Our League Rules

General

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Board of Directors (BOD)

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Dues

Every player is required to make a donation (Dues) to cover costs Bradenton Senior Softball incurs for the month(s) that he/she wants to play.  These costs include field rental, League equipment and other necessary incidentals.

The Dues may be paid via our website using PayPal or Credit Card.  Payment may also be made by cash or check.  Checks are to be payable to Bradenton Senior Softball.

Players who do not pay their Dues on a timely basis will not be eligible to play.

 

Format

Due to a large number of players interested in competing, there is always formal league play  three (3 days a week. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for the first quarter of the year. Recreation “pick-up” games are scheduled on Monday and Thursday the remaining 3 calendar quarters.

 

League Play

• Monday Recreation 5-7 teams, 12-13 players per team,
• Tuesday Competitive 5-7 teams 12 players per team
• Thursday Competitive 5-7 teams 12 players per team
• Thursday Recreation League 5-7 teams 12-14 players per team. Teams are established by managers using a draft process of rated players who have signed up for league play.  Refer to “Players” section for more information on player ratings
• Location
  • Most league games will be played at G.T. Bray Park with the exception of the Thursday Recreation which will host some games at Palma Sola Park. Most pickup games after May 1 will be played at G.T. Bray Park.

Players

All date players who sign up for league play must be rated by the Rating Committee. This requires all new players to be observed by the Rating Committee at either Buffalo Creek(or other designated location) Saturday morning practice or playing in Monday/Thursday pick-up games no later than one week before the end of league sign up. Players are rated 1 through 6 with 1 being the most highly skilled.

Players eligible to be drafted must commit to double headers. All players reporting to the field in reasonable health and paying dues should be allowed to play. Players present or approved by advance notice each January 1 will be eligible to be drafted for league play at least one day or more per week.

All players are eligible for “pickup” games at any time when league play is not in season. Teams will be selected by board members and/or managers. Players arriving after the initial selection process will have to wait for a position to become available. Players are urged to be punctual and those reporting late may have to wait until the second game of the doubleheader. All players present (unless injured) as part of a team roster must be in the batting order and play a minimum of two (2) innings in the field. A manager can also designate a player as an extra hitter that does not play the field unless there’s an emergency. The manager has to declare the extra hitter to the umpire and opposing manager before game begins.  Managers will make the batting orders and assign players to positions. If a player refuses to play a position, he may be suspended for that day. A player injured during play may be removed without penalty. Any player emotionally upset and leaving the game may be suspended for the next game

 

 

Behavior

All players and managers are expected to display positive sportsmanship at all times. Verbal and physical abuse is prohibited as well as “questionable language” and profanity. .

Code of Conduct - Player

I will:

1. Abide by the current official Bradenton Senior Softball league playing rules to the best of my ability.
2. Display positive sportsmanship at all times.
3. Refrain from physical or verbal abuse (including “questionable language” and profanity).
4. Avoid bodily contact that may cause injury to others or myself
5. Not use tobacco products in the playing area or dugouts. I will not bring, use, or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
6. Not argue with, taunt, degrade or harass my opponents (or my teammates). I will use respectful language as well as a respectful tone of voice.
7. Be in control of myself at all times and avoid violence of any sort.
8. Accept the decision of the umpires and my team manager in good sportsmanship.
9. Allow the team manager to handle disputes, protests, or appeals of rules with the umpire.
10. Avoid any action that will endanger the safety of other players (including throwing a bat).
11. Not refuse to play any position assigned by the manager (unless it will put me in an unsafe situation).
12. Promptly take the field or the batter’s box so that play will not be delayed.
13. Treat all facilities and equipment respectfully, promptly report any damage, and assist in set up / clean up as required.
14. Promptly notify my manager in the event I am unable to play.
15. Commit to being on time and prepared to play 2 seven inning games on each scheduled league date.

Code of Conduct - Board, League Coordinator, Manager

I will:

1. Always place the safety of the players above any other consideration.
2. Know and adhere to the rules of the league.
3. Safeguard the equipment, supplies, and facilities of the League.
4. Seek to deescalate any situation where conflict is involved.
5. Never engage in any acts which reflect poorly upon the integrity of the League.
6. Report all major conduct violations to the Board of Directors.
7. Do my best to be a positive encourager for all players.
8. Provide positive support to our umpires.
9. Adhere to all aspects of the “Player Code of Conduct”.

Bye Players

Players on teams not scheduled to play that particular day may be called by the league coordinator (LC) to fill open roster spots on scheduled teams.

Substitute(Sub) Players

Are defined as those players who signed up to be Substitute players only or were not present when league drafts were held. The Sub List will be established and maintained by each league coordinator (LC) and may be used at the discretion of the LC to fill roster shortages. A Sub player could play for several different teams and eventually secure a permanent roster spot if agreed to by LC and managers.  The LC may use a combination of Bye and Sub Players to fill open roster spots. If roster players show up unexpectedly, both Bye and Sub players that were called must play. However, all roster players must be in the starting line-up. Any player picked up at the field on game day must be approved by the LC and managers. Use of an illegal player will result in a forfeit. Players should tell or call managers with adequate notice when they are unable to play a scheduled game.

Refusal by a Player to Play

Any drafted or assigned player who chooses not to play for a team that drafts him or quits a team, could be suspended from playing in any or all BSS games for a period of one year. With agreement of the Manager’s Council (MC) a player could be traded. A player who leaves without permission may be suspended for one year or indefinitely.

Managers

Are selected by the league coordinator with final approval of the Board of Directors. There are several logistical responsibilities (See Attachment A). The managers in each league make up the Managers Council (MC) which may meet to discuss and render an opinion on all controversial situations that arise. The Board of Directors has the final review and decision.

Practice

A batting and fielding practice is usually held every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at Buffalo Creek Park. New players are especially encouraged to attend.

 

Time

All league games (Jan. 1 -March 30) and all Recreation (pick-up) games will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Players must arrive by 8:30 a.m. for warm-up and to allow time for teams to be assembled for pick-up games. Players not on time will bat at the end of the order and may miss the first game.

Equipment

The BSS Board of Directors will determine equipment: bats, balls, screens, etc. It will be enforced for our league.  We are currently using 44 core (375) balls for the competitive and Monday leagues and 52 core (300) for the Thursday recreational league.  Senior bats may be used in all leagues, but no modified bats are allowed.

Sponsors

All players are encouraged to solicit sponsorship of team shirts from the community. This is a considerable expense annually for 20-25 teams. That helps keeps our dues structure a bargain!

Umpires

Volunteers, mostly retired players, are welcome. Any league manager or player may be asked to participate.

Weather/Playing Conditions

Each league coordinator (LC) is responsible for monitoring weather and field conditions along with the park’s ground supervisor. The LC is responsible for updating the Bradenton Senior Softball Information phone in the event games are canceled. Players are responsible for calling the BSS Information line for game status. The BSS Information Phone Number is 941-301-4129.

Rules

The ASA rule book for senior softball is a guideline for BSS. However, local rules have also been adopted and are subject to yearly review. There are two versions of Local Rules, one for Competitive and one for Recreation leagues. Both can be found on the BSS web site. . All game protests will be resolved on the spot prior to continuation of game.