S.S.Y.M.A. Southwest Suburban Youth Minister League W. 131 st St. Orland Park, IL 60462

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1 S.S.Y.M.A. Southwest Suburban Youth Minister League W. 131 st St. Orland Park, IL Dear Youth Ministers, Great News! We have again formed the SSYMA Co-Ed High School Softball League for 2012! The league will kick off on June 4, 2012 and conclude with a tournament at Veterans Park in Orland Park on Sunday July 29, Enclosed in this packet are the SSYMA Co-Ed Softball mission statement, structure, rules, and Team Form, and permission slip and health forms. Also enclosed is the Softball Tournament sign up sheet. Each team is expected to accept responsibilities for the tournament. Tournament sign up begins at the yearly Softball Youth Ministers & Coaches meeting held on April 24, If not able to be present, there are still tasks to be handled. Please complete this from noting what you will be handling from the open list of tasks for the tournament. The 2012 SSYMA Memebership and League Fee Invoice is also enclosed for your convenience and payment must be submitted with your Team Form BY MAY 11, Fees are made payable to SSYMA and can be mailed to SSYMA, Highland Ave., Orland Park, Il If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Maryellen Harrington at We look forward to a season of faith filled sportsmanship! Sincerely, SSYMA Youth Ministers

2 Please note all deadlines! Team form and payment must be RECEIVED by May 11, SSYMA Coed Softball Checklist Below needs to be submitted to SSYMA Highland Ave. Orland Park, Il Checks made to SSYMA $ League Fee received to SSYMA by May 11, 2012 * Team Form received to SSYMA by May 11, 2012 Tournament assignment for your team by May 11, 2012 Team Permission slips to your coach by June, 2012 * Remember deadlines are final and fees are due at the time your team form is submitted and you cannot have any outstanding fees due to SSYMA from previous SSYMA event.

3 S.S.Y.M.A. CO- ED HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER SOFTBALL LEAGUE Mission Statement The summer softball league of the Southwest Suburban Youth Ministry Association is formed for the purpose of providing an opportunity that welcomes all high school teens to come together with other area high school teens for healthy competition that encourages a spirit of Christian sports ethics and builds community. Structure: The SSYMA Co-Ed High School Softball League is organized and directed by the monthly SSYMA parish youth ministry participants and is open to adult directed Catholic and Christian youth groups. Each team must have an adult youth minister, youth pastor, or coordinator who understands and will support, enforce, and foster the SSYMA Co-Ed High School Softball League mission and that of Youth Ministry and Christian sportsmanship. The adult youth minister, pastor, or coordinator may also serve as the coach or supply a separate coach for their team. As the coach and adult youth minister, pastor, or coordinator is not always one and the same, all concerns, disputes, etc., should be addressed to the participating teams adult youth minister, pastor, or coordinator rather than the coach as they youth minister, youth pastor, or coordinator has the fullest understanding of Youth Ministry and Christian sportsmanship. It is advised that all parishes do not provide transportation to any League games. The use of tobacco products, illicit drugs, or alcohol by team members before or during a game WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Both teams will gather at home plate before each game for prayer, led by their adult representative. You may use the prayer below; or use your own. Sample Prayer Lord, we offer our efforts today as our prayer to YOU. Grant us good weather and protect us from injuries. May we encourage our teammates and compliment our opponents. Grant us and our umpires patience and good judgment. Help us to do our best and accept the results with good grace AMEN...

4 S.S.Y.M.A. CO- ED HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS *Inclusive Rule: In case of a special needs player on your team the Youth Minister will provide necessary accommodations prior to the game, in writing, with Youth minister, Coach, & Official. Failure to respect accommodations can result in ejection from SSYMA League. (New Rule to SSYMA 11/9/11) 1. High school teens, incoming freshmen through out-going seniors only are eligible to play. 2. Each team must submit the enclosed Team Form with League fees by May 11, 2012 to be eligible to participate. Participating parishes and youth groups must not have any delinquent fees due to SSYMA as of May Teams should field no more than ten teens at one time, with a minimum of eight players. There should be FIVE boys and FIVE girls. If there are fewer than five boys available, the difference can be substituted with girls. More girls may be played at a team s option. The maximum number of boys is FIVE. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of both teams and this should be decided before the start of the game. WE RECOMMEND USING FREE SUBSTITUTION IN THE FIELD. 4. Both teams will use the continuous batting order with good faith effort and consideration to the spirit of the league to make it boy and girl rotations. No intentional walks permitted, offensive or defensive. If there is an unbalance in gender, no more than two of one gender may bat in a row. 5. This league will operate on slow pitch 16" softball rules. Each game will be seven innings long. EVERYONE PLAYS! The players must have the opportunity to bat and field. 6. A foul ball always equals a strike. Three strikes equals an out. No bunting. A bunt is an automatic out. 7. Refer to the attached diagrams about the strike zone. Pitching mats are permitted. 8. Start time of games will be indicated on schedule provided. Time and location changes can be made between individual teams when the set schedule creates problems, subject to the availability of fields. If no previous arrangements have been made, a team must wait 15 minutes for the other team to arrive. 9. If there is an incident of rain or darkness prior to the beginning or completion of a game, the two teams have the responsibility of rescheduling the game. A game is considered complete after 4 innings, except for a tie. The score from the last complete inning after four innings is the official score. Rescheduled games start with a new first inning. The umpires and coaches decide when a game is unplayable. 10. Slaughter rule is 15 runs after 3 ½ (home team) or 4 complete innings. FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES, SLAUGHTER RULE IS SIX COMPLETE INNINGS. 11. No metal spikes are allowed. Players in doubt about their shoes should check with the umpires before the game begins. Any batter wearing metal spikes will be called out. Closed toe shoes must be worn. 12. Any softball bat may be used. All bats must have taped handles. Balls are regulation 16" softballs. Batting gloves and baseball mitts are permitted in the field. New balls cannot be used for games. 13. The home team is responsible for supplying equipment - balls, bases, and cones. The home team for each game is designated on the schedule. Teams are encouraged to bring cones to mark field boundaries. Each team must provide their own bats. 14. The home team is required to provide one umpire who has to be at least 18 years of age for each game. It is encouraged for the visiting team to provide an umpire for the team, a parent or a coach is acceptable. Otherwise, it is still permissible to play with one umpire. In all cases, the umpire s decisions are FINAL! A team s umpire will serve one half (3 ½ innings) of the game behind home plate, and one half at first base. The two umpires may decide who will be at the plate first and may stay at their positions the whole game if they are both in agreement. 15. On a fair hit ball, if the player leaves early, the ball is immediately dead. The first infraction on a team is

5 warned. Every infraction after is an out. No lead-offs; no stealing bases. Once the ball is returned to the mound the ball is dead and runners cannot advance. 16. No rough contact by players on the base path is allowed. Judgment belongs to the umpire. Sliding is one way to avoid collision, but is not necessary. An ejection of a player may follow when there is intent to harm. It is recommended that all players wear long pants and appropriate shirts to minimize scrapes while playing. There are new Safety bases available for the first base (double width bags that have special colored safety markings.) Those are advisable for use, but not required. 17. When there are runners on first and second, or first, second, and third, with less than 2 outs and the ball is hit within the infield with an easily playable fly ball, the batter is automatically out and the runners may not advance. 18. Each team keeps their score with their own line up. Scorekeeper will keep track of the batting order, number of outs in the inning, and score of the game. Line-ups should never delay the start of the game. We suggest that at the top of each inning each teams scorekeeper check with opposing team s scorekeeper to ensure they both have the proper scores for that inning. 19. The pitcher must present the ball and have two feet on the rubber; one foot must be in contact with the rubber upon release of the ball. 20. In the case of an over throw everyone only gets ONE base. 21. All adults representing their parish team are to demonstrate a good Christian attitude and behavior. Any coach or adult representative ejected from a game will have their position reviewed by the youth minister. 22. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their teams as well as their fans. Umpires will warn coach once concerning unsportsmanlike/unchristian conduct and may subsequently call the game if the inappropriate or offensive behavior continues. 23. The coach of the team may be at least 18 years of age, however, an adult representative at least 21 years of age must be present for each team during the entire game. Otherwise, the team without the adult forfeits the game. Because of the issue of liability, not even an informal pick-up game may be played if both teams do not have an adult representative present. 24. It is mandatory that the adult representative have on hand at each time a parent/guardian permissionmedical release form for each player. Youth Ministers/ Parish representatives must be contacted if injury occurs to any player. 25. Everyone participating who is 18 years or older (coaches and umpires) must have completed Protecting God s Children Background check and VIRTUS Training. 26. Make-up games should be completed as soon as possible. 27. Respect for the playing fields and their caretakers as well as the surrounding private property and homeowners are very important. Failure to maintain this respect will mean a forfeit, or being banned from the field in question. 28. In case of a rain out the home coach must contact visiting coach 2 hours prior to game time. All games must be played at the scheduled time unless there is an emergency (weather, accident, etc.). Any other reason other than an emergency requires a 48 hour notice (retreat, mission trip, field trip, etc.). All cancellations not followed by this rule will result in a team forfeit. Updated May 2, 2011 ccc

6 Strike Zone and Field Set Up HOME PLATE: The ball is a ball if it hits the face of the home plate. It is a Strike if it hits the beveled edge or well of the home plate.

7 Minors Name: Address: City: Zip: Home Phone: Cell Phone Shirt size PARISH DOES NOT PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO ANY LEAGUE GAME: Waiver and Release of All Claims The Catholic Bishops of Chicago, the Southwest Suburban Youth Minister s Association, hosting parishes, park districts and their agents are committed to conducting programs and activities in the safest manner possible and hold the safety of participant in the highest regard. Participants and parents registering their child in these programs must recognize however, that there is an inherent risk of injury when choosing to participate in such activities. The CBC, SSYMA, hosting parishes/park districts and their agents insist participants follow safety rules and instructions which been designed to protect their safety. Please recognize that the CBC, SSYMA, and hosting parishes/park districts do not carry medical accident insurance for injuries sustained in this program. Therefore, each person registering should review their own health insurance policy for coverage. It must be noted that the absence of health insurance coverage does not make the CBC, SSYMA, hosting parishes/park districts automatically responsible for payment of medical expenses. Please read this carefully and be aware in registering your minor child/ward for participation in this program, you will be waiving and releasing all claims for injuries you or your minor child/ward might sustain arising out of this program. As the participant in the program, I recognize and acknowledge that there are certain risks of physical injury and I agree to assume the full risk of any injuries, (including death), damages or loss which, I or my minor child/ward may sustain as a result of participation in any and all activities connected with or associated with such program. I agree to waive and relinquish any claim I or my minor child/ward may have, as a result of participation in the program, against the CBC, SSYMA, hosting parishes/park districts and their agents, servants and employees. I do hereby fully release and discharge the CBC, SSYMA, hosting parishes/park districts and their agents, servants and employees from any and all claims resulting from injuries (including death), damages and losses sustained by me or my minor child/ward arising out of, connected with or in any way associated with the activities of the program. Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: The use of tobacco products, illicit drugs or alcohol by team members before or during a game WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. PLEASE SEE SIDE 2 FOR HEALTH FORM

8 HEALTH FORM Minor s Full Name: Address: City: Zip: Minor s Social Security: Name of Physician: Phone: Address: City: Emergency Contact Person: Emergency Phone: Relationship: Insurance Carrier: Policy Number: List any Medical Conditions: Date of Last Tetanus Shot: List any Medications or Allergies of Minor: MEDICAL RELEASE FORM I hereby give my permission for to receive any emergency medical exam/treatment due to any injury that my minor child/ward may incur while participating in this program/event in the Southwest Suburban 16 Coed Softball League only if in the event that the authorized physician, parent or emergency contact person cannot be contacted and if in the judgment of the responsible adult supervisor deems emergency treatment necessary. Parent/Guardian Signature: Date:

9 SSYMA Softball Team Form Due w/ payment BY May 11, 2012 Typing only permitted in GRAY boxes which will expand to accommodate text. Check yes or no where applicable Are you entering more than one team? No Yes This is Team # Parish Name: Parish Address/City/Zip Youth Minister Name Youth Minister Phone: Youth Minister YM Cell Ph# Head Coach Name: Head Coach Home Phone Head Coach Work Phone Head Coach Home Phone Head Coach Assistant Coach Name: Asst Coach Home Phone Asst Coach Work Phone Asst Coach Asst. Coach Home Phone Team Field Name: Team Field Address/City/Zip Our Field is available on the following days during the hours specified below: Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Field Directions: Our Team Cannot Play on the Following Dates:

10 SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT JULY 29, 2012 RESPONSIBILITY ASSIGNMENTS/SIGN UP Typing only permitted in GRAY boxes which will expand to accommodate text Tournament Design Tournament Reg/Tracking Hot Dogs & Hamburgers Hot Dog & Ham. Buns Relishes Chips Cheese Dessert Paper Products Utensils Charcoal/Lighter (4 bags) Cooking Metal Pans (15 needed) Mass Coordination Everyone is responsible for their own team s drinks for the day. Tournament is at Veteran s Park 7721 Wheeler Drive in Orland Park.