear rubber cleats. On turf fields the parks department has banned using cleats. Players may wear sneakers or turf shoes. If a player is found using cleats on a turf field, the umpire may automatically call the batter out as soon as he steps in the box. If the umpire does not realize this, the opposing team can tell the umpire that he has cleats on when he steps into the box. At that point the umpire will call the player out. A pitch does not have to be thrown for this rule to be implemented. If a player gets a hit or walk on the first pitch and it is not called, as soon as time out is called the team can tell the umpire that cleats are being worn and the play will be called out. Once a player is on base, and 1 pitch is thrown to the following batter, you can no longer call this out. However the next at bat you can. If a player get a hit or homerun or whatever else and gets on base and is called out for cleats, whatever runners advanced, scored or were out is nullified and everything goes back to the way it was before the hit and an out will be added.

RULE 35         All teams are required to hand in lineup cards. The league will provided lineup cards to every team before the game. Failure to hand in your lineup cards will result in your entire team not receiving credit for the game. It doesn't matter if we knew certain guys were there, it doesn't matter if the umpire or other team is saying that certain players were there. If your lineup card isn't handed in no one gets credit it's as simple as that.

RULE 36        There is no bunting. Players must take a swing at the ball. If a player bunts they will be automatically be called out and runners cannot advance. There is no stealing as well if a player attempts to steal a base, the team just has to throw the ball to the base he originally occupies, step on the base and he will be called out.

RULE 37        All players must be 18 years of age or older. All managers and players must sign the league document which will be brought around to all games stating that they are who they are and are playing at their own will.

RULE 38         The league commissioners have the power to veto or overrule a league rule. The commissioner also has the power to overrule umpires calls upon league rule appeals. All schedules are subject to change by the commissioners. The commissions are allowed to play, manage or umpire. The commissioners can assign anyone to umpire if needed. Commissioners also have the power to suspend or eject any player or team if he feels it needs to be done.

RULE 39          If a team is batting out of order it is the job of the opposing team to call it out. It is not the umpire or league officials job to call it out. If a team bats out of order and switches player, once the last batter bats and finishes his at bat the play can no longer be changed. EX if player 1 bats first and player 2 bats second and they switch and player 2 gets up first and gets a hit or an out it doesn't matter and player 1 gets up in gets a hit or strikes out once he is out or on base, the batting out of order can no long be brought up because the infraction has ended. All teams can do at that point is wait until the next time this happens.

 

 

 

Brooklyn's Best Softball League reserves the right to change any and all rules and regulations which includes and not limiting to prize allocated for the season whenever needed or warrants a change. Once a change is made, all managers in their respected divisions will be notified immediately. The rules and regulations stated in the rule book govern all the divisions and leagues ran in Brooklyn's Best Softball league.

Sportsmanship and fair play will be the hallmark of our beloved league and it should be the guidelines in which deal with all situations before it gets out of hand. All rules made and distributed in this book come from the Chief Operating Officers and it's not limited to advice given to us by the players or managers including research done in order to improve out situation to the fullest. All teams entering the league agree to follow all rules and regulations that are posted in this book as this is a verbal communication in which these rules are always on display for all to see and when rules and regulations are broken, the league reserves the right to enforce all types of punishments allocated in this book within reason and not limited to either suspension of games or possible removal from your teams games for the duration of the season and posted played. The manager of the team is the sole person responsible the league will look upon when it comes to paying the league fee, fines or anything else concerning the team.