Bulletin Board
Subscribe to our NewsletterFayette Traveling League BY-LAWS – 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I: Duties and Responsibilities:
SECTION II: PLAYER Eligibility
SECTION III: GAME & PLAYER
SECTION IV REPORTING OF RECORDS AND SCOREBOOKS.
SECTION V. PLAYER CONDUCT.
SECTION VI SPECIAL EVENTS
SECTION VII: UMPIRES.
SECTION VIII: FORFEITS
SECTION IX PROTESTING A GAME
SECTION X: NEW TEAMS AND PLAYERS
SECTION XI: MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION XII: PLAYING RULES
Meetings will be run by Roberts Rules of Order
Amending the by-laws: AMMENDMENTS TO THE BY BY-LAWS WILL OCCUR DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON ONLY. A BY-LAW COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF TEAM MANAGERS WILL MAKE INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS. THIS COMMITTEE WILL THEN SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEAGUE TO BE VOTED ON. AFTER THIS VOTE BY-LAWS CAN NOT BE CHANGED TILL THE FOLLOWING SEASON (unless in safety or unforeseen circumstances) IN ORDER FOR A BY-LAW TO BE CHANGED OR ADDED, A 2/3 VOTE AND A QUAROM MUST BE PRESENT. NEW TEAMS only have a vote after first year and all entry terms are satisfied.
Section I: Duties and Responsibilities:
#1 League will be run by committee of all managers. All decisions will be made the MANAGERS ONLY, by majority manager vote. The officers only have powers to perform duties of that office. Each manager has 1 vote. All MANAGERS WILL HAVE THE DUTY TO: Enforce, interpret and apply the rules/ by laws of the league.
OFFICES
Secretary will: Compile By-Laws and distribute them to managers, complete the minutes for each league meeting, maintain official team rosters, keep game results and standings updated online, and enforce, interpret and apply the rules/ by laws of the League. Also responsible for working with head Umpire to schedule make up games. (Bob Leighty)
Treasurer will: Maintain League Finances, prepare league budget, report league finances at meetings, make deposits within five days of receiving monies and checks, responsible for all monies during league fundraisers and responsible for putting together initial schedule, obtain any needed insurance, enforce, interpret and apply the rules/ by laws of the League (Andy Dorsey)
Head Umpire will: Assist Secretary with scorecards. Schedule umpires for all games, responsible for reporting player ejections and misconduct to league. (Rich Lenk)
SECTION II: PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
Teams may roster a total of thirty-five (35) players for the duration of the 2023 season. No FTL team may roster more than two players that play in another Men's Monday-Friday Softball League (baseball, church, co-ed, weekend are exempt). Each manager must have a signed team roster submitted to the League Secretary prior to start of 2023 play.. ----- Original roster is one received by managers prior to first FTL game.
A . Roster additions after start of season must play ½ season games to be eligible for playoffs.
B. All players on opening day roster and playing FIVE games will be eligible for playoffs.
C. The 1ST team a player plays for is his official team
D. Each team's 2 League Players (Max of 5 (new 2024)) must play 75% of team's games to be eligible for playoffs.
E. A discharged service man may be signed at any time during the regular season. Only applies once with original team.
F. Any player leaving one FTL Team for another during the season must play 2/3 of total season games to be eligible for playoffs.
F. Players must sign roster and accept the following:
1.To play at your own risk and will not hold liable any FTL Officer, Manager, Field Owner or Team Sponsor.
2. To uphold the rules/by-laws of the FTL and respect its players, umpires, managers, field owners and fans. Failure to due so will result in immediate action by the league.
G. Roster additions must be made to the League Secretary the day before that player takes the field (updated 2023)
H. Player Release: A player may “request” his release by his manager. The manager must verbally notify the League Secretary within 24 hours of the request. If that player does not owe his team money and uniform is returned he may sign with another team. He then must play 2/3 of that team’s total season games to be eligible for playoffs.
I. No Player owing money to an FTL team can play for another FTL team until debt is settled.
J. Any player banned from any other softball league is ineligible to play in the FTL.
L. MULTI LEAGUE PLAYERS: Players who during season decide to play in another Monday – Friday league must be released immediately. If they are not one of the two players designated as a two league player before the season starts. If a player is caught:
Challenging a possible multi league player------If a manager wants to challenge a player on another team's roster in violation of the multi league player rule he must: notify that team’s manager and league secretary that there is proof (not rumor) of the accused player playing in another softball league. At that point the accused player's manager will have 48 hours to investigate and either drop that player from the roster without penalty or deny the accusation. After the 48-hour period the matter will go before the league managers. *Proof is name of team, league and when a player broke rule >> so it can be verified - NO hearsay accepted
Punishment: 1. Player is suspended for the calendar year
2. Player pay $500 fine to the league before playing again in the FTL.
3. Team forfeits ALL games player played in.
SECTION III: GAME & PLAYER
1. Staring with in 2023 The FTL will buy single wall bats to be used for all games.
2. Two games (DH) each night at field start time is 6:15. Each game – 1 hour time limit.
3. Game goes 1 pitch after the completion of the inning in which 1 hr time limit occurs. (Umpires MUST monitor this)
4. Batter starts with 1-1 count
5. Games will be played on all 5 week nights.
** GAME TIMES: The first game will start at 6:15PM. A fifteen-minute grace period IS allowed before the game will be forfeited. There is NO grace period for the second game.
All games will be seven innings. If a game is shortened by darkness, rain, etc., five complete innings will constitute a legal game. Regular season games not reaching 5 innings due to weather will be replayed. NOTE: If a playoff game is suspended before five complete innings, it will be picked up where it left off (no matter the rain whether rain, darkness, or emergency situation) RAIN OUTS: Home team manager will report a rained out game to the head umpire by 5pm.
A) If there is a last minute rainout where umpires and teams are at field, or rainout is called before 5 complete innings, umpires will be paid $5.00.
` B) If the field becomes UNPLAYABLE after 5:00PM, home team must stay at the field to meeting visiting team. Both managers & home plate umpire make the call if the game can be played or not (Field Conditions) Majority Rules.
C) If a team cancels a game and field found to be playable in will be a forfeit by the home team
SECTION IV REPORTING OF RECORDS AND SCOREBOOKS.
1. Both teams are responsible for maintaining scorebooks at games. Scorebooks will have player’s last name listed (not nicknames). At any time scorebooks may be needed and requested for verification of player eligibility. 2. Managers will send photo of scorebooks immediately after game to league secretary (Bob – 724-880-8513) so the league secretary will monitor results and rosters on league website. www.leaguelineup.com/ftlsoftball
2. Scorebook picture must be sent to league secretary within 48 Hours of Game Completion. Any scorebook not turned in within 48 hours will not be accepted (added 2022).
3. Both Managers are responsible FOR REPORTING EJECTIONS TO THE League Secretary at the conclusion of the game.
4. Umpires are required to sign the scorebook after each game. In the event of a protest, they will sign in the inning of the protest AND CIRCLE THE PLAYER WHERE THE PROTEST occurred.
5. Managers will be required to provide scorebooks at meetings to verify amount of games played for new additions and multi-league players. If a team can’t/won’t supply scorebook when requested = possible league discipline.
SECTION V. PLAYER CONDUCT.
1. All coaches, manager, and players are to conduct themselves in a gentlemanly manner while playing, or a spectator. They are not to use foul or abusive language, engage in any unsportsmanlike conduct, or in any way discredit their own reputation or the reputation of the FTL.
A. First warning for abusive language (does not have to be the F word) will be at home plate before the game begins. Second offense will result in player ejection. If the player cannot be identified, the manager will be ejected from the game.
B. Abusive language by non-players in a dugout or in the stands will result in that person be asked to leave the field & his name given to the league at the next meeting. Note: non-players & spectators that are not on teams in the FTL.
C. Any player ejected ($25 fine) from a game will be automatically ejected from the team’s next game.. The player can't be present for the next game in any way. They are barred from attending that next game.
D. Ejection fines double and 3 ejections will result in suspension for the remainder of the season, including playoffs.
E. Excessive abusive language / aggression directed at an individual will be a minimum additional two game suspension (player must have been ejected from the game)
F. Repeated discipline offenders will be subject to league probation or indefinite suspension.
G. Intentionally breaking a league bought bat is a fine in the amount to cover the cost of the bat, plus any fines if ejected.
* UMPIRES - INSTANCES IF UMPIRE REFUSES TO TAKE PROPER ACTION FOR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR – Managers may submit situation to league managers for reviews, if they are present at a game. Umpires neglect in their duties will no longer be called to umpire
1. The Head Umpire will do his best to keep umpires from doing games where there are issuses between the team and umpire.
2. Any coaches, managers, players or umpires from the FTL, willfully THREATENING or inflicting bodily harm upon another member of the FTL, including umpires, shall be removed from the game immediately and suspended until arbitration.
A. This applies to all league functions.
B. Minimum penalty for bodily harm will be five games up to a maximum of a lifetime suspension. Games sat out until arbitration board meets will count towards suspension.
C. Player making INTENTIONAL contact with umpire will be suspended the remainder of season including league functions and my face a lifetime suspension.
D. Any umpire initiating contact will be immediately reported to the sanctioning body.
E. Managers must attempt to control their players.
3. Individual players found negligent of not turning in ticket money or uniforms (if requested) to their respective team will not be permitted to play in the FTL until proper restitution is made to that team or league
4. SUSPENSIONS CARRY over till the next season if there are not enough games remaining in current season and include league functions.
5. EJECTION FEE MUST BE PAID TO LEAGUE BEFORE THE NEXT ELIGIBLE GAME IN ORDER FOR THAT PLAYER TO BE PERMITTED TO PLAY. EJECTION FEES ARE $25 FOR FIRST GAME, $50 FOR SECOND GAME AND $100 FOR THE THIRD GAME. ALL EJECTIONS FEES WILL BE GIVEN TO CHARITY TO BE DETERMINED AT BEGINNING OF SEASON
SECTION VI SPECIAL EVENTS
1. FTL teams will be responsible for all tickets that are distributed to the team to sell. Ticket money is due before ticket goes off / or fundraiser begins or the following will occur until paid in full. NO CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY LEAGUE.
A. Schedule will be frozen
B. All scheduled games will be forfeited
C. Ineligible for other league functions.
D. All players on that team’s roster are ineligible until all team money is paid.
F. Any team owing money will not have a vote on any situation until money is paid.
2. Any FTL team not attending or participating in required league functions (fund Raisers & tournaments) during the year will be fined $300 per offense. Note: If a league tournament is missed, the entry fee is due, in addition to the fine. If a FTL Team plays its first game in a league tournament & forfeits any game after that it will be fined $25.00 per first game and $50 if a second game plus cost of umpires each game. The money will go to hosting team. (No League Tournaments in 2024)
3. LEAGUE MEETINGS are for managers, Secretary, Treasurer only and Head Umpire; unless specified differently.
A. It is manager’s duty to communicate news from meetings to players and vice versa.
4. League Entry Fee
Returning teams = $300 (added in 2023 to replace selling tickets)
New Teams = $300 (non-refundable).
Championship Trophy (Cup) awarded - The Fayette Traveling League Championship Trophy will be called the “Luther Harrison Memorial Trophy”
5. League Fundraising
A. Teams will be responsible for league fundraising for league expenses i.e., softballs, field insurances and any other necessities.
B. All team monies must be turned in prior to fundraising event or schedule will be locked, resulting in forfeits and fines until all is paid.
SECTION VII: UMPIRES.
1. The home (field) team will be responsible for paying both umpires ($25 each / game -- $50 / game if 1 ump.) Umpires of forfeit games are to be paid by forfeiting teams.
2. Any player, coach, or manager coming in contact with an OR THREATENING umpire will automatically ejected from the game.
A. THREATENING or Contact with an umpire will result in an immediate suspension until the league can make a decision on his case.
3. If no umpires arrive for a game, both teams must in agreement to choose an umpire from the stands. Agreement is binding and good for the entire game.
SECTION VIII: FORFEITS
1. Any team forfeiting a game will be assessed the following:
A. First Offense: $25.00 plus FULL umpire fee (home or away)
B. Second Offense: $50.00 plus FULL umpire fee (home or away)
C. Third: $100.00 fine and team is possibly done for remainder of season. (League manager’s discretion)
2. ALL FINES ARE TO BE PAID BY THE NEXT GAME. FAILURE WILL RESULT IN GAMES BEING FORFEITED UNTIL PAID (clarified 2023)
3. If any team forfeit a game before 5 PM on the day of the game, there is no fine (added 2024)
SECTION IX PROTESTING A GAME
1. Notification of intent to protest a game must be made (before the next pitch is delivered to batter). Protests can only be made on misinterpretation of a rule (FTL or NSA), or failure of an umpire to apply correct rule to given situation of failure to impose the correct penalty for a given violation (Except Player Eligibility) - Scorebooks must be signed when notification to protest is given
A. All protests must be filed in accordance with the NSA rulebook
B. The official written protest must be filled with a league officer accompanied by a $25.00 protest fee within 48 hours of the start time of the game being protested.
C. An arbitration board (managers) will then meet on the protest.
D. The board will make a decision of the protest (See following Rule 2 for alternatives)
E. The arbitration board’s findings are final.
2. Decisions made on protested games must result in one of the following:
A. If ruling is in favor of the team filing protest; protest fee will be refunded.
B. Protest is invalid and game score stands as played.
C. Protest is allowed for misinterpretation of a playing rule, the game is replayed from the point at which the incorrect decision was made, with the correct decision implemented.
D. When a protest for player eligibility is allowed, the team the decision is against shall forfeit the game being protested, fee is refunded.
SECTION X: NEW TEAMS
1: A NEW TEAM IS DEFINED AS A TEAM THAT HAS NOT BEEN IN THE LEAGUE THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
A. New Team Entry Fee = $300 non-refundable
B. NEW TEAMS manager only has a vote after 1st year and all entry terms are satisfied.
2. ALL new teams will be voted upon by returning teams for acceptance into the league by majority vote.
3. New team home fields must be accepted by league managers.
4. New teams (1 year probation) must adhere to all FTL by-laws and rules or risk possible expulsion from league.
SECTION XI: MISCELLANEOUS
1. The term softball “season” is defined as: The time from which the calendar year starts until the last league event has taken place. This includes league meetings.
2. The term “League Function” is defined as “An event in which all Teams are required to attend.”
A. No team shall schedule an event to conflict with a league function.
3. Uniform colors for new teams or color changes for existing teams must be approved by the League prior to season.
4. General Playoff setups: For 2024 There Will Be One Division with 5 Teams (Play Each Team 8 Times for a total of 32 games).
5. 2024 Playoffs: Teams seeded 1 to 5 with 4 vs 5 in the opening round. Round 2 will be 2 vs 3 and winner of 4/5 vs 1. The rounds will Best of 3, Best of 5, Best of 7 (Championship)
5. NEW TEAMS only have a vote after all entry terms are satisfied.
6. If an FTL home team has a concession stand, visiting teams are not permitted to bring their own food and beverages to the field (Jilly’s rule). Violators can be asked to put their food/drink away or risk ejection from field and possible league discipline.
7. Teams must have restroom facilities for all league functions. ** Penalty = Loss of home games until corrected - $100 fine
* ANY FTL PLAYER, MANAGER, SPECTATOR, ETC…. observed going to the bathroom anywhere other than in facility provided by the home team will be asked to leave field. If they refuse to leave the police will be called. If it is a player or manager, they will face a fine and suspension. (REMBER THERE ARE WOMAN AND CHILDREN AT THE GAMES)
8. SPECIAL MEETINGS WILL HAVE AT LEAST 24 HOURS NOTICE FOR ALL TEAM MANGERS AND LEAGUE OFFICERS.
9. The FTL will have a minimum of 1 league meeting per month during the playing season. Group texts between all managers and officers can be used to vote on issues when needed instead of all meeting.
10. No games will be scheduled July 3-5 (Added 2019)
11. Games will be played Tues, Wed, and Thursday. Teams can agree to play makeup games on Mon and Friday if they choose, but must let the head umpire know so umpires can be scheduled. (Added 2024)
SECTION XII: PLAYING RULES
ALL GAMES PLAYED UNDER NSA RULES. ELIGIBILITY FOLLOWS NSA RULES. FTL RULES SUPERCEDE NSA RULES.
NSA RULES and NSA Legal bats can be viewed on NSA website: www.playnsa.com
1. BASE LENGTH WILL BE 65 FEET. PITCHING PLATE WILL BE 53 FEET FROM THE BACK POINT OF HOME PLATE AND PITCHING RUBBER WILL BE 18 INCHES WIDE.
2. A BACKLINE WILL BE USED TO INDICATE BATTERS BOX. THIS DISTANCE WILL BE 34 INCHES (1 BAT LENGTH) FROM THE BACK POINT OF THE PLATE. NOTE: IF A LEGAL PITCHED BALL HITS THE LINE IT WILL BE CALLED A STRIKE. BACK LINE MUST BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE GAME.. At any time an Umpire or Manager can request the line to be re-done.
3. HOME TEAM WILL FURNISH ONE NEW BALL FOR EACH GAME, PLUS AN ALTERNATE BALL OF GOOD QUALITY. THE OFFICIAL BALL MAY CHANGE WITH LEAGUE APPROVAL. (Diamond Zulu 44-375 in 2020)
4. AN INTENTIONAL FAST PITCH WILL BE CALLED A BALL. PITCHER WILL BE WARNED TWO TIMES FOR FAST PITCHING WITH THE THIRD OFFENSE RESULTING IN EJECTION OF PITCHER FROM THE GAME.
6. TWO FOUL BALLS ANYWHERE AFTER TWO STRIKES WILL CONSTITUTE AND OUT.
7. BASE RUNNERS MAY NOT LEAVE THE BASE UNTIL THE BALL IS HIT. (NO COURTESY STEP). RUNNER WILL BE CALLED OUT FOR THIS OFFENSE.
8. ONCE A BAT IS IDENTIFIED AS BEING ILLEGAL, COACHES WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LEAGUE OFFICER OR UMPIRES THAT THE BAT IS ILLEGAL, UMPIRES WILL INFORM MANAGERS AT THE FIELD OF ALL ILLEGAL BATS.
9. IF A GAME IS a SWITCHED field BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME AND BOTH COACHES AGREE TO THE MOVE, UMPIRES WILL GO THE NEW FIELDS.
10. ALL INFIELD PRACTICE MUST BE CONCLUDED AND LINEUPS TURNED IN TO OFFICIAL SCOREKEEPER FIVE MINUTES BEFORE GAME TIME. IF NINE PLAYERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PLAY, THE GAME MUST START AT 6:15 (NO GRACE PERIOD)
11. ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR UNIFORMS. A UNIFORM WILL CONSIST OF A HAT, JERSEY AND SHORTS OF A MATCHING COLOR OR BASEBALL TYPE PANTS, NO CUTOFF JEANS OR SWEATPANTS. . ALL PLAYERS WILL WEAR UNIFORMS OF MATCHING COLORS (NO EXCEPTIONS). NOTE: THIS INCLUDES LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS. IF VIOLATED, PLAYER WILL NOT PLAY IN GAME.
12. NO METAL SPIKES WILL BE PERMITTED IN THE FTL.
13. NO SMOKING ON THE FIELD AT ANY TIME.
14. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE FIELD AT ANY TIME (THIS INCLUDES DUGOUTS). VIOLATION WILL RESULT IN EJECTION FROM GAME AND REMOVAL OF OFFENDER FROM PLAYING FIELD AND DUGOUT.
15. A TEAM MUST FIELD A MINIMUM OF NINE PLAYERS AT ALL TIMES TO AVOID A FORFEIT. IF THE 9TH PLAYER IS LOST DUE TO AN INJURY NO MONEY IS DUE, BUT IF DUE TO AN EJECTION, FORFEIT MONEY IS PAID.
16. TWELVE (12) PLAYERS MAY BAT WITH ONLY (11) PLAYING THE FIELD. EXTRA PLAYERS (EP’s) ARE OPTIONAL. THE EP CAN ROTATE IN TO PLAY THE FIELD. THE ROVER and All Infielders MUST PLAY IN THE DIRT. (Umpire’s discretion for safety)
17. ONCE THE LINEUP HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICIAL SCORER, ANY ADDITIONS TO THE LINEUP MUST BE ADDED TO THE END OF THE BATTING ORDER. THIS INCLUDES EXTRA PLAYER. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING END OF GAME BOTH TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO DRAW LINES THROUGH OPEN LINE-UP SPOTS IN SCOREBOOKS. UMPIRES MUST SIGN SCOREBOOK AND SCOREBOOK MUST BE AT EVERY MEETING.
18. NO ADDITIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE LINEUP AFTER IT HAS BEEN BATTED THROUGH ONE TIME.
19. A TEAM IS ALLOWED ONE COURTESY RUNNER PER GAME WHICH WILL BE THE LAST BATTED OUT. ANYONE OVER FIFTY HAS THE RIGHT TO HAVE A COURTESY RUNNER WHICH WILL BE THE LAST BATTED OUT. YOU CAN NOT PINCH RUN a 50+ PLAYER THEN PINCH RUN FOR HIM (DUNBAR RULE). Legitimately injured players can be pinch run for if opposing manager agrees.
20. Mercy Rule: 10 runs ahead after 5 innings, 15 runs ahead after 4 innings, 20 runs ahead after 3 innings. Mercy rule is in effect during playoffs except Championship Series (all innings must be played) (added 2023).
21. CANCELLATION OF A GAME DUE TO OTHER THAN WEATHER CONDITIONS OR TRAGEDY MUST BE 24 HOURS BEFORE THE GAME AND AGREED TO BY BOTH TEAMS and THE LEAGUE SCHEDULER.
22. HOMERUN RULE IS 5 AND 1 Up (added 2023)
21. If even amount of games, season standing ties will be determined by coin flip. (2013)
23. Playoffs will rotate home and away. Higher seed gets first home game and rotates from there.
24. PITCHING = The pitching hand shall be below the hip and the ball released from below the hip.
25. PITCHING = The ball must be delivered with an arch and reach a height of at least 6 feet from the ground while not exceeding a maximum height of 10 feet from the ground. The pitcher must be touching the rubber until the ball is released from the hand.
27. ALL WOOD BATS MUST BE 34” in length and Say Official Softball Bat 6/17 (When wood bats are used) (When Wood Bats are used)
WELCOME
THIS IS THE HOME OF THE FAYETTE TRAVELING SOFTBALL LEAGUE.
