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THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE WOMEN’S DIVISION

HOTLANTA SOFTBALL LEAGUE

(Revised March 2004)

SECTION 1	Rules and Regulations for the HSL Women’s Division
SECTION 2	Divisions of Play
SECTION 3	Rule Violations
SECTION 4	HSL Membership
SECTION 5	Team Membership
SECTION 6	Individual Registration
SECTION 7	Player Eligibility
SECTION 8	Schedules and Standings
SECTION 9	Length of Game
SECTION 10	Playing Rules
SECTION 11	Forfeits
SECTION 12	Protests
SECTION 13	HSL Regular Season Champions
SECTION 14	HSL Post-Season Tournaments
SECTION 15	Grievance/Appeal Process

SECTION 1. RULES & REGULATIONS FOR THE HSL WOMEN’S DIVISION

A League, in order to function smoothly, must have a set of documents that govern organization and operation. The governing documents of HSL are the Constitution and Division Rules and Regulations. League Rules must be understood by members, managers and players. A copy of the Rules and Regulations adopted each year by the Winter Council will be provided to each team representative at the Spring General Membership meeting.

SECTION 2. DIVISIONS OF PLAY

A. WOMEN’S “A” COMPETITIVE DIVISION TEAMS & PLAYERS

1. Shall follow all HSL Rules and Regulations.
2. Shall be eligible for post-season tournament and NAGAAA World Series Play.
3. Shall be eligible to be picked up for the NAGAAA World Series.

B. WOMEN’S “B” ALTERNATIVE DIVISION TEAMS & PLAYERS

1. Shall follow all HSL Rules and Regulations.
2. Shall be eligible for post-season tournament play.
3. Shall be eligible for NAGAAA World Series Alternative or Recreational Division Play, provided that intent is declared and additional team fees (to total the same required fee as “A” competitive teams) are paid to HSL by the third week of play and that the team meets all GSWS Guidelines in Section 14.
4. Shall be eligible to be picked up for the NAGAAA World Series, provided that any Alternative player, picked up by a competitive team, will be considered as having played in the HSL competitive division that year for the purposes of determining player status.
5. Shall have no more than six (6) previously competitive HSL players on their roster. A player’s recreational, alternative, or competitive status will be determined by the division that player played in during that player’s two (2) previous calendar years.

C. WOMEN’S “C” RECREATIONAL DIVISION TEAMS & PLAYERS

1. Shall follow all HSL Rules and Regulations.
2. Shall be eligible for post-season tournament play.
3. Shall be eligible for the NAGAAA World Series Alternative or Recreational Division Play, provided that intent is declared and additional team fees (to total same required fee as “A” competitive teams) are paid the HSL by the third week of play and that the team meets all GSWS Guidelines in Section 14.
4. Shall be eligible to be picked up for the NAGAAA World Series, provided that any Recreational player, picked up by an HSL competitive team, will be considered as having played in the HSL Competitive Division that year for the purposes of determining player status and any Recreational player, picked up by an HSL alternative team, will be considered as having played in the HSL Alternative Division that year for purposes of determining player status.
5. Shall have no more that four (4) previously competitive HSL players on their rooster. A player’s recreational, alternative, or competitive status will be determined by the division that player played in during that player’s two (2) previous calendar years.

SECTION 3. RULE VIOLATIONS

There will be two (2) types of rule violations – minor and major. The Softball Council will determine into which category a situation will fall based on specific details involved.

A. Minor Violations – A violation of HSL Constitution or Rules and Regulations determined by the Softball Council not to be intentional or flagrant will result in a reprimand, probation, or suspension for a period not to exceed five (5) games. The severity of the suspension will be determined by the Softball Council.
B. Major Violations – Any violation of HSL Constitution or Rules and Regulations determined by the Softball Council to be intentional or flagrant will result in a severe suspension for a period lasting from six (6) games to the end of the season. A year on probation will accompany any such suspension. Further violations while on probation will result in prompt expulsion from HSL.
C. Special Conditions

1. Unsportsmanlike conduct at any HSL function or facility will not be tolerated.

a. Such actions as spitting, excessive use of profanity, obscene gestures, or throwing of objects will result in a hearing by the Softball Council in accordance with the HSL Constitution, Article XII Grievance/Appeal Process. Any such behavior determined to be minor in nature will result in one warning by the umpire or Officer of the Day. The warning will be logged in to the official scorecard for use at the subsequent hearing.
b. Any further infraction by a player, coach, manager, or member will result in expulsion from the game, facility, or function in question and suspension from HSL pending a hearing. Any HSL member involved in such activity will be asked to leave the ballpark or facility. Failure to leave, when asked, will result in expulsion from HSL.

c. Any verbal abuse, fighting, physical abuse, or damage to property involving an umpire, officials, players, coaches, managers, members, or fans by any HSL member will result in immediate expulsion from any game in question and immediate suspension form HSL. Any HSL member involved in such activity will be asked to leave the ballpark or facility. Failure to leave, when asked, will result in expulsion form HSL.

2. Enforcement of this rule will be executed by the HSL Executive Council member designated as Officer of the Day by the Commissioner.

SECTION 4. HSL MEMBERSHIP

A. “Team” membership in the Organization shall require dues in an amount per team, per season, as set by the Executive Council. Team membership dues may be paid by an individual or group or by a sponsor from the local business community. Divisional declaration must be made upon payment of team dues.
B. “Playing” membership in the Organization shall require dues in an amount per person, per season, as set by the Executive Council.
“Playing” membership shall be defined as:

1. An eligible player;
2. Permitted to participate fully in all activities of the Organization, including voting privileges.

C. “Non-playing” membership in the Organization shall require dues in an amount per person, per season, as set by the Executive Council.
“Non-Playing” membership shall be defined as:

1. Any person other than an eligible player;
2. Permitted to participate fully in all activities of the Organization, including voting privileges.

D. “Booster Club” Membership in the Organization shall require dues in an amount per person, per season, as set by the Executive Council.
“Booster Club” Membership shall be defined as:

1. Any person other than an eligible player or a non-playing member.
2. Permitted to participate fully in all activities of the Organization, excluding voting privileges.

E. No refunds or team or membership dues will be made by HSL after the start of regular season play. Impacted members may be allowed to change teams by complying with the Team Membership rules in Section 5.
F. Only HSL members are allowed in the field and bench area.
G. Authorization must be obtained before the name or photograph of any HSL member may be published or announced by HSL. HSL cannot be held responsible for the actions taken by any media that does not have HSL approval.
H. Any person, team, or sponsor, who presents a check to HSL that is not honored by the bank, will be required to pay a $30.00 (thirty dollar) fee and any outstanding dues via certified check or money order, before that person or team is allowed to participate in HSL. Any person, team, or sponsor who presents more than one check in a calendar year that is not honored by the bank may be required by the Executive Council to pay any monies due to HSL via certified check or money order for the remainder of that year and the following year.
I. The Executive Council may declare any person or sponsor ineligible for membership in HSL if such person has any debt to HSL and has failed to make satisfactory arrangements for repayment of such debt. Any such declaration of ineligibility will require the affirmative votes of 75% of the Executive Council.

SECTION 5. TEAM MEMBERSHIP

A. Women’s “A” competitive team membership shall be limited to twenty (20) “playing” members, unlimited “non-playing” members, and unlimited “booster club” members. Women’s “B” Alternative and “C” Recreational team membership shall be limited to twenty-two (22) “playing” members, unlimited “non-playing” members, and unlimited “booster club” members.
B. A team roster must be presented to the Women’s Secretary before the HSL regular season begins on the date set by the Executive Council. The final team roster must be presented to the Women’s Secretary by the date set by the Women’s Executive Council.
C. A player may not change teams without being released. A player may not change teams after the start of the third week of play of the regular season. To change teams, a player must inform both coaches and the Women’s Commissioner of her intent. A new registration form must then be completed and approved by the Women’s Commissioner or Officer of the Day before that player is eligible. A player may plea a hardship case to the Women’s Executive Council to waive this rule.

SECTION 6. INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION

A. Every member must submit an HSL registration form and pay membership dues before he/she is eligible to participate. A member must sign his/her own form, which must then be signed by the team coach. It is the coach’s responsibility to submit any registration forms and any dues to the HSL Commissioner, Women’s Commissioner, or the Officer of the Day before that member participates.
B. In any case where this procedure is not followed properly, the coach accepts personal responsibility for any consequences that may result in terms of liability. The player and coach in question both would face possible suspension for such action.

SECTION 7. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

HSL Rules and Regulations will govern player eligibility. There will be three sets of guidelines – one for the HSL regular season, one for the HSL post-season tournaments, and one for the HSL representative(s) in the GSWS. Violation of these guidelines will make that player in question ineligible for participation in that particular category of competition. Any Fall season sanctioned by HSL will abide by the regular season guidelines.
A. Regular Season Guidelines

1. A player must be duly registered.
2. A player must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. A player can play for only one team.
4. A player must not be on suspension on game day.

B. HSL Post-Season Tournament Guidelines

1. A player must be duly registered.
2. A player must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. A player can only play for the team on which she was a roster member as of opening game, subject to hardship appeal.
4. A player must not be on suspension on game day.
5. A player must have participated in a minimum of 50% of her respective HSL women’s division team’s regular season games as determined by the official HSL scorecard. (To be listed on the HSL scorecard, a player must have participated in the game or been in uniform on the team bench.) Cases of hardship may be appealed to the Softball Council before the tournaments begin.

C. Gay Softball World Series (GSWS)

1. A player must be duly registered.
2. A player must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. A player must not be on suspension during the dates of the GSWS.
4. A player must have participated in a minimum of 50% of her HSL women’s division team’s regular season games as determined by the official HSL scorecard. Cases of hardship, for players who have at least 33% participation, may be appealed to the Women’s Executive Council no later than two (2) weeks prior to opening day of the GSWS.
5. A player must satisfy other requirements for participation as may be established by NAGAAA.

SECTION 8. SCHEDULES AND STANDINGS

A. The HSL season schedule will be prepared by the Executive Council after the deadline to register teams. Team Representatives will be issued season schedules as soon as it becomes final.
B. Team Representatives will be issued season schedules and HSL line-up cards before the season starts. The team listed second on the season schedule will be designated as the home team and will occupy the third base bench.
C. It is the responsibility of the Women’s Commissioner or designee to inform the team representatives as to whether or not the field is playable. It is the team representative’s responsibility to inform his/her players.
D. Games cancelled will be rescheduled at the discretion of the Women’s Executive Council. The Women’s Division Secretary will notify in writing the team representative of each team involved in any cancellations as to the revised schedule.
E. In the event of a change of weather conditions after a game has started, the umpire can suspend a game until weather conditions improve or cancel a game. ASA rules apply for all suspended or cancelled games.
F. Requests for schedule changes will be decided by the HSL Women’s Executive Council. Teams must give a 30-day written notice for a possible schedule change. Schedule change requests on less than 30-days notice may be considered in extreme circumstances. The HSL Women’s Executive Council has the right to refuse a schedule change request.
G. If a team leaves the league during the season, all teams shall receive a win whether or not they have played the team in question.
H. Standings will be kept by HSL and will be published regularly.

SECTION 9. LENGTH OF GAME

The time limit for all games will be determined prior to the start of the regular season by the Executive Council and announced at the HSL Spring General Membership Meeting.
A. A game will have a time limit, with no new inning starting after the time limit expires.
B. All tie games will continue, using the ASA tie breaker rule, after the time limit expires or after seven (7) innings have been completed, until a team wins.
C. A team shall be declared winners if, after five (5) completed innings they have scored twelve (12) runs, or fifteen (15) runs after four (4) innings, or twenty (20) runs after three (3) innings, more than their opponent. Complete innings must be played, unless the home team scores the run ahead limit while at bat.
D. All post-season trophy games will be played for a full seven (7) innings (six and one-half (6 & ½) if the home team is ahead) with no time limit and/or run rule.
E. If a team has not completed five (5) innings after the time limit, the team with the most runs following the completion of that inning shall be declared the winner.
F. Rule changes related to time limits and scheduling may be implemented by the Executive Council as deemed necessary before and during the season and/or post-season.
G. If games are delayed for rain or other inclement weather, the Officers of the Day may change the format of games in order to try and complete all the games of the day.

SECTION 10. PLAYING RULES

HSL uses the official softball rules as adopted by ASA, the international joint rules committee on softball, except for several adaptations by HSL as noted herein.
A. HSL Rules and Regulations and an official ASA Rulebook will be at the field during all games to assist in resolving any potential conflicts.
B. All HSL games shall be officiated by an ASA accredited umpire. If such an umpire is not available, any knowledgeable member of HSL mutually agreed to by both managers, having both signed the official scorecard prior to the game, with the Officer of the Day present, will be allowed to officiate.
C. The Home Plate Umpire will be the official scorekeeper. Prior to the start of each game, the coaches, using the HSL Line-up Card, must provide the Home Plate Umpire and the opposing coach with the official line-up including substitutes and players present but unable to play due to injury. The home team’s scorebook will be the official scorebook. If the home team does not have a scorekeeper, then the visitor’s scorebook will become the official scorebook. The official HSL Line-up Card will determine HSL standings and player participation.
D. Official Line-up – A team shall consist of no fewer than nine (9) players. The ASA Short-handed rule will apply except that, if a team falls below nine (9) players during the game, play may continue if both coaches and the Officer of the Day sign the scorecard.
E. There will be a ten-minute (10) grace period for the first game of the day only. A team must have enough players to field a team at the designated starting time of their game or the umpire will call an official forfeit. The ten-minute (10) grace period will count as part of the official game time.
F. Uniforms must consist of matching team shirts with numbers on either the front, back, and/or sleeves. If a team has more than one uniform shirt, a player may be allowed to wear either team shirt if approved by the Officer of the Day. However, players on the same team may not wear identical numbers. The ASA Uniform Rule will be superceded by ASA Rules related to blood stained uniforms and open wounds (replacement uniforms will not have to match).
G. Any ASA-approved bat will be allowed. For a list of ASA-approved bats, see the ASA website at www.softball.org. Anyone caught using an illegal bat, whether intentionally or not, will immediately be ejected from the game. If the game has completed three (3) innings of play, the player is suspended for the remainder of the game in question as well as the following scheduled game. There is no appeal to this rule.
H. Each player shall begin her turn at bat with a 1-ball, 0-strike count.

SECTION 11. FORFEITS

A. A team will forfeit a game for any of the following:

1. Failure to have and maintain a minimum of nine (9) players on the field. (This rule may be waived – See Section 10.D.)
2. Quitting in defiance of an umpire’s decision.
3. Fielding a player who is ineligible on game day.

B. A fine for forfeited games will be set by the Executive Council prior to the start of regular season and announced at the Spring General Membership Meeting. Teams are ineligible to play if fines are not paid by check, certified check or money order, by the start of their games the next scheduled week of play. After payment, a team may appeal their fine, in writing, to the Softball Council to have their money refunded.
C. A team with three (3) forfeits will be dropped from the league. Appeals for reinstatement may be made, in writing, to the Softball Council.

SECTION 12. PROTESTS

A. All ASA protests will apply. (No protest will be accepted on the Umpire’s judgment of play.)
B. The official written protest must be filed in writing to the Women’s Commissioner or Officer of the Day, within 24-hours after the game in question, and must be accompanied by the protest fee set by the Executive Council prior to the start of the regular season and announced at the Spring General Membership Meeting. If the protest is upheld, the fee will be returned to the team or sponsor. If the protest is not upheld, the fee may be retained by HSL.

SECTION 13. HSL REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS

The winners of the most regular season games, in each of the Competitive, Alternative and Recreational Divisions will be declared the HSL Regular Season Champions.
A. In the event of a tie in the Competitive Division, the HSL Regular Season Champion will be determined on the basis of a single elimination tournament by all teams involved. In the event there are more than two (2) teams, seeding will be determined by an arbitrary draw. The HSL Competitive Division Regular Season Champions will be one of the teams representing HSL and Atlanta in the GSWS and will not play in the World Series Berth Tournament, but may play in the HSL Playoff Tournament.
B. In the event of a tie in the Alternative or Recreational Divisions, The HSL Regular Season Champion will be determined by:

1. Head to Head competition (win-loss record).
2. Head to Head run differential.
3. Coin toss.

SECTION 14. HSL POST-SEASON TOURNAMENTS

After the conclusion of the regular season, there will be up to two (2) sets of post-season tournaments on the date(s) specified by the Women’s Executive Council: one set for the GSWS Berth and one set for the HSL Playoffs.

A. Any GSWS Returning Champion or HSL Competitive Division Regular Season Champion may not play in the GSWS Berth Tournament, but may play in the HSL Playoff Tournament. Any team that has won and accepted a GSWS Qualifying Tournament Berth may not play in the GSWS Berth Tournament, but may play in the HSL Playoff Tournament.
B. The formats for these tournaments will be established once it has been determined which teams will be participating. Teams must declare which tournament, if any, they will be participating in no later than the next to last week of regular season play. Team eligibility to participate in the GSWS Berth Tournament(s) will be determined in the guidelines in Section 2.
C. Seeding for both tournaments will be determined by standings from regular season play. Ties shall be broken as follows:

1. Head to Head competition (win-loss record).
2. Head to Head run differential.
3. Coin toss.

D. If there are an uneven number of teams in the tournament, the top seeded team will receive a bye.
E. GSWS Berths

1. The maximum number of teams that will be permitted to attend the GSWS is determined by the number of teams in the Women’s Division as follows:

a) 4-7 teams equals 2 berths.
b) 8-14 teams equals 3 berths.
c) 15 or more teams equals 4 berths.
Additional NAGAAA Guidelines apply to the teams that may use these berths. Consult a member of the Women’s Executive Council for further details.

2. One of the GSWS Competitive Division berths will go to the HSL Competitive Division Regular Season Champion, unless it is a GSWS Returning Champion or that team has already accepted a GSWS Qualifying Tournament berth. All remaining berths will be awarded as a result of the GSWS Berth Tournament(s).
3. A team, in order to be eligible to represent HSL and Atlanta in the GSWS, must satisfy the eligibility requirements for player eligibility in Section 7-C as well as the following team roster requirements:

a) A roster of players to represent HSL and Atlanta in the GSWS must be provided to the Women’s Commissioner by a date determined by the Women’s Commissioner. If the team does not have at least six (6) players on the final roster from their regular season roster, they shall be declared ineligible to participate in the GSWS. The team finishing next highest in the GSWS Berth Tournament would then be asked to represent HSL and Atlanta. If this team did not qualify, the selection process will continue down the GSWS Berth Tournament standings until an eligible representative is found or the berth will go unused.
b) Additional players may be added to the winning team consistent with NAGAAA rules for the GSWS.
c) All teams representing HSL in the GSWS will be required to demonstrate financial ability and player commitment by a deadline set by the Women’s Executive Council. Failure to participate, after the deadline and commitment will result in a financial penalty and probation to be established by the Women’s Executive Council.
d) Any NAGAAA fines will be incurred by the teams in violation.

F. HSL Playoffs
The top three (3) finishers in the HSL Playoff Tournaments will be given a team award.

SECTION 15. GREIVANCE/APPEAL PROCESS

A. The person or team in question must be challenged in writing by a current member of HSL to the HSL Commissioner or Women’s Commissioner.
B. The written challenge must state the name of the person or team in question, the reason for the challenge, and a specific list of charges that prompted the challenge.
C. The challenge must be presented to the HSL Commissioner for a challenge of any Executive Council member(s), or to the HSL Commissioner or Women’s Commissioner for a challenge within the Women’s Division, for presentation to the Council. (All subsequent references to the Commissioner in the Article shall be interpreted as the HSL Commissioner or Women’s Commissioner as appropriate to the challenge, except that the HSL Commissioner shall not preside over any meeting in which the HSL Commissioner is the person being challenged, in which case the Women’s Commissioner shall preside.)
D. The Commissioner will call a meeting of the Softball Council and notify the Softball Council, the person or team representative of the team in question, and the person issuing the challenge at least five (5) days before the meeting as to the date, time, place, and reason for the meeting.
E. The Commissioner will preside over the meeting. The person issuing the challenge will read his/her challenge. The person or team representative of the team being challenged will respond to the challenge after such reading is finished. There will be a maximum of thirty (30) minutes allowed for questions and comments from the Softball Council. The person issuing the challenge and the person or team representative for the team being challenged will both leave the room for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes to allow for discussion by the Softball Council. At the end of the discussion by the Softball Council, the Softball Council will vote by secret ballot to determine whether the person or team is question is in violation of HSL Guidelines.
F. A person or team will be considered in violation if 75% of the Softball Council in attendance votes in favor of the challenge. The specific penalty assessed for the violation will be determined by the nature of the infraction, based on the HSL Constitution and Women’s Division Rules and Regulations. Possible penalties include, but are not limited to, reprimand, probation, suspension for a period not to exceed five (5) games, severe suspension lasting from six (6) games to the end of the season and a year on probation, expulsion, removal from office, ineligibility for membership or ineligibility to compete in a particular subdivision. The period of time associated with the penalty, if applicable, will be determined at the time the penalty is assessed.
G. At the end of the vote tabulation by the Commissioner, the Commissioner will assemble all persons involved and the decision of the Softball Council will be presented.
H. Any person or team declared ineligible for membership will remain so until they petition the Executive Council for reinstatement.
I. Any person or team declared ineligible for membership may petition the Executive Council for reinstatement by fining such a petition with the HSL Commissioner before said person or team begins HSL play. Any reinstatement will follow the grievance/appeal process guidelines above, except the person issuing the challenge need not appear.
J. If a person or team being challenged does not cooperate with the guidelines stated above, that person or team shall be considered ineligible for membership for the rest of the season.
K. If the person issuing the challenge does not cooperate with the guidelines stated above, the challenge will be dropped and that person issuing the challenge will be suspended for a period to be determined by the Executive Council.

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