WCSL By-Laws

WCSL
By-Laws

WEST CENTRAL SOFTBALL LEAGUE 2009

I.	LEAGUE NAME

The name of this league is West Central Softball League.

II.	PURPOSE

The Purpose of this league is to organize and play recreational softball.  To teach fundamentals, and good 	sportsmanship, in a manner that promotes healthy competition.

III.	REQUIREMENTS

A.	Eligibility
		1.	8 and Under
			a.	Recommended that age is 6, on or before June 1, 2009.
			b.	Must not be 9 before Jan 2, 2009.

2.	10 and Under
			a.	Must not be 11 before Jan 2, 2009.

3.	12 and Under
			a.	Must not be 13 before Jan 2, 2009.

4.	14 and Under
			a.	Must not be 15 before Jan 2, 2009.

5.	Senior League
			a.	Must not be 19 before Jan 2, 2009.

B.	All towns and teams are entered into the league by invitation and will be determined yearly and will be 				decided on by the General Board.
	C.	Each team must attempt to play all games scheduled.  If a game is cancelled due to bad weather; it is the responsibility of the home team coach to contact the visiting coach within 48 hours of  the cancellation. If this doesn’t occur the visiting coach should contact their General Board Representative. Who will in turn get into contact with the home team General Board Representative. If a resolution cannot be reached, theExecutive Board should be notified and they will set a date. All games not completed by tournament will be 	considered a forfeit to both teams.
	D. 	Each team will turn in a WCSL Team Roster for the current year at the Coaches scheduling meeting.  Each coach must have 3 copies for the Executive Board, 1 copy for the ASA J.O. District Commissioner, and 1 copy for each of the other teams they will compete against.  Failure to do so will Result in the team not being eligible for league play.
	E.	Roster changes after the scheduling meeting must be phoned into the League President prior to a new player being eligible to play. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of game. (Player will be assumed to be an illegal/ineligible player until League President has been notified.)  If eligibility of any player is in question, the President should be contacted immediately after the games.
		ROSTER CHANGE DEADLINE:  2 weeks and 6 days from opening day by 8:00 PM that evening.
 
 
IV.	LEAGUE RULES

A.	Prior to the beginning of the season each team will receive 1 ASA Rule Book, and 1 copy of the WCSL 			By-Laws.
		*Rules not covered in league rules are covered in the current year ASA rulebook.
		**8 and under teams will receive a copy of the ASA rule books.  It‘s use is solely for the purpose as 		a guide to assist coaches in BASIC rules not covered in the WCSL 8 And Under Rules.
		*** ASA RULES DO NOT SUPERCEDE WCSL RULES!!!***
	B.	The registration fee of $55.00 per team must be paid before the season starts.
	C.	Home Team Requirements and Responsibilities
		1.	Must furnish a Plate Umpire.  It is recommended that is someone not related to anyone on the team.  				It is also recommended that they have knowledge of softball rules.  They must wear a facemask 					for all fast-pitch games.
		2.	Must furnish a game ball, optic yellow, .47 core:  11” for 8U and 10U games; and a 12” for 12U, 14U 				and Seniors games.
		3.	Must provide restroom facilities and concessions.  They must also provide free drinks to visiting team 				members.
			* Failure to provide rule 3 above will result in a $20.00 fine for first offense per town.  It will double for 				each offense thereafter (2nd $40, 3rd $80, etc.).  Fine is payable to WCSL.  	First offense money will 				be forwarded to the visiting team’s town.  All other offenses will be split with the WCSL and the 					visiting team’s town.
		4.	Must place appropriate markings on the diamond.  Batter’s box, foul ball lines, pitching circle (8U), 				catcher’s line, runner’s lane (first base), coaches boxes, and outfielders line (15’ from the center of the 			base line.  45’ Hash marks on the 1st and 3rd base lines for 8U.  All markings must conform to ASA 				and WCSL rules.
	D.	Visiting Teams Requirements and Responsibilities
		1.	Furnish Base Umpire.  Recommended that they are a non-relative, but not required.  Recommended 				they have knowledge of the rules.
		2.	Should insure that diamond markings are correct.
	E.	Umpire Requirements and Responsibilities
		1.	Home Plate Umpire has and should control the game.
		2.	The Umpire is empowered to and should call the game at any time due to bad weather, darkness, natural or unnatural catastrophes, or if the fans get out of control.  If the game is called due to rain and five or more innings have been completed; the score of the last complete inning shall determine the outcome of the game.  If it results in a tie, then it shall be declared a tie.
		3.	The umpire is required to give the official scorekeeper the start time of the game.
		4.	Both umpires are responsible for knowing the rules.  What the ASA and WCSL umpire requirements and responsibilities are.
* It is highly recommended that each town send as many people as are interested to Umpiring Clinics that the ASA puts on for the WCSL.
	F.	Conduct Rules
		1.	The use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs is prohibited by anyone involved in the game.
		2.	Everyone involved in the games including spectators are expected to use good conduct and sportsmanship always!  Anyone not doing so should be ejected from the premises.
		3.	Any coach or assistant coach who is ejected from a game will be subject to a $20.00 fine, and suspension pending Executive Board review. If the Executive Board invokes the fine, the coach will be required to pay the fine prior to being eligible to coach again. If the Executive Board determines that the violation that resulted in ejection is a minor infraction, the Coach will be allowed to coach pending the Executive Board Review.  Any Executive Board Member has the authority to suspend any Coach indefinitely if they feel the infraction or violation deems it necessary!
			* Multiple ejections can result in expulsion from the league. *
			** Out of control spectators can and should result in forfeiture of the game. **
		4.	Any town, coach, or player found repeatedly violating ASA or WCSL rules will be subject to fines and/or suspension by the Executive Board.  This includes, but is not limited to illegal bats and ineligible players. No Steel Cleats at any age group

G.	Late Arrivals 
		Late arrivals can be placed at the end of the batting order upon arrival.
	H.	Borrowing Players
If a team cannot field at least 10 of its own rostered  players; any player from a younger age group, and rostered in the WCSL from the same town is eligible to play.  All of your rostered players must play in the field first.  If you cannot field 10 then the borrowed players are eligible to play in the field.  All borrowed players will bat.
	I.	A Team Should Field
		A team should field at least 10 players, but can play with 8. Any number less than 8 will result in forfeiture 			of the game. Short-handed teams will take no outs.
	J.	Line-ups must include last names and uniform numbers for each player.  If necessary first name initial.
		***Coaches make sure this is how you enter it in the scorebook.
	K.	All catchers must wear chest protectors, helmeted facemask, and shin guards.
	L.	All 8U and 10U batting helmets must have chin straps and must be fastened. First violation will result in a warning. Second and repeat violations will result in outs.
		*** Chinstraps are highly recommended, but not required for all other age groups.
	M.	All age groups:  There will be no ties for league standings.  Tie breaker games will be played in the 7th week of the season.  The game or games will be played on a neutral diamond with neutral umpires.  This will be arranged by the Executive Board.
	N.	HELMET FACE MASK - ALL AGES ARE REQUIRED WEAR BATTING HELMETS WITH NOSCAE APPROVED FACE MASKS.

V.	SUBSTITUTION RULES

A.	ALL AGES
		1.	Sub runner, in case of injury, will be the last previous out.
		2.	Free substitution for all fielding positions.

VI.	INJURED PLAYER RULES

A.	ALL AGES
		1.	A player injured during a game who misses an at bat is not considered an out each time her bat comes around. After being injured a player can skip one at bat, if injury occurred prior to her turn at bat or in the batter’s box. If player cannot come to bat the second time then the injured player will be removed from the line-up, and treated like a player leaving early.  An player that has to leave early will not be counted as an OUT. A player injured in the batter’s box will be dismissed and the next batter in the line-up will come to bat with a new count.

VII.	TRAVELING TEAMS

A.	WCSL Definition: A team that has five or more players that play softball outside of WCSL.
		***This does not include High School Softball.
		***This does not include playing in all-star tournaments after our season is over.
		***This does not include playing in any ASA class “C” tournaments.
	B.	Any team that is designated as other than Class “C” by the WCSL Executive Board, can participate in the 			WCSL with the following restrictions:
		1.	They are ineligible for league standings or tournaments.  Any games played against them do not count for or against a teams record.
		2.	They must meet all of the eligibility requirements and follow the By-Laws of the WCSL
	C.	Any town that has or lets a traveling team through them must declare those team as traveling teams.
	D.	Towns that have or allow traveling team to register through them are responsible for those teams.
 
VIII.		8 AND UNDER RULES

A.	Diamond Markings
		1.	Outfielder Line:  A line shall be placed around the back of the infield. This line must be 15’ from the middle of the base path. The base path is a direct line between the bases. The base path is 3 feet wide.
		2.	Pitching Circle:  A pitcher’s circle must be drawn around what would be the pitching rubber for 10U.  On a direct line from home to second base; measure 35’ from the back corner of home plate (equivalent to the front center of 10U pitching rubber), this will be the center point of the pitching circle. Take a string that is 8 feet 3 inches long and tie a nail to each end. Hold the end point of one nail at the 35 foot mark, then extend the string to full length and draw a circle around the 35 foot mark, then chalk the circle. Coaches must pitch from 15ft. Min. from back of home plate.
		3.	Running Lane:  A line is drawn parallel to and three feet from the baseline, starting at a point 					halfway between home plate and first base.
		4.	Hash mark:  A hash mark will be placed at 45’ from home plate on the 1st and 3rd base line.  This 	line will arc through the field from 1st to 3rd base marks. There will be Hash marks placed at the half-way mark between 1st and 2nd , 2nd and 3rd If timeout is called before the runner ( not the lead Runner ) has not crossed the halfway mark to that bag they must go back to the previous bag.
	B.	T-ball bats are legal.
	C.	No balls called; therefore no walks. A strike will be called on every third consecutive pitch that is not swung at by the batter.
	D.	Player Positioning
		1.	Pitchers helper must remain inside pitcher’s circle (see VIII.1.B.) until the ball is hit.
		2.	Outfielders must stay behind the Outfield Line (see VIII.1.A.) until the ball is hit.
		3.	All infield players must play their respective positions with regard to the 45’ hash mark until the ball has been hit. No infielder except the pitchers helper may be on or inside of the pitching circle, (see VIII.1.B.) until the ball is hit.
			*	Any and all violations of this rule will result in a continuing dead ball foul.   The at bat coach will then have the option of taking the result of the play, or the batter being given 	first base, and advancing any runners that would advance as if a walk had occurred. *
		4.	Coach pitchers distance is optional.
	E.	Batting and 10th Batter Rule
		1.	Round Robin batting with a 10 batter limit per inning. If a team is short handed they cannot bat more than the number of players that are present.  No player shall bat more than once per inning.
		2.	A defensive player must have control of the ball and be in front of the lead runner to stop play.  Also, 				this or the third out must be made to end an inning.  Umpire is to call time to prevent a collision.
		3.	If a coach pitcher is hit by batted ball it will be considered a “No Pitch”. Runners cannot advance on a No Pitch.
		4.	Runners cannot leave the base until the ball is hit.  If the runners leave the base before the ball is 	hit, they are out.  Play continues if the ball is hit unless it is the 3rd out.  If it is the 3rd out, the umpire is to call time.
		5.	Batters cannot throw bats.  1st Violation is a team warning.  Next and any following violations of this rule will result in the batter being called out.   Each team gets their own warning.
	F.	Two outfield coaches may be used. Outfield coaches must remain behind deepest outfielder.
	G.	The Pitching Coach must get out of fair territory as soon as possible after a batted ball.  Pitching coaches cannot chase or assist the runner.  Coaches on the field may not interfere in anyway with the current play. 
	H.	Base Coaches are not allowed to assist or touch runners in any way during live play.  Runner should be called out if this occurs.  Does not apply to any injured runners or defensive players.
	I.	Coaches on the field may not interfere with live play in any way.
	J.	No coaches allowed inside the fence except those that the rules allow for.
 
IX.	10U Rules

A.	Round Robin batting with a 10 batter limit per inning. If a team is short handed they cannot bat more than the number of players that are present.  No player shall bat more than once per inning.
	B.	10th batter rule.  If the 10th batter is hit, a dead ball will be called and all runners advance  2 bases.
	C.	Base runner cannot leave the base until the ball crosses the plate.  Runner can steal as many as they can get on each pitch or an overthrow.
	D.	After the pitch, the runner can STEAL HOME !!!!!!!!

X.	Fast Pitch Rules

A.	Ages 10U, 12U, 14U and Senior
		1. 	ASA Fast Pitch Rules apply unless otherwise specified.
		2.	Strike Zone between armpits and knees.
		3.	All players must play 3 defensive innings (Innings in the field)

8U - Round Robin Batting, Complete Game:  7 innings or 5 innings and 21 run lead, Each player must play 3 full innings, NO infield fly rule, pitching distance:  minimum 15’, Base paths are 60’, Defensive players:  10, Time limit:  2 hours and 10th batter rule.

10U - Round Robin Batting, Complete Game:  7 innings or 5 innings and 21 run lead, Each player must play 3 full innings, NO infield fly rule, pitching distance:  35’, Base paths are 60’, Defensive players:  10, Time limit:  2 hours and 10th batter rule.

12U - Round Robin Batting, Complete Game:  7 innings or 5 innings and 15 run lead, Each player must play 3 full innings, NO infield fly rule, pitching distance:  40’, Base paths are 60’, Defensive players:  10, Time limit:  2 hours

14U - Round Robin Batting, Complete Game:  7 innings or 5 innings and 15 run lead or 3 innings and 20 run lead.  Each player must play 3 full innings, NO infield fly rule, pitching distance:  40’, Base paths are 60’, Defensive players:  9, Time limit:  2 hours

Seniors - Round Robin Batting, Complete Game:  7 innings or 5 innings and 15 run lead or 3 innings and 20 run lead. Each player must play 3 full innings, infield fly rule IS in effect, pitching distance:  40’, Base paths are 60’, Defensive players:  9, Time limit:  2 hours.

XI.	TOURNAMENT RULES

A.	TOURNAMENT ELIGIBILITY - Each team is required to provide a tournament roster at the tournament meeting held to check tournament player eligibility. Teams failing to 	provide tourney rosters at the tourney meeting will not be eligible for tourney play.  If you wish to bring up players from a younger WCSL rostered team in your town, you must bring to the meeting, a copy of the Executive Board 	Approved roster from that team.  This roster must have the signature of one of the Executive Board members from that team’s tournament meeting. This applies to teams 10U and up.  Available players rostered on the tournament team must play in the field before any players being moved up.
	B.	All tourneys will be double elimination, unless rainout occurs. In this case, the Executive Board reserves the right to play a single elimination tourney. In the event of rainout, games may be shifted to other sites.

C.  Host towns will furnish the correct softballs for the tournament they are hosting in accordance with the WCSL Rules.
	D.	ASA Umpires are recommended but not required as per WCSL Rules.
	E.	Complete games
		1.	Seven innings
		2.	5 innings and 15 run lead
		3.	No inning will start after 2 hour time limit unless game is tied.
	F.	All seasonal rules apply unless otherwise noted.
	G.	The home plate umpire is in charge of the game. 
	H.	All protests and appeals are made to and decided by the home plate umpire.
	I.	Making  an appeal to the plate umpire on a questionable call.
		1.	Call time. Let the umpire know you are questioning a call. Do it in a nice, friendly fashion.
			a.	If rule books need to be consulted then game time is stopped for up to three minutes.  You have three minutes to find your information in rule book.
			b.	You must still make the appeal before the next legal or illegal pitch.
	J.	Judgment calls are not questionable, therefore, there is no appeal.	
	K.	Any spectator on the field for any reason other than an injury will result in a forfeiture of the game.
	L.	If a player, coach or assistant coach is ejected from a tournament game, they will be ineligible for the 				remainder of the tournament.  Coaches are also subject to seasonal rules for ejection.

NOTE: PLATE UMPIRE HAS FINAL SAY ON YOUR APPEAL OF ANY QUESTIONABLE CALL!!!!!
THEIR DECISION IS FINAL!!!!!

XII.	OFFICERS AND MEETINGS

A.	Calendar year for officers shall be Sept. 1 through Aug. 31.
	B.	No Executive Board Member shall be a representative.
	C.	One town one vote, if a vote results in a tie, the President of the Executive Board will cast the tie breaking vote. Regardless of whether or not all towns are represented at a meeting, the majority rules.
	D.	A vote may not be taken on anything on the night that it is initially discussed at a meeting.  This 					includes but is not limited to rule changes.
	E.	Meetings will be scheduled on an as needed basis.
	F.	The President oversees all aspects of league involvement.
	G.	The Vice President will assume the President’s role if that person cannot.
	H.	The Secretary will be responsible for the minutes of the Executive and General Board meetings. Type and make copies of the by-laws.
	I.	The treasurer will see that all moneys are turned in prior to the season start-up and are responsible for all league receipts and disbursements.
	J.	The General Board will consist of one representative selected from each town to represent them on the board.  Each town will select their own representative. The General Board Shall elect an Executive Board, consisting of President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer. The Executive Board shall only hold that office for a maximum of 2 consecutive years, unless otherwise voted on by the full board.
	
	K.	The Duties of The Executive Board Shall Consist of But Not Be Limited To:
		1.	Rule interpretation
		2.	Validity of protest
		3.	Scheduling of season games and tournament brackets and times.
		4.	Checking rosters at beginning of season, and checking tourney rosters and season scorebooks 					before each tournament.

XIII. 	PENALTIES AND PROTESTS

A.	Voting by phone shall be permitted unless a Board Member requests a meeting, at which time all votes by phone on that subject are null and void. The meeting must be held in a timely matter.
	B.	All protests must include the name and telephone numbers of officiating umpires.
	C.	Tournament games you are allowed to question a call. (See Tournament Rules)
	D.	All protests are to be done in the following manner:
		1.	Protest must be called to any Executive Board member within 24 hours of protested game.
		2. 	Protests must then be written and postmarked within 72 hours of protested game, to any Executive Board Member.
		3. 	Protest must be sent with $50.00 protest fee. If fee is not included with written protest, then that protest shall become invalid.
	E.	The Executive Board shall hold a meeting to decide the validity of any and all protests.
	F. 	Protest fees shall be forfeited in the event that the protest is not up held by the Executive Board.
	G.	Protest fees shall be returned in the event that the protest is upheld by the Executive Board.
	H.	Any town, coach, player, or team member who repeatedly violates WCSL rules or ASA rules are subject to warnings, fines, and/or suspensions as deemed appropriate by the Executive