Susquehanna Valley Church Softball League

2021 League Rules

                                                            Last revised 05/03/21    Red- Important rules    Purple- New rules from 2018

Players

1. Before the start of each game, we ask that the teams come together for prayer time. The home team for the first game will be the team responsible for leading the prayer. At the conclusion of the second game, we ask that the teams come together once again to say a departing prayer, which will be provided by the home team for the second game.

2. The recommended age for participants in the league is 16 years of age. If a coach has a player less than 16 years of age, then that person may play at the discretion of their guardian.

3. The league requires that the majority of the team consist of players who attend at least two Sundays a month at some church. Managers must enforce this rule on their team.

4. Line- up cards must be completed and submitted to the opposing teams captain at the end of each game. The line- up cards shall contain the first and last name of each player present for that game on them. Optional.

5. All players on a team are allowed to bat, but this must be stated to the umpire and opposing team before the game begins. A DH will be permitted during the entire season including playoffs.

6. Players are recommended to slide if there is a close play. Any attempt to injure an opposing player or to knock the ball loose is an automatic out.

7. All team's (winner/loser) must report the final score of the game(s) with umpires names to Ray Crissman before your next game. Please do this via email (raycris2@yahoo.com) and (ksnyder@gsvymca.org) with softball score in the subject line. Failure to report scores will result with both teams winning one game. Texting is ok to both!!

8. Only one courtesy runner may be used per inning. The last person to make an out must be used as the courtesy runner. Violations result in an out and the runner is removed from the base. Exception: In the event of an injury, a second courtesy runner may be used if the designated courtesy runner is already on base.

9. The arch of each pitch must be between 6 to 10 feet in height. Any pitch that is too high or too low will be called as a "ball,” unless the batter swings at or hits the pitch.

10. All double headers will start at 6:00 p.m. with a 1 an 1 count. If a batter has a two strike count and hits a foul ball they will be called out.

11. Each team must pay the league fee before any league games are played.

12. At no time will throwing of equipment or unsportsmanlike conduct be tolerated. Anyone exhibiting these acts will be asked to leave the game immediately.

13. Before the start of a double header, the umpire will do a coin toss. The winning team of the coin toss will choose the game for which they will be the home team.

Equipment

1. It is recommended that if all possible that all team members wear similar uniforms. Inappropriate shirts will not be tolerated.

2. No metal spikes are allowed in this league! Anyone caught wearing them will be asked to leave the game.

3. Only all-wood bats will be allowed for league and tournament play, which are ASA approved. All bats should be marked “Official Softball” by the manufacturer. Bats shall be no more than 34 inches long nor exceed 38 ounces in weight. The bat shall not be more then 2.250 inches in diameter at its largest part. Bats must have at least one roll of tape on the handle. A player caught using a illegal bat will be ejected for that night, a second team infraction will result in team forfeit.

3a. ASA approved metal bats will be allowed for female players only. Any male players under

the age of 16 must use all-wood bats unless opposing coach agrees.

4. One new ball per league game will be provided by the league. After the conclusion of a game, the game balls are to be kept by the team that supplied them.

5. The strike mat provided by the league will be used for all games.

Field

1. Absolutely no alcohol, profanity, or tobacco products of any kind will be allowed to be used by the players at any field. Failure to obey this rule will result in your team being asked to leave the league with no refund.

2. It is the responsibility of the teams to make sure that the field on which they are playing is in good playing condition, by either raking it or dragging it. If the teams fail to rake or drag a field before or after their games, a $10 fine will be levied on both teams. This penalty must be paid before the next game is played to avoid forfeiture. 

3. The decision to postpone a game due to weather conditions is up to the umpire and team captains. This decision should be made at least one hour before game time, so that team captains can notify their team. If a game is postponed, it must be reported to the Kyle Snyder, so the game can be rescheduled. Both teams can reschedule make-up as long as it doesn't conflict with other games scheduled and a umpire is notified. If this is done, notify Kyle Snyder of the change. If a game is not made up before end of season, it will be recorded as a split 1-1.

4. If one team does not show up for a game and fails to notify the umpire and opposing team, a $10 fine will be levied. This penalty must be paid before the next game or the game will be forfeited. The 2nd game missed without notifying the umpire and opposing team will result in a $15 fine. On the third violation, officers of the league may remove the team from the league.

5. All games will consist of seven innings, unless, anytime after five innings, one team has 15 more runs than the other team (after that team has had a chance to bat if they are the home team). If the game is tied after seven innings, the extra innings rule will be in effect.

6. Rules applied per field. Check with umpire if you are unsure.

**The rules above were designed to make the league more enjoyable for all players. Any rule not covered above is governed by the ASA official rules of softball.**

Rosters. Only a ASA roster is due if a team wants to play tournaments due by June 20th. Players may be added through the 9th game. Players must make 33% of games schedules in order to play in the playoffs. Eligible players are the responsibility of each manager.

1st Round 

Millers Concrete Defeats Heimbachs Power Washing

Bullfrog Brewery Defeats M R Garage Doors

Freer Construction Defeats Rusty Rail

Dugout Talk / Get Weird Defeats Kauffmans

2nd Round Winners Bracket

Millers Concrete Defeats Bullfrog Brewery

Dugout Talk / Get Weird Defeats Freer Construction

2nd Round Losers Bracket 

M R Garage Defeats Heimbachs Power Washing

Kauffmans Defeats Rusty Rail

3rd Round Losers Bracket

M R Garage Doors Defeats Freer Construction

Bullfrog Brewery Defeats Kauffmans

4th Round Losers Bracket 

Bullfrog Brewery Defeats M R Garage Doors 

3rd Place Game 

Bullfrog Brewery Defeats Millers Concrete 

Championship Game

Dugout Talk / Get Weird Defeats Bullfrog Brewery

LEAGUE CASH RAFFLE! 

Tickets will be given out to all teams this weekend! 

Teams MUST SELL 80 tickets at $3 each totally 240 dollars in sales. We are giving every team $50 back off of tickets so you will only need to turn in $190 and the tickets for the drawing on 9/27/2020.

1ST PLACE $500.00

2nd $100

3rd $50

4th $50

5th $25

6th $25

7th $25

8th $25

Teams may have as many pick ups as they like. Whatever roster you sign is your team for playoffs. You can only play for one team in playoffs. PICKUPS CAN ONLY BE USED WHEN ROSTER PLAYERS UNAVAILABLE.

Forfeits: Team that has committed the forfeit will result in a 7-0 loss and be responsible for both teams umpire fees. ($30) per game. 2 Weeks of forfeits will result in team being banned from league for remainder of season. 

Must have minimum 50% of games played to be eligible for playoffs. 

ASA Approved Bats

Hit your own 52/300 Dudley. One dozen provided from league or $50 refund on league entrance. 

Home Run Rule: 3 Per Game per team. 1 up once home runs reached by both teams. Home runs that aren't allowed will result in an out

1 courtesy runner per inning

Umpire Fee: $15 per team per game

Mandatory ticket selling: 80 raffle tickets at $3 each. Each team responsible for $240 worth of tickets. 

Mercy Rule: 20 in 3 innings, 15 in 4 innings, 10 in 5 innings

Line up cards must be filled out and given to umpire each game. 

Game results must be text to 570.898.8285 weekly!

Must be available to play half hour before scheduled game time. First game of day will begin at 9 am sharp! 

Games will start with minimum of 8 players. This will not result in an out for players not available. Game leeway is 15 minutes. Every ten min late thereafter results in 1 run for opposing team per inning. example: 25 minutes late ( 15 min for the 1st inning, 10 for the second inning) opposing team is winning 2-0 starting third inning.