2015 8U, 10U & 12U GIRLS SOFTBALL YORK, CLOVER AND TEGA CAY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS LEAGUE BY-LAWS

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1 2015 8U, 10U & 12U GIRLS SOFTBALL YORK, CLOVER AND TEGA CAY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS LEAGUE BY-LAWS 1 LEAGUE AFFILIATION York Parks and Recreation Department, along with Clover and Tega Cay Parks and Recreation youth softball is an unsanctioned league that abides by NFHS softball rules. *THERE WILL BE NO GENTLEMEN S AGREEMENT AMONG COACHES TO ALTER ANY RULES, UMPIRES WILL ENFORCE THE RULES AS STATED BELOW. DRAFT GUIDELINES York Parks and Recreation Department will determine the process in which teams will be formed. All new players will enter the draft. It is essential that a team representative be present to select players for a team. The order of the player draft shall be determined by the reverse order of finish of the registered teams from the previous year. Newly formed teams will choose first. Newly formed is defined as the addition or increase of a team from the previous year. New players in each age group will attend a skills review scheduled by York Parks and Recreation Department in which coaches will get a brief overview of each player s skill level. The names of players that do not attend the skills review will be placed in a hat and coaches may only select these players by drawing them randomly out of the hat at anytime during the draft process. The following options are available for player assignments, if staff is notified at the time of registration. Once the registration ends, the options listed below becomes invalid. Sisters. The following applies proved sisters are within the same age group. If a parent of a sister desires to have that player on a team with another sister already playing on that team, that sister will be added to the roster prior to the draft and will not be considered a draft pick. Should both sisters be new players, the coach which selects one sister must select the other sibling in the next round. Coach/Child. A head coach who has a daughter that will be playing on his or her team must select his or her child in the fourth round of the draft. New assistant coaches will not be selected until after the draft. Team preferences will not be granted. Request for a specific team and players placed on the same team will not be accepted. The only guarantee of placement on the same team is sisters and coaches children, provided that staff is made aware of this at registration. Players will be retained on the same team from the previous year provided they are still of the appropriate age group and only if they have completed the entire previous season with their original team. Other players who have left the program for any reason during the season will be returned to the draft for placement. Coaches are to notify York Parks and Recreation Department when a player leaves a team.

2 2 Player releases will be granted only in exceptional circumstances and will be decided by York Parks and Recreation Department. If a parent does not want their child to return to the same team as the previous year, the parents must give a written explanation for the request to York Parks and Recreation Department which will be shared with coach of the previous year s team. The player will enter the appropriate draft and her name will be placed in the hat and will be randomly drawn by the coaches during the draft process. The participant is eligible to return to the same team as the previous year unless it has been determined by York Parks and Recreation Department and coaches that there is a serious issue and that returning to the previous year s team should be avoided. No one may become the head coach of a team whose head coach or assistant coaches from the previous season returns to the same team, even if last year s head coach wishes to become an assistant coach. All coaches form the previous season shall remain as the head coach and/or assistant coaches for drafting purposes and all new coaches must be selected as an assistant coach after the draft. Individuals who fail to register by the prescribed registration deadline as set forth by the York Parks and Recreation Department will be placed on a waiting list on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is the coach s responsibility to notify York Parks and Recreation Department if a player that is already registered quits or leaves the team and/or the coach chooses to add a player from the waiting list. The first person on the waiting list will be contacted and given the opportunity to register within fortyeight (48) hours or the opportunity continues to the next name on the list. No preference will be given to returning players that are on the waiting list. They will remain on the waiting list in order and will not automatically be placed on their team from last year. A player may not begin participating until the registration process is complete. AGE GROUPS Our program is divided into (6) different age divisions: 6 & Under (ages 5-6), 8 & Under (ages 6-8), 10 & Under (ages 8-10), 12 & Under (ages 10-12), 16 & under (ages 12-16), and 18 & under (ages 16-18). 16U and 18U age groups are subject to change based upon registration. A participant's age as of December 31, 2014 determines the age division that the individual is allowed to play. All players must play in their own age group. New for 2015, a participant must have turned 5 by May 1 st 2015 to be eligible for 6U. League Age 6 year olds have the option to play 6U or 8U. League age 8 year olds have the option to play 8U or 10U. League age 10 year olds have the option to play 10U or 12U. League age 12 year olds have the option to play 12U or 16U. This must be determined at registration. No other exceptions will be made. Once a player has been placed on a team, no changes will be made. A player may only play in one league and will not be allowed to play in another age group at any time during the regular season, post season and all stars. 16U registration deadline is March 17. COACHES All coaches, including assistant coaches, must complete a volunteer application, undergo a background check, and sign a coach s code of ethics. All coaches, including assistant coaches, must be approved by York Parks and Recreation Department. A maximum of four (4) coache s are allowed during regular season. GAME LOCATIONS York Recreation Complex, 74 Fourth St. York, SC Clover Recreation Complex, 256 Community Park Dr. Clover, SC Roosevelt Park, 312 Mobley St. Clover, SC Runde Park, 5110 Windward Dr. Tega Cay, SC 29715

3 3 SCHEDULE Every effort will be made to schedule games around conflicting dates, provided that coaches notify staff prior to scheduling preparations. Once the schedule is made, there will be no changes. If you have a conflict and cannot play, you will receive a forfeit. **SCHOOL CONFLICTS** Coaches and parents are asked to find out any school events such as concerts, field trips, etc. that will conflict with the game schedule and let York Parks and Recreation Department know no later than Monday, March 2, 2015, 12:00 p.m. Every effort will be made to schedule games around conflicting dates provided that staff is notified prior to scheduling preparations. Once the schedule is made, no changes will be allowed, regardless of the conflict. PRACTICE POLICY York Parks and Recreation Department will make our facilities as readily available for practice as possible. Practices will be limited due to the number of fields available and the number of teams in our leagues. To reserve a field, coaches may call or come by the York Recreation Complex ( ) on Fourth Street on Wednesdays from 10:00 am 12:00 noon to reserve a field for Saturday Friday. Coaches may sign up for a maximum of 2 practices per week on Wednesdays. Once coaches have had an opportunity to schedule practices on Wednesdays from 10:00 am 12:00 noon, they may call the Recreation Complex after that time to schedule additional practices if there are any practice times available. York Parks and Recreation Department may cancel practices to reschedule make-up games. Should teams schedule additional practice sessions elsewhere, these sessions must be reported to York Parks and Recreation Department. It is the responsibility of the coach to obtain permission at a practice site not belonging to the City of York. The intent is to make practice time equitable to ensure that no single team enjoys an advantage. Important Note: York Parks and Recreation Department is not responsible for teams or members of teams that choose to participate in games, practices, scrimmages, tournaments, leagues, etc. that are not sponsored or approved by York Parks and Recreation Department. CANCELLATIONS AND MAKE-UPS York Parks and Recreation Department will make every effort to play all games if reasonably possible. For games that are scheduled in York coaches and parents may call the rainout line at after 4:00 p.m. Any York teams that need any information about game being played at other locations may call the York Recreation Center at Fore games scheduled in clover coaches and parents may call If no decision has been made, you should report to the field and the umpire will make the decision. The head coach of each team will be called in the event of a cancelled game. Coaches should contact their players concerning rain out games. Every effort will be made to reschedule all cancelled games, if time permits. All make up games will be rescheduled on the first available day, including Wednesdays and days that teams do not normally play. In the event of a large number of cancellations, games may be rescheduled at the end of the season. York Parks and Recreation reserves the right to cancel games rescheduled at the end of the season that do not affect league standings.

4 4 LINE UP SHEETS All teams are required to turn in all three (3) copies of their line-up sheet to the plate umpire prior to the start of the game. The line up should include the player's full name and jersey number. Once the game begins, you must inform the plate umpire and scorer in the tower of any changes you make in your line up. Failure to submit a line up will result in a forfeit. The scorer for that field will pick up your line up sheets. TIME LIMITS The first game scheduled for all age groups will observe a ten-minute grace period. 8U age group will observe a 1hour and 5 minute time limit and will not start a new inning with 5 minutes or less left on the game clock. 10U age group will observe a 1 hour and 15 minute time limit and will not start a new inning with 5 minutes or less left on the game clock. 12U age group will observe a 1 hour and 15 minute time limit. There will be not international tie breaker, regular season games may end in a tie. This applies to 8U, 10U and 12U. Post season tournament exception: If the game is tied when the time limit expires, the international tie breaker rule shall apply. The time limit will begin with the first pitch of the regulation game. Starting with the top of the extra inning, and each half thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who made the last out being placed on second base with no outs. GAME BALLS The home team shall furnish one (1) new ball and the visiting team shall furnish one (1) playable ball for all regular season games. DUGOUT The home team shall have choice of dugouts. OFFICIAL SCORE BOOK The home team shall be responsible for keeping the official scorebook. If a game in question refers to the official score book for an answer and the scorebook is incomplete, the home team will be required to forfeit the game. HUSTLE RULE Coaches are to instruct their players to hustle on and off the field at all times. Umpires will enforce this rule by calling balls if the defense is not ready and by callings strikes if the offense is not ready. DROPPED THIRD STRIKE 12U: When the catcher fails to catch and maintain the third strike the batter will have an opportunity to advance to first base If there are less that 2(two) outs and 1 st base is not occupied. Anytime there are 2(two) outs 8U & 10U no dropped third strike rule. BASE STEALING 10U & 12U Runners are entitled to advance with liability to be put out when the ball leaves the pitcher s hand on delivery. This includes all bases, including home.

5 8U There will be no base stealing. 5 OVER THROWN BALL 8U Only: If a defensive player misses an over thrown ball when thrown to a base, the runner may advance, at will, one base only. This ends the play. If the batter hits the ball in the outfield, she may advance as many bases as possible. RUN RULE 8U, 10U & 12U it will be considered a regulation game if the follow occurs: If a team is winning by Fifteen (15) runs after both teams have completed three (3) innings, or 2 ½ if the home team is winning. If a team is winning by twelve (12) runs after both teams have completed four (4) innings or 3 ½ if the home team is winning. If a team is winning by ten (10) runs after both teams have completed five (5) innings or 4 ½ if the home team is winning If a team is winning by eight (8) runs after both teams have completed six (6) innings, or 5 ½ if the home team is winning. 8 BATTER RULE Teams will use the 8 Batter Rule (once the eighth batter of the half inning reaches their turn at bat there are automatically two outs). The inning will continue as normal until either the eighth batter scores or another out is made. The inning ends as soon as the eighth batter crosses home plate (any run scored after the eighth batter will not count) MINIMUM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT To insure that every child gets a fair amount of playing time, at the start of the game, all available players on each team roster will be listed in the starting offensive batting lineup and bat in this order for the entire game (teams will use a continuous batting order). 10U & 12U Each child must play three (3) consecutive defensive outs. 8U Each child must play six (6) consecutive defensive outs. If a child will be coming to the game late, she should be the last batter on the batting line-up. If she does not show up by her time to bat then she will be considered out. Free defensive substitution is allowed at anytime during the game. This means that any player can report to any position regardless of where she is in the batting order, even if she is currently not in the batting order. REQUIRED NUMBER OF PLAYERS 10U & 12U Each team will play ten (10) defensive positions. If one team only has nine (9) players, then both teams will only play nine (9). If one team only has eight (8) players, then their ninth (9 th ) batter will be an out, and the other team will still play nine (9).

6 6 8U Each team will play ten (10) defensive positions ; catcher is optional, pitcher, 4 infielders, and 4 outfielders, if a catcher is not used she may play infield or outfield. If one team only has nine (9) players, then they shall play with nine (9) and the opposing team shall have the option to play nine (9) or ten (10). If one team only has eight (8) players, then their ninth (9 th ) batter will be an out and the opposing team shall have the option to play nine (9) or ten (10). A defensive coach is required to stand behind their catcher (and umpire) to shag any ball the catcher misses. The coach may throw the ball to the pitcher; the catcher is not required to throw back any missed balls. Another defensive coach is allowed in the outfield but must stay in the outfield. In a live ball situation all players are required to throw the ball to the player (not adult/coach) at the pitcher position in the circle for time to be called. PITCHING REGULATION 10U division will pitch from a distance of 35ft with an 8ft. radius circle. 12U divisions will pitch from a distance of 40ft with an 8ft. radius circle. None of the divisions will have a limit on the amount of innings that they are allowed to pitch. However, it is encouraged that coaches use more than one pitcher during games. 8U division will pitch from a distance of 35ft. and an 8ft. radius circle will be drawn around the pitching rubber. An offensive coach will pitch to her/his own team and he or she must pitch in an under-handed softball motion from within the circle. **The Batter: Each batter will receive 5 pitches. If the 5 th pitch is fouled, a 6 th and final pitch will be thrown. If the 6th pitch is fouled the batter is out. **The Pitcher: The player fielding the pitching position must have at least one foot inside the circle. A batted ball which hits the coach that is pitching is considered a dead ball/no pitch. EQUIPMENT Players are required to wear a face shield and a chin strap on their batting helmet. 8U The catcher may wear full gear but only required to wear a chest protector and a face mask. A batting helmet may be used in the event a catcher s helmet does not fit the child properly. COACH EJECTION In the event that a coach is ejected from a game, by the umpire, that coach will observe a minimum one game suspension, no matter the location or time frame of the next game. Each facility has the right to review the circumstances and determine any other suspension if necessary. PROTEST PROCEDURES 1. Call time-out to halt play. 2. Notification of intent to protest can be made only by the team coach. 3. Announce to the plate umpire and the opposing coach that the game is being played under protest. 4. The plate umpire must sign your scorebook. 5. Turn in your scorebook, written protest, and the $50 protest fee to York Parks and Recreation Department within 24 hours of the game. If the game was played over the weekend, you have until 5:00pm the following Monday. The $50 protest fee will be refunded if the protest is ruled in your favor.

7 TIES In the event two or more teams are tied at the conclusion of regular season play, the following steps will be taken to break the tie: 1. Head-to-Head competition; that is, the record between the two or more teams will be considered. 2. Point spread between the two teams; an examination of the final scores between the two teams will be considered. 3. A review of common opponents and each team's record against such teams will be considered. 4. Coin Toss. 7 CONDUCT GUIDELINES SECTION 1. ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY York Parks and Recreation Department has adopted a Zero Tolerance Policy for all coaches, players, spectators, and other persons. Profanity, fighting, heckling, disrespect, complaining, threats, alcohol or tobacco products will not be tolerated. Result: Violators will be subject to suspension from all York Parks and Recreation Department sponsored activities and facilities. York Parks and Recreation Department programs and facilities are designed to offer leisure activities for families, groups, and individuals of all ages with diversified interests. Sporting events are provided by the department as opportunities for friendly competition while promoting a spirit of sportsmanship among participants and a pleasant environment for spectators. Participants, coaches, managers, team representatives, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner, before, during, and after an event, or within 500 feet of City of York property and playing areas. Coaches, and parents/participants must sign a Code of Ethics. SECTION 2. OFFENSES AND PENALTIES A. Designated team representatives and coaches are responsible for the conduct of themselves, team members, and other appropriate representatives at all times. B. Conduct. Conduct which may be interpreted by a staff person or game official as threatening to the administration or control of the contest, including constant complaining, heckling, and bickering will result in immediate ejection from the contest and playing facilities for an amount of time deemed necessary by York Parks and Recreation Department. Parents of youth league participants must watch the parent video before being allowed to return to the playing facility. C. Abusive Language. No person involved in any York Parks and Recreation Department activity or facility will be allowed to use profane, vulgar, excessively loud, or abusive language. Failure to comply will result in immediate ejection from the contest and playing facility for an amount of time deemed necessary by the York Parks and Recreation Department. Parents of youth league participants must watch the parent video before being allowed to return to the playing facility.

8 8 D. Alcoholic Beverages. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on City of York property or at York Parks and Recreation Department sponsored activities and events, including dugouts, parking lots, restrooms etc. No person having the discernible odor of alcohol about his or her person will be allowed on City of York property or at York Parks and Recreation Department sponsored activities and events. Failure to comply will result in immediate ejection from the contest and removal from the premises for an amount of time deemed necessary by York Parks and Recreation Department. Anyone associated with a youth or adult team that is found with alcoholic beverages in the parking lot, dugouts, restrooms, etc. is in violation of the law and will result in the entire team being removed from the premises for an amount of time deemed necessary by York Parks and Recreation Department. Parents of youth league participants must watch the parent video before being allowed to return to the playing facility. E. Tobacco Products. No person will be allowed to use cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or any other tobacco products within the confines of a playing area, including dugouts. Failure to comply will result in immediate ejection from the contest and playing facility. Coaches and other team representatives will not be allowed to leave the playing field to use tobacco products during a game. F. Fighting. Fighting in any form by any person involved in any York Parks and Recreation Department activity or facility will not be tolerated. Fighting shall be defined as an act or attempted act of violence by one person towards any other person, including physical abuse and thrown objects. SECTION 3. SUSPENSION WILL OCCUR AS FOLLOWS CONCERNING FIGHTING AND THREATENING: A. Threatening a game official, participant, spectator, or representative of York Parks and Recreation Department will result in immediate ejection from the contest and a one-year suspension from all York Parks and Recreation Department sponsored activities and facilities. Parents of youth league participants must watch the parent video before being allowed to return to the playing facility. B. Physically striking or attempting to strike a coach, player, or spectator will result in immediate ejection from the contest and a one-year suspension from all York Parks and Recreation Department sponsored activities and facilities. Parents of youth league participants must watch the parent video before being allowed to return to the playing facility. C. Physically striking or attempting to strike a game official or representative of York Parks and Recreation Department will result in immediate ejection from the contest and a permanent suspension from all York Parks and Recreation Department sponsored activities and facilities. SECTION 4. OTHER GUIDELINES AND PENALTIES CONCERNING YOUTH LEAGUES A. If a player quits or leaves a team for any reason following the registration deadline, the coach must contact York Parks and Recreation Department. B. If an incident occurs with a participant in which the coach feels the participant should be removed from the team, the coach must submit a written statement to York Parks and Recreation Department outlining the incident and reason(s) for removal. Staff will review the information with the coach and all parties involved before any action will be taken.

9 9 C. If a player or coach is ejected from the contest by an official, York Parks and Recreation will review the circumstances surrounding the ejection and determine the suspension. The suspension will be final. D. York Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to determine violations of the above rules, to set penalties for violations, and to set in place other rules of conduct deemed necessary for the proper administration of the program.