Double AA Sports Central Jersey Coed Slow Pitch Leagues

 

 

1.       ALL PARKS RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED by ALL PARTICIPANTS (NO EXCEPTIONS!)
- NO Maintenance or Physical Alterations of any Township or County Field or Property is permitted 
- NO Alcoholic Beverages Allowed (as per Township Ordinance Section 4-18.1)
- NO Drugs of any kind are permitted
- NO Profanity
- NO Public Urination
- NO Tobacco Products
- NO Physical or Verbal Abuse of Site Supervisors or Umpires is an AUTOMATIC season ending suspension and possible ban from all Central Sports Association (C.S.A.) sanctioned leagues
- All litter and debris must be picked up after each game/event
- The park must be vacated immediately following the last game
- Any damage to park/facility property is the responsibility of the Permit Holder
- Parking only in designated parking lot when using Geick Softball Field:
- Any vehicle(s) identified by site supervisor as belonging to league player(s)/Umpires which are parked in non-authorized spots will result in the following:
            - First offense: Game forfeiture for that player(s) team
            - Second offense: Expulsion from the league for the player(s) in violation
- Please be advised, the Township of Old Bridge has adopted Ordinance # 47 – 03 Athletic Code of Conduct. All leagues playing on our fields are bound by this ordinance. You may view it on our web site at www.oldbridge.com on the recreation web page.
**Any issues related to the fields (lights, playing conditions, etc., need to go throuugh the team managers and then to the league who will address them with the township directly. If this policy is violated and a player goes directly to the township officials then the league will have no choice but to suspend the player for breaking the protocol.
*** These rules are a binding part of the permit; at the discretion of Parks & Recreation who reserves the right to revoke a league’s permit for violation of any rule(s); this includes the forfeiture of all permit fees for games not yet played and no refunds would be issued to the league or any team.

2.       No Alcohol is permitted in any of the parks we play in. If an umpire spots anyone drinking during a game the game is ended and forfeited by the team no exceptions and the police will be notified as well as the player being suspended for the season. Hanging out and drinking in the parking lot is also not permitted in any of the parks.  The parks are all cracking down on this as a result of violence at youth games, etc., police will be coming through and if they see it a summons will be issued and reported to the league which will lead to a ban of the player (and possibly the team).   

3.        RAIN & WEATHER: - Teams should not take it upon themselves to cancel games. Such action could result in a double forfeit being assessed. Rain in one area does not mean that it is raining at the game site. Rainouts will be rescheduled within reason on the schedule and any rainouts that cannot be rescheduled will be deemed canceled. Game day rain teams will be notified by the league no later than 4pm of game status (if it rains after 5pm then the call is made at the field by the umpire or field super).  Teams will be notified via a posting on the league site: www.cnjsoftballcoed.com, text or email. We will make every attempt to play it safe conditions permit.  On weather related days we ask that you have patience as a call will be made as soon as possible, many times we are waiting on the township & county officials to make an official call or have someone checking the fields.  Once a call is made that a field is canceled due to weather ALL games for that night are canceled.

                                                                i.      If the lights are not on at a field - Old Bridge in the Spring by 7:30pm, Fall by 7pm or the code at McMahon does not work for any reason.  The umpire will notify the league and I will call and try and get the issue resolved as quickly as possible.  Please do not keep calling and/or text as once I am made aware, I am calling to get this resolved and cannot respond.     

4.      SOFTBALLS: Each Team will supply 1 brand new softball the AD STARR TATTOO “YELLOW” 52 cor/300 softball per game (IF you have the BADEN FIRE softballs, they can also be used as they are also .52 cor/300) Teams should have back up balls available in the event a ball is lost.  Teams must chase homerun and foul balls.  If you run out of softballs during the regular season, then you can purchase additional balls at $5 per ball.  If a team has any softballs that are 12 inches and have the same 52 cor/300 softballs, they can be used if you have no other softballs.  

5.       SPRING LEAGUE STRUCTURE: OLD BRIDGE - FOUR divisions the East, West, North & South  .

                                                                i.     ALL teams will play each 10 regular season games and double elimination playoffs (East & West will cross over and North and South will cross over) 

                                                              ii.      Playoffs will be divisions and teams can be shifted from one division to another to balance out the competition (Goal is to keep all teams in division playoffs) 

                                                             iii.     Regular season will be 10 games for the Spring and 8-10 games for the Fall

                                                              iv.    Playoffs will be double elimination format in the Spring and single elimination in the Fall with finals possibly being best two of three (if time permits)
*** If weather causes massive rainouts and cancellations the league has the right to alter the schedule to get the season completed in the allotted time frame the townships permit.  (This is more of an issue for Fall seasons as the townships close the fields prior to Thanksgiving) ***     

6.      ROSTERS: players must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for league play. 

                                                                i.    All team managers are provided a sign on to the league site to enter the team roster and instructions with screen shots showing them how to perform each function required

                                                              ii.      Your team roster must be on the site by opening day and then by your teams 4th game of the season your roster is finalized. After the roster locks if you have legitimate injuries or circumstances please                                   contact me and we will discuss options.

                                                             iii.      Teams can have up to 25 players on the roster (with a minimum of 11) - Tournament players D Level must be kept to a minimum of no more then 1 per team, E level players are considered recreational league players.

                                                             iv.      When entering the roster, it is required First and Last Name of the player, jersey number if applicable, positions they play and date of birth (can be added with photos)

                                                              v.      Teams can do drop adds to the roster in the Spring until they reach their 5^th game of the season. (After that point rosters are locked).  In the Fall until teams reach their 3rd game of the                                         season.

                                                             vi.      Regular season only - If a substitute is needed and you ask a player from another team you MUST ask the other manager if it is okay. Under no circumstances can you have a roster player sitting on  the bench when using a fill in player, roster players must play over any substitutes. If a manager declines (this is their option) to allow a substitute than that is final.  PLAYOFFS no substitutes are permitted from other teams only roster players

                                                            vii.      Players cannot jump from team to team and fill in - Players can be on two teams in different divisions but must be listed on both team rosters and qualify for each team for the playoffs                                       

7.        ELIGIBILITY:  To be eligible to participate in league playoffs, teams and player must have the following:

                                                                i.    Players must appear in 5 of the 10 games in the Spring.  Fall is 3 of the 7/8 games

                                                              ii.      Rosters must be on the site with player full names and photos by opening day and final roster by the team’s 4^th game for Spring, 2nd game for Fall

                                                             iii.      All league fees, forfeit fees must be paid to in full no later than your second game, forfeits in season the forfeit fee of $60 must be replenished by your next league game to continue playing in the league    

8.      LEAGUE FEE: In your entrance fee, you will receive 12 softballs in the Spring/Summer/Fall leagues and a score book with line up cards (umpire fees are NOT included in the league fee for the season or playoffs).  Teams will receive a username and password to the website: www.cnjsoftballcoed.com and must use this to enter their team rosters, games results and can keep player statistics on the site. Refunds are permitted prior to league play, minus any processing fees (i.e. PayPal credit card payments).  Once season play begins there are NO Refunds!                                        

9.    GAME FEES:  We will use one umpire per game and the Umpire is to be paid at the field by each team $25 per game prior to the beginning of the game at ground rules for all games including playoffs. In the playoffs, we will use two umpires in the Finals and the teams will pay each umpire $50 per game. Failure to pay the umpire at ground rules can result in forfeiture of the game and require the forfeiting team to pay both umpire fees for that game. 
- Umpire(s) are to be paid before a pitch is thrown or the game will not be played*****- Cash is the acceptable payment, you can ask the umpire if they have a cash app but if they do not you must have the cash to pay the umpire.*****

10.     FORFEIT FEE & FORFEITS: Teams are required to pay the game fees (both teams fees so if you forfeit one game you pay $50, if a double header $100) for any forfeit at the field or after 4pm on game day. If the league is notified by 4pm then no fee will be applied, the team must pay the game fees for any forfeit prior to playing the next game (either cash to the umpire at the field or they must Venmo @CNJ-Softball so we can get the fee to the umpire. If a team forfeits for a second time during the season they will be disqualified for the playoffs and if a third time dropped from the league.     

                                                                i.      Forfeit on game day after 4pm or at the field forfeiting team pays both team’s fee 

                                                              ii.      To pay the game fees the team must pay via VENMO (CNJ-SOFTBALL) or Credit Card (league will invoice manager) or Cash to the umpire  

                                                             iii.      In the event an umpire ends a game due to an incident the team causing the forfeiture will lose the game and their half of their team forfeit fee on file and must replenish the balance before their next game.

                                                             iv.      Exceptions: If a game is suspended for any reason and the league reschedules a continuation of the game the teams will each pay the umpire $10 to complete the game at resumption.    

11.     FORFEIT GRACE PERIOD: is 15 minutes from scheduled starting time of first game of the night.  After the first game of the night NO GRACE PERIOD is permitted and start time of the game is the start time. Covid guidelines stagger the time so please be aware of your start time.

12.     MERCY RULE: Regular Season and Playoffs: If after 3 innings one team is ahead or goes ahead by 20 or more runs or after 4 innings if one team is ahead or goes ahead by 15 or more runs or after 5 innings if one team is ahead or goes ahead by 10 or more runs, the run rule applies and if the home is behind, they will bat one more time. The team that is ahead shall be awarded the victory.

13.     MANAGER/CAPTAIN: Each team will designate managers/captains to communicate to the umpire. Only those identified to the umpire will be permitted to communicate with the umpire.  If an argument occurs, please advise your players to tell the captain/manager so they can have a civil discussion with the umpire 

14.     UP THE MIDDLE (PERTAINS ONLY TO MALE HITTERS)
- Umpires will mark out a 5 foot area with cones (a Halo).  
- Any ball hit into the coned area (Halo) line drive will be an automatic out and the umpire will call ‘Dead Ball’ 
- Any ground ball hit into the coned area will be an automatic out and the umpire will call ‘Dead Ball’ 
- Any ground ball fielded before the cones by the pitcher is a live ball
- If the pitcher reaches for a ball, then the ball is considered live (this means they reach to the right, left or above their head)  
- If the pitcher vacates the coned area then the ball is live regardless of line drive or ground ball
- Once an infraction happens a warning will be issued to both teams of the infraction, noting the player who went up the middle
- If the same player in the same game goes up the middle again (accidental or not) then that player is ejected from the game,
- if at any point the umpire feels the ball was shot through the middle intentionally then that player is ejected immediately.  
- If a player states they are going up the middle and it is heard by the umpire then that player is to be immediately ejected and will be suspended for a minimum of 3 games & potentionally for the season.

                                                               i.      It is strongly recommended (not required) that pitchers wear shin guards and a helmet for safety

                                                              ii.      The first offense of " the umpire will call a dead ball and an out.  The umpire will then notify each team with a warning and note the player who went up the middle..

                                                             iii.      The second offense by the same player in the same game (accidental or not) will be a dead ball, automatic out and that player is ejected from the game and posisbly suspended.

 

                                                             iv.      If the umpire deems an intentional hit through the middle then the player is ejected and suspended no matter when the incident occurs (length to be determined by CSA board review of the incident)

v.    Any player heard stating they will shoot the middle or advising their team to shoot the middle the game is to be stopped and that player is to be ejected from the game (NO EXCEPTIONS).  Saying you are going to shoot the middle and if it then happens can be a criminal charge as that is a serious threat and if anyone follows through after it being heard then the game is forfeited regardless of the score and the player hit can press criminal charges.  

15.   COMMIT LINE
The umpire will create a line, halfway between home plate and third base. Once a runner passes this line they must continue home. The play becomes a force play and the catcher is only required to touch home plate to record the out, the runner must run to the base off to the side. The catcher will us home plate and the runner will use a base off to the side, all plays will be force plays, if the Catcher touches the base off to the side the runner is safe and if the runner goes to the home plate the runner is out. The rules applies to only plays at the plate. NO SLIDING AT THE PLATE WILL BE PERMITTED AS IT IS NOW A FORCE PLAY WITH THE COMMIT LINE, A SLIDE WILL BE AN OUT.  The purpose of this rule is to avoid serious injuries and sliding at the plate as we all know the fields are not always flat and batters boxes could be dug out causing a potential injury.

16. Base Hits to the Outfield by the girl hitters - No player can throw the ball to first base to get an out, 2b, 3b or home is fine but 1b is not permitted for female hitters only. Male player you can throw out at any base. If a ball is thrown to first base from the OF on a girl hitter the girl batter is safe and will be awarded 2B as a penalty. 

17.  UNIFORMS – Each team needs to have matching color shirts for the Spring season by May 1^st, 

                                                                i.      If the team has a multi-color uniform the team color that is the most relevant will be considered primary color 

                                                              ii.      If a player has a shirt that says the team’s name or logo on it then that satisfies the league rule and does not have to be a matching color 

                                                             iii.      The Fall season we do not require a uniform rule but encourage teams to have matching color shirts. 

18.     TIME LIMIT: ALL Games in the Spring have a 75-minute time limit in the regular season and an 80-minute time limit in the playoffs (until the finals, then league will advise of the time allowance).  NO new inning can start once we hit the time limit meaning if the home team ties the game at the end of the inning the game ends in a tie (regular season only, playoffs we play until we have a winner).  Any inning that is started MUST be completed and the home team must bat if they are trailing. The umpire will issue a time warning as the game approaches the time limit and may advise this is the last inning of play at that point.

                                                                i.      If an umpire determines that the game is moving at a slow pace, he/she can invoke speed up rules

19.     GAME PLAY:  All games will be regulation 7 innings (unless otherwise specified under the time limit section and/or run rule applies). An official game is 5 full innings (4 1/2 if home team is ahead). If game goes past 4 1/2 or 5 innings and is tied, then the international tie breaker rule (REGULAR SEASON ONLY) will be used until there is a winner, or the time limit expires. Ties will be recorded as a Tie.

20.     WARM UPS/BATTING ORDER/MINIMUM FIELDERS/HITTERS/DESIGNATED HITTER

                                                                i.      Male batters can only swing Aluminum bats

                                                              ii.      Female batters can swing either Aluminum or Approved composite bats (see Legal bats area below)

                                                             iii.      All batters will start the count at 1-1 with no courtesy foul, but if a foul is hit with two strikes the batter is out via a strike out.  

                                                             iv.      ALL teams must set their line up as follows for the first 6 batters: Alternating Male/Female or Female/Male 

                                                              v.      Pitchers will receive 5 warm-ups pitches the first inning and 2 thereafter.

                                                             vi.      Players can warm-up infield/outfield until the 3^rd inning then no warm ups are permitted

                                                            vii.      Each team is allowed 10 defensive players (minimum is 3 female fielders)

                                                          viii.      A team may play a game with 8 players (one must be a female and she must play the field other than the catcher position the team will receive an automatic out per inning for the entire game).  If another player shows up that is a male player they can enter the game as the last batter until the end of the third inning (but they must play the field first) the automatic out per inning remains, if it is a female player then the automatic out is changed to the 10^th batters spot only for the remainder of the game.  

                                                             ix.      The lineup is not established until the entire lineup has batted the first time around. After that point you can only add one player until the end of the 3^rd inning from that point on only substitutions may replace a starting player.

                                                              x.      An extra hitter may be used (can be male or female) maximum male batter in a line up is 8

                                                             xi.      Female batter’s minimum is 3, but no limited on how many can be in the batting line up in the event a team has 2 females the 6th batter the first time through is an out for each game the team has 2 female players, a team cannot play with 1 female player  

                                                            xii.      A Designated Hitter (DH) is permitted for any player in the field of play (but if it is a female that is being designated hit for then it must be a female hitting for her, a male can be either a male or female being the DH). Line up can only have 8 male batters in the game     

                                                          xiii.      Players who have been substituted for may once re-enter the game but only in the batting order position they were previously at

                                                          xiv.      When a female is at bat, a minimum of 4 outfielders must stay in outfield. Outfielders may not play ball till it enters “outfield area” behind the infield.

                                                           xv.  WALK RULE: if a male batter walks in front of female batter on three straight balls (he takes 2B) and the female player has the OPTION to walk or hit, if the male batter takes a strike and walks he goes to 2B and then the female batter MUST hit. 

                                                          xvi.      Players CANNOT wear metal spikes. Plastic or rubber cleats ONLY

Note: If your team has 2 girls you can still play, with 2 girls in the field and 7 guys. However your line up would be as follows guy/girl etc through the first six and the sixth or fifth where ever the girl would bat is an out each time in the order. You can also only bat 7 guys not 8. If your third girl shows up she can enter the game at any time and the auto out goes away and you can have 10 fielders.

21.     LEGAL BATS – Male batters can only swing Aluminum (and Aluminum bats must have a GREEN sticker on them).  Female batters can swing Aluminum or approved and tested composite bats.

                                                                i.      Teams will only be permitted to use bats that have a 2004 ASA Stamp or higher, passes the compression test and are not on the banned USA/ASA bats list which can be found on the inside cover of your teams scorebook or on the league site at: https://www.leaguelineup.com/topnews.asp?url=cnj_coed&itemid=1157804

                                                              ii.      The league follows the approved USA/ASA bat list for league play

                                                             iii.      Senior Bats are NOT permitted in league play

                                                             iv.      ALL Composite bats will be tested & Aluminum bats will receive a green sticker to avoid confusion

                                                              v.      Once the bat is tested a A.S.A. approved sticker/tape will be adhered to the bat.  (The league can at any time retest team bats during the season without notice)

                                                             vi.      A legal bat cannot have any cracks or dents and the label must be able to be seen, if a bat cannot be clearly identified as a legal bat then it cannot be used

                                                            vii.      Wood bats are permitted and do not require testing

                                                          viii.      At the beginning of the game please line up the bats so the umpire can check to see if they have the legal sticker on them and have no dents or cracks. The umpire can remove a bat even if it is having an approved sticker if he/she determines a safety issue with the bat.

                                                             ix.      If a player arrives to the game late, they must show the bat to the umpire prior to batting to ensure compliance

                                                              x.      If a team notices an illegal bat, they MUST point it out immediately, not after it has been used   

                                                             xi.       Any player caught tampering with the sticker/tape or using an illegal bat will face disciplinary actions as an individual as well as the team as follows:
- FIRST TEAM OFFENSE – Team player is Caught WITH an illegal bat, the batter is called out and ejected from the game and that bat is removed and all other team bats inspected immediately and then every team bat will be retested at the next game.
- SECOND TEAM OFFENSE – Team player is Caught USING an illegal bat, the batter is called out, the inning is ended and the player is ejected with a 12 game suspension (if end of a season will carry forward), the entire team is on probabaton and disqualified from post seasn player if another infraction the team will be thrown out of the league.
- THIRD TEAM OFFENSE -   Same Team is Caught USING an illegal bat a again time, the game is forfeited and the team is disqualified from post season play, with the player suspended indefinitely and the team is thrown out of the league

22.     HOMERUN RULE LIMIT:

                                                                i.      Any batter that hits a home run over the fence only have to touch first base (if no fences then they must run the bases to get all you can get)    

                                                              ii.      Female hitters have no limit on homeruns

                                                             iii.      Male batters are permitted to hit 5 over the fence home runs.

                                                             iv.      All balls hit over the fence by a team more than 5 we will use the one (1) up rule. Meaning if both teams have hit 5 home runs and one team’s hits a 6^th home run then the other team is permitted to hit another home run. 

                                                              v.      Once a team hits the limit of 5 home runs if they hit a 6^th or more before the one up comes into play, the result of hitting that home run will cause the inning to end regardless of when hit for the team that hit the home run.
Exception:  If fields have no fences the Homerun rule remains the same.  Ground Rule:  Any ball hit into the woods or parking lot on a fly is a Home run any ball that bounces into the woods or parking lot is a ground rule double – this applies to Geick Park

23.     PITCHING RULES:

                                                                i.      Pitchers must pitch in accordance with slow pitch rules

                                                              ii.      The pitcher must face the batter before delivery

                                                             iii.      The Pivot foot must be in contact with the pitching rubber when ball is released (middle, left or right is fine)

                                                             iv.      The ball may be held in any matter during delivery

                                                              v.      Pausing is allowed on the back swing

                                                             vi.      Pitching distance is 50 feet (6 –12-foot arc) 

                                                            vii.      The ball MUST be pitched at a slow rate of speed

                                                          viii.      Any pitch higher than 12 feet will be declared an illegal pitch 

                                                             ix.      Pump Fakes are NOT permitted

                                                              x.      No behind the back or between the legs is allowed

                                                             xi.      Balls and Strikes will be called by the umpire in accordance with slow pitch rules

                                                            xii.      Any pitched ball that hits the mat or plate is a strike

                                                          xiii.      All batters will start the count at 1-1 with no courtesy foul, if a foul is hit with two strikes the batter is out via a strike out.  

24.     BASE RUNNING:

                                                                i.      A base runner must avoid contact with any fielder

                                                              ii.      Sliding is not mandatory, but a runner must avoid contact with the fielder

                                                             iii.      Any runner who in the judgement of the umpire makes deliberate contact with a fielder will be automatically called out and is ejected from the game with a minimum suspension of one game pending a review of the incident to be determined by the League's director.

25.     LEADING, BUNTING & STEALING is prohibited

                                                                i.      Base runners may neither steal bases nor lead off bases before the batter contacts ball (should this happen, the runner will be considered out and the play ruled dead)

                                                              ii.      If a batter swings and misses a pitched ball, any runners that came off their occupied bases AFTER the batter’s swing-and-miss are OUT

                                                             iii.      Base runners may tag up and advance on fly balls.  Exception: Tagging up - if a catch is in foul territory on a hit that causes a strikeout, the ball is dead as with any other strikeout in slow pitch

26.     COURTESY RUNNERS:

                                                                i.      Injured players may remain in the game defensively and have a courtesy runner each time they reach base.in addition to the courtesy runner rule

                                                              ii.      The courtesy runner must be in the batting order and will be the player who made the last out

                                                             iii.      The courtesy runner must be male for male, female for female

                                                             iv.      There is a limit of 1 courtesy runner per inning for each team per game (last out male for male, female for female) only exception where a second runner in an inning can be used is for injury purposes

27.     RE-ENTRY - Any and all players may be substituted and re-entered for one time during the game.  Once this happens the sub is out of the game and if the original player who was replaced for comes out again then he/she will be out for the rest of the game.  The only exception to this rule is if the sub is injured and unable to play and the team has no other roster players in attendance to replace the injured player/sub, then they can re-enter again.

28.     BASES:
Teams will supply the bases for all fields. (Home team is responsible, away team should have their bases available as well.  Umpires may or may not have a set available). The umpire will measure out the bases and supply the home plate mat.

Old Bridge League – Lower Geick, Phillips Park, Raritan Bay, Manalapan Rec Center, Union Hill and Thomas Edison fields will have no bases out and you will need a double first base (or two single bases spread apart) and two single bases for 2B & 3B.   At Veterans Park, 2B & 3B will be put out by the township and teams only need to bring the double first base.

29.     PROTESTS

                                                                i.      Must be made verbally to the umpire immediately before the next legal or illegal pitch (otherwise even if a rule is misinterpreted the protest is not valid). 

                                                              ii.      At the point the protest occurs the umpire will advise the other team that a protest has been made and will sign both score books at the point where the protest occurred.

                                                             iii.      It is also required that the team protesting send an email to: cnjsoftball@aol.com within 48 hours of the game detailing exactly what is being protested. 

                                                             iv.      If this process is not followed, then the protest will not be allowed. 

                                                              v.      For a Roster protest - Any starting players MUST be protested by the end of the third inning, all substitutes must be protested at the end of the inning they enter the game.

                                                             vi.      If a roster player is protested and it is deemed the player is not qualified the team will lose the game regardless of the outcome of the game played

                                                            vii.      If an interpretation of a rule is found incorrect, the game reverts to the point in the game the protest took place and will be resumed from that point.

                                                          viii.      In the event of the protest the game should be played in full and if the protesting team wins the game the protest in voided out. In the playoffs the same rule applies the game must be played

                                                             ix.      IMPORTANT: a protest decision will not be made on the spot, unless it determines if a team plays again in the same night.   

                                                              x.      The league, umpires and teams will provide a thorough review of the incident and a decision will be made prior to both teams next game

                                                             xi.      Umpire judgement calls (such as balls and strikes, out or safe are not permitted to be protested)

30.     UNSPORTSMEN LIKE CONDUCT of any league official, township official, umpire, player or spectator will not be tolerated.

                                                                i.      Excessive abuse of an umpire or malicious contact with officials or opposing players is grounds for EJECTION and or team forfeit & PLAYER WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR THE SEASON (NO EXCEPTIONS).

                                                              ii.      Trash talking will not be tolerated and can be grounds for an ejection.

                                                             iii.      Any ejection from a game is an AUTOMATIC 1 game suspension of the teams next playable game (rain outs do not consist of the next game) NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.

                                                             iv.      Any player or coach who strikes an umpire will automatically be suspended for the remainder of season.

                                                              v.      The league has a right to suspend any player or coach upon umpire's recommendation.

                                                             vi.      Two ejections of the same player will be automatic suspension for season.

                                                            vii.      Fighting will result in the umpire immediately ending the game and both teams will suffer a forfeit and pending a review of the incident possibly a full season suspension.

31.     PLAYER EJECTIONS/FIGHTING/ARGUING:
Players ejected from a game MUST leave the playing area immediately.  Any player ejected get an automatic minimum one game suspension no matter the infraction.  Depending on the incident & upon review the length of the suspension can be more.
**** If a player that is thrown out of the game refuses to leave the playing area in a reasonable amount of time (gather belongings etc., the umpire can end the game as a forfeit for the team the player is on ***** 
- As you are all aware officials all over the country have been being viciously attacked verbally and in some cases physically.  Our league is no different we have had grown ups throw equipment, hats and yes even a ball at an official as well as verbally assault.  To be clear, none of this will be tolerated.
- If any player throws any item, verbally assaults or touches an umpire or another player before, during or after a game they are gone period.  No suspension necessary the player is banned from all CNJ Leagues and any league that CSA umpires indefinitely, furthermore the team that has the infraction is then on probation and any other incidents will result in the team being dismissed from the league no exceptions & no refunds. 
- As for threats - think before you speak, saying to an umpire
'Next time I won't miss',
I will kick your F*ING ass after the game",
"Hope you get a blowout on your way home"
these are all THREATs so manager be mindful and it is on you to control your players on your team.  Many of the teams have been in the league a long time and you know this is not what anyone wants of the league, so remember the umpires like the players will make mistakes, but everyone is human and trying to get things right and no one deserves to be harassed, threatened or abused over recreational softball.   

32.     DUGOUT AREA & FIELD RULES:

                                                               i.      All teams MUST clean up their team benches when exiting the field after your game is completed.

                                                              ii.      As per townships Police Department no one can park in the walkway near the fields in Veterans Park or areas deemed no parking as those areas are for emergency vehicles only

33.     UMPIRE RESPONSIBILITIES:

                                                                i.      Enforce ALL the league rules as outlined

                                                              ii.      Check all Bats to ensure properly stickered and safe for league play

                                                             iii.      Check the base distances (65 feet), pitching distance (50 feet), put out the home plate extension mat and bases at fields the town does not have bases set.

                                                             iv.      Call a home plate meeting to discuss ground rules (GROUND RULES CAN BE FOUND AT:  https://www.leaguelineup.com/topnews.asp?url=cnj_coed&itemid=2107226)

                                                              v.      Provide a courtesy time limit warning to both teams

                                                             vi.      Report any ejection, forfeit, injury, protest within 24 hours of the incident (must include players info full name and provide a report of the incident)

                                                            vii.      If a player curses at an umpire they will be ejected and suspended (no warning is needed)

                                                          viii.      If a player argues balls and strikes that is grounds for an ejection   

                                                             ix.      In the event an umpire's does not show up (managers should notify the league). The two teams may agree to play the game anyway. Should this be the case, each team must clearly lay out ground rules and be in full agreement of them. Balls and Strikes should be a part of the game.

                                                              x.      If during the game an umpire shows up, the inning in progress shall first be completed before allowing the umpire to assume his/her post.

                                                             xi.      In this case, the captains should get together with the umpire to clarify the ground rules.

                                                            xii.      A team is not at risk of forfeiting a game if it so chooses not to play without an umpire present. If this situation occurs, the game may be rescheduled at either team's option

                                                          xiii.      If an umpire mis-quotes a league rule a team manager/captain can point out the league rule to the umpire in a respectful manner so the call can be made correctly.  If a player does this in a disrespectful manner they are ejected.

34.     INJURIES:

                                                                i.      Softball is a game in which injury occurs and in some cases death.

                                                              ii.      It is a game that each player enters at their own risk.

                                                             iii.      A player struck by a batted or thrown ball is considered a softball play (accident). 

                                                             iv.      All serious injuries need to be reported to the league office by the umpires and team manager as soon as possible. 

                                                              v.      The league is not responsible for injuries to players as a result of a softball play.  

                                                             vi.      League insurance does not cover individual player medical bills because of an injury. 

                                                            vii.      All players are aware they are playing with a risk of being injured by being listed on a team roster.

                                                          viii.      In the event an injury occurs, please notify the league by going on the website: www.centralsportsassociation.com and complete the online injury report under online forms.

35.     TEAM ACCIDENT INSURANCE:

                                                                i.      Is not provided by the league

                                                              ii.      Teams can purchase accidental medical insurance by clicking on this link: https://www.chappellinsurance.com/central-sports-association-chappell-insurance your team deals  directly with the insurance company and will have its own team policy which will cover your team players in the event of an injury.

                                                             iii.      C.S.A. / CNJ Softball are not in the insurance business and offer this as a courtesy to all sanctioned teams.

                                                             iv.      The league highly recommends that teams investigate this policy to protect themselves from injuries that may occur  

36.     GAME RESULTS:

                                                                i.      Winning teams must report game score on the league website (www.cnjsoftballcoed.com) within 48 hours of the game being played

                                                              ii.      It is important to communicate an accurate score since tie-breakers could be based on run differential

                                                             iii.      All teams must enter a game played for each player that played in the game, this will allow teams to see who has played and qualified for the playoffs.  The games played must match the lineup card for that game.  If they are not, then no one will receive credit for playing in that game.

37.     STANDINGS & TIE BREAKERS:

                                                                i.      The league uses a points system (2 points for a win, 1 point for tie and no points for a loss). 

1.        Tie breakers will be as follows:
- Most Points
- Head to Head
- Division Record
- Run Differential
* If tie is not broken by any of the above, we may have a one game playoff or coin flip to determine the seeding

38.     PRIZES: (PRIZES ARE SEASON TO SEASON SPRING SEASON TO FOLLOWING SPRING SEASON, FALL SEASON TO FOLLOWING FALL SEASON) 
All Playoff Champions receives a team trophy & Free Entry for the following Spring or Fall season

39.     PAYMENT POLICY:  

                                                                i.      All league fees are due before first game is played.

                                                              ii.      NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN ONCE LEAGUE PLAY BEGINS.  

                                                             iii.      If a team pays by check and it is returned, they will be charged a $50 fee for bank and processing fees in addition to the balance owed. 

                      iv.      Any team that does not pay the league fee by opening day will be charged a $25 late fee per month and will be subject to pay all legal and collections fees that are incurred by Central Jersey Softball Association, LLC to collect the debt that is owed.