N O L A S O F T B A L L L E A G U E




2011 RULES OF PLAY

I. General
  • All Rules and Regulations of adult slow-pitch Amateur Softball Association (ASA) apply unless explicitly stated otherwise in these NOLA Softball League (NSL) Rules of Play.
  • Proposed changes may be submitted by anyone in writing to any Manager, Commissioner or Competition Coordinator. Any changes/additions will be addressed at the next Manager’s Council.
  • The Manager’s Council is comprised of all Team Managers and Co-Chaired by the Commissioner and Competition Coordinator. NSL players and non-playing members are always invited and encouraged to attend any meetings of the Managers Council.
  • Managers may appoint any other team member to fulfill any part of their duties at any time.


II. Schedule
  • NSL 2011 Schedule may be altered at any time by a majority vote of the Manager’s Council. Changes that result in additional games and/or additional expenses must also be approved by NSL Board of Trustees.


III. Rosters
  • Final Ratings Rosters are due April 3, 2011, although additional players may be added with full registration/dues submitted up to April 10, 2011. No players may be added to rosters after April 10, 2011
  • Players may transfer to a different team up to April 10, 2011, by submitting their request in writing to both Managers. The new Manager must approve of the player change.


IV. Ratings
  • Any of the 27 player rating questions for any player may be protested by any Manager or player (self). Protests specifying the question(s) challenged must be submitted by email to the Commissioner or Competition Coordinator on or before May 1, 2011.
  • The Manager’s Council will convene with a minimum one week’s notice to hear any protests. A majority of the Managers Council present and the Commissioner must agree on each final player rating.
  • The Commissioner may call a special meeting of the Managers Council to review any player rating in question prior to the GSWS.


V. NAGAAA & GSWS
  • Each Division will have a berth to the GSWS. That berth is determined by a best-of-three-game playoff between the top two divisional teams. If other teams finish within two or less games of 1st place, they may -- by Manager’s request -- be included in the playoff.
  • Home team and/or seed order will be determined by regular season standings. In case of a tie, runs scored minus runs given up will be used.
  • The playoff will be held on week eight and the tournament schedule will be approved by the Manager’s Council in advance.
  • If the team winning the GSWS berth does not accept it, the second place team is awarded the berth. Note: If a team is not planning to go to the GSWS, it should not participate in the playoff tournament.
  • The NSL will pay the GSWS Entry Fee for the both the C and D Division playoff winners.
  • NAGAAA rules and regulations must be adhered to by NSL teams who receive GSWS berths.
  • In order to help with GSWS expenses, each team is required contribute a minimum of $500 in fundraising to the NSL by the date of the playoff tournament.


VI. Games and Equipment
  • Managers must be present and in charge of their team at all times during competition, field set-up, and any team events/functions. If the manager will not be present, he/she must inform the other managers, Commissioner and Competition Coordinator of his/her designated replacement by 9 a.m. on game days or prior to an event.
  • Game time is 50 minutes and will be called by umpires.
  • Ties will be settled by ASA International Tie-Breaker Rules.
  • Line-Up to be submitted to Umpire and opposing Manager/Coach no later than 5 minutes prior to Game Start.
  • Teams may bat up to 11 players, with one being a designated hitter.
  • Batters start with 0-0 count. One courtesy foul is allowed after two strikes.
  • Pitching arc must be between 6 and 12 feet. (ASA = 6-10)
  • Official Ball – Worth YS44RLA3 12” Yellow Cover Cor. 44 375 lb
  • All equipment must comply with ASA and NAGAAA guidelines.
  • The team listed second on the schedule is the Home team.
  • The Home team is responsible for keeping score in the official NSL book.


VII. Field Set Up
  • The home team playing the first game on each field is responsible for ensuring proper field set up, which includes striping of fields and proper base setting. The home team must provide a minimum of four players, beginning no later than 30 minutes prior to game time. Failure to have the field in proper order by game time will result in a forfeit against the home team.
  • The home team playing the last game on each field is responsible for field breakdown and collecting all NSL equipment (home plate, three bases, pitchers stripe, scorebook, catcher’s mask, striping materials, mallet, crowbar, four orange cones, extra balls) into the division bag. The Manager of that team is responsible for delivering that bag by Wednesday to the manager of the home team of following week’s first game of same division. NOTE: If the last game is a scrimmage, the division team for that day’s competition is responsible for field breakdown and bag transfer.


VIII. Rain Outs
  • Rain Outs will be called by the Commissioner and reported on nolasoftball.com and Facebook no later than 9 a.m. on Game Day. All Teams/Managers/Players are responsible for checking the website to find out game status.
  • Some rain outs may be rescheduled if a majority of the Managers Council approves.


IX. Conduct
  • Players are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. No cursing is allowed by players during games. No alcohol is allowed in dugouts or on the fields. PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY IF INTOXICATED AND SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN LINE UPS OR ALLOWED IN DUGOUTS.



These 2011 NSL Rules of Play were finalized and approved unanimously by the Managers Council on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 8 p.m. at John Paul’s in an open meeting.