Kirkland Men’s Slo-Pitch League

Section 1: Rules of Play

1. Regulation Games

A) Innings And Stats

1) A regulation game consists of nine innings.

2) No inning may begin after 1 hour, 45 minutes, and 0 seconds from the scheduled starting time

of the game. An inning begins immediately after the home team makes the last out of the

previous inning.

3) No pitch will be allowed 1 hour and 55 minutes and 1 second past the starting time of the game.

4) Once the game reaches the 1 hour and 45 minute time limit, the visiting team may elect to

complete its current offensive half-inning by forfeiting any remaining outs. No outs will be

recorded and no individual statistics will be affected by the forfeited outs. . (Regular Season Only)

5) Uncompleted Innings

A) If an inning begins and is not finished for any reason before 4 and 1/2 innings are complete, then

the entire game is replayed at a new scheduled time and the game will be played from scratch

and the stats of the uncompleted game will not count.

B) If the 5th inning begins and it is not finished for any reason and the home team is tied or losing

then the entire game is replayed at a later date and the player stats do not count.

C) If the game is called after 4 1/2 completed innings but the home team has not finished its 5th

inning at bats and the home team is ahead, then the score and stats shall stand, and the game is

considered completed and all stats shall count.

D) If the Game is called for any reason during an uncompleted inning at any point after 5

completed innings the game will revert back to the previous inning's score and stats except for the

scenarios listed below

1. If the Home team is losing when the inning starts and at the point of when the game is called

the home team is winning or tied, then the score and stats will stand at the point of when the

game was called.

2. If the Home team is tied when the inning starts and by the time the game is called the home

team is winning, then the score and stats will stand at the point of when the game was called.

3. If the home team was winning when the inning started and is still winning and they are at bat

when the game is called, then all stats shall count as of when the game is called.

B) Mercy Rule

1) If a team is leading by 20 runs or more, at the end of any completed inning after 5 complete

innings, the official game is considered to have ended. This rule is applicable in the regular season

and the playoffs.

2) If a team is leading by 15 runs or more, at the end of any complete inning during or after 7

innings have been completed, the official game is considered to have ended. This rule is applicable

in the regular season but not applicable in the playoffs.

2. Pitching Regulations

Definition 1) - Pitcher - Infielder: The pitcher becomes an infielder when, after releasing the ball towards the

batter, he has a reasonable opportunity to field a batted ball, but he is not considered an infielder on a batted

ball that hits a runner.

A) Pitcher's Box

The pitcher's "box" is 2 feet wide and 4 feet long. The front edge of this box shall be centered on

the direct line from home plate to second base. The pitcher’s Box is laid out with 2 pitching plates,

one starting at 46 feet from the back edge of home plate, and the 2nd pitching plate is 4 feet

behind the first pitching plate and 50 feet from the back edge of home plate.

B) Pitching Net

The pitcher's protective net is always to be used. No exceptions. It is 2 feet wide and 6 feet high.

1) The pitcher is allowed to make defensive fielding plays after the release of the pitch.

2) The pitching net must be placed on the same side as the pitcher's glove hand, and it must cover

half of the pitching plate. The pitching Net can be placed anywhere in front of the pitcher's box to

a maximum distance of 3 feet.

3) Any thrown ball by the defensive team striking the net is in play, any batted ball striking the net

is a dead ball, AND NO CHANGE TO THE COUNT WILL ENSUE.

C) Pitching Mat - Strike Zone

1. A pitching mat (dimensions 26 inches wide x 43 inches deep) will be placed directly behind

home plate. All pitched balls that hit any part of the mat directly (without hitting the ground first)

shall be called a strike. All other pitches that do not hit the mat directly will be called a ball.

D) Pitch Delivery

1) From the start of the pitching motion to the release of the ball from the pitcher, the pitcher

must have one foot completely inside the pitcher's box, failure to do so will result in the pitch

being ruled illegal.

2) The pitch must be delivered with a smooth, continuous underhand motion, releasing the ball

below the waist with moderate speed.

3) Pitches Must have 3 dimensions to be Legal: All 3 points below must occur with every pitch to

be legal.

a) The pitch must have a minimum arc of 3 feet, measured from the pitcher's hand, and this arc

must be achieved before the ball reaches the end of the pitching mat.

b) Pitches must be a minimum of 6 feet from the ground.

c) Pitches cannot exceed 12 feet from the Ground.

4) The pitcher must deliver the ball within 10 seconds of the umpire calling "playball". If the pitcher

fails to deliver the ball within the prescribed time limit, the batter shall be awarded a walk.

E) Illegal Pitch

If, in the umpire's judgment, a pitcher deliberately throws a pitch that does not meet the three

legal requirements (arc, minimum height, and maximum height), a warning may be issued. Each

pitcher is allowed a maximum of two warnings per game. Warnings do not reset if the pitcher

leaves and later returns to pitch. The pitcher may return to pitch in a later inning; however, no

warnings remain, and any subsequent illegal pitch will result in immediate removal from the

pitching position. Poor execution alone does not constitute an intentional illegal pitch, and the

umpire must be confident that the pitcher deliberately delivered an illegal pitch before issuing a

warning.

NOTE : Failure to comply with the pitching position or pitching-net requirements will result in an

illegal pitch. These violations do not count toward the pitcher’s two warnings which apply only to

deliberate violations of the pitch arc and height requirements

3. Batting Regulations

Definition 1: A fair ball is a batted ball that settles on fair territory between home and first base or home and

third base, or that bounds over or past first or third base in fair territory, or that touches first, second, or third

base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory,

touches the person of an umpire or player.

Definition 2: A foul ball is a batted ball that settles on foul territory between home and first base or home and

third base, or that bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or that first falls on foul territory

beyond first or third base, or that, while on or over foul territory, touches the person of an umpire or player, or

any object foreign to the natural ground.

Definition 3: A ball hit out of play is a batted ball that leaves the designated playing area, goes into dead-ball

territory (such as into stands, dugouts, or over/through a boundary fence), or passes beyond the home run

boundary, resulting in the ball becoming immediately dead and base awards being determined according to

the rules.

Definition 4: - Batter's Box: Is the area within which the batter takes his position when it is his turn to bat.

Definition 5: - Batter-Runner: As soon as a batter's bat makes contact with the ball, he becomes a batter-

runner.

Definition 6: - Illegally Batted Ball: Is one batted fair or foul by the batter when either one or both feet are in

contact with the ground COMPLETELY outside the lines of the batter's box.

A) Batting Order

Each player on the team at bat shall become the batter in the order in which his name appears on

the score sheet.

NOTE: Batting out of order is an appeal play, by the defense.

1) If an incorrect batter is discovered before he completes his turn at bat, the correct batter may

take his place, assuming any accumulated balls and strikes.

2) If the mistake is discovered after the incorrect batter has completed his turn at bat, and before a

pitch is made to the next batter, the batter who should have batted is called out. All base runners

must resume their positions prior to the incorrect batter coming to the plate.

3) If the mistake is not discovered until a pitch is made to the next batter, the turn at bat of the

incorrect batter is then legal. No one is called out for failure to bat and players missing their turn at

bat have lost that turn and do not bat again until reached in the regular batter rotation.

4) If a batter is absent for their turn at bat and hasn't been ruled out of the game, it counts as an

automatic out, and the next batter will come up to hit. If the same batter misses a second

consecutive turn at bat, they will be ruled out of the game and there is no out for the 2nd missed

at bat.

B) Bunting

Bunting is not allowed. A batter who attempts to bunt is out, the ball is dead, and other runners

may not advance.

C) Batting Outcomes

1) A batter is considered to have struck out if the count against him reaches three strikes, including

foul balls. A foul ball is only considered foul if the ball hits the ground in foul territory or if it hits

any structure of the field (Fence, Pitchers Mat, Tree's) that is in foul territory. A caught fly ball in

foul territory even with 2 strikes is a ball in play and the catch counts as an out and baserunners

may advance at their own risk.

2) Hitting a foul ball that on a "third" strike, is an out, the ball is dead, and runners may not

advance. Catching the ball in the air in foul territory is not a foul ball, because of the catch the ball

is live and in play.

3) Foul balls to the catcher: A ball hit behind the plate is either a "foul ball" (above the batter's

head) or a "foul tip" (below the batter's head). A foul tip is a batted ball which goes directly from

the bat, not higher than the batter's head, to the catcher's hands and is legally caught, and any

foul tip that is caught is a strike (not an "out" unless it is a third strike). If the ball is hit above the

batter's head and caught by the catcher in foul territory, the batter shall be called out.

4) A batter who hits a ball that hits the ground first shall be called a dead ball, and the count is

increased by 1 ball.

5) If an illegal pitch is called by the umpire and the batter chooses to hit the ball, the batted ball

will not count, and the batter will be awarded a ball instead.

D) Batter's Box

There is no visible batter's box on the playing field, therefore the batter is allowed to stand where

he wants before the pitch as long as it is within reason. The appropriate distance is 3 feet before

the plate and 4 feet after the plate. A bat can be used to measure the distance; however, this is

only an approximate.

1) The batter must stand with both feet inside the batter's box (within reason as the size of the

batter's box is stipulated above, when he makes contact with the ball.

2) When the ball is hit, any part of the batter's foot that is touching the ground must not be

completely outside the batter's box, except for the front foot, which may touch home plate. If

either foot touches the pitching mat, or if the back foot touches home plate, the batter is out.

Effect: The ball is dead, the batter is out, and baserunners may not advance.

E) Catcher Obstruction

If the catcher obstructs the batter on the batter's backswing no pitch is called, and the play is

called dead no runner may advance and Time is called.

If the obstruction is on the downswing part of the swing which prevents him from striking at a

pitched ball, he will be awarded first base except if the batter succeeds in hitting the pitch and

reaches first safely, and no runner is put out before advancing at least one base. In this case, the

obstruction should not be called or enforced. If the obstruction is not enforced, the ball remains in

play.

4. Baserunning

Definition 1) - Base Path: Is an imaginary line three feet to either side of a direct line between two bases. An

established base path is an imaginary line in a direct line from the runner to the base in which he is advancing.

The base path becomes established when the fielder receives the ball and begins his attempt to tag the

runner.

Definition 2) - Three Foot Line: Is the designated running area at the latter half of the home plate to the first

base path, that a batter-base runner must run in so as not to be called out for interfering with the first

baseman's ability to receive a throw. Is also the line in which an offensive player has the right to take if it

avoids a collision with a defensive player who is not making a play on the ball. If the defensive player has the

ball in his hands and is ready to make a tag, the offensive player should give himself up or retreat back to the

previous base if it is unoccupied.

Definition 3) - Commit Line: Is a line drawn perpendicular to the 3rd base line in foul territory 20 feet before

reaching home plate from 3rd. Crossing a Line - a runner crosses either the "COMMIT" or "SAFETY" line once his

foot touches or lands past the line in question.

Definition 4) - Safety Line: Is a line drawn parallel to the first baseline, from the front left corner (the corner

closest to third base) to the backstop.

Definition 5) - Catch (legal): Is the act of the fielder receiving the ball, in flight, and having it securely in his

possession, in his hand or glove. To establish the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long

enough so that the umpire is convinced that he had complete control of the ball himself, and any release of

the ball by him was voluntary and intentional. Dropping the ball while attempting to throw it shall not

invalidate the catch.

Definition 6) - Legal Touch: Occurs when a fielder, who is securely holding the ball in his hand, touches the

runner or batter-runner that is not touching a base. The fielder may touch the runner with the hand or glove in

which the ball is securely held. It is not considered securely held if the ball is dropped or juggled by the fielder

after having touched the runner, unless the runner intentionally knocks the ball from the hand of the fielder.

Definition 7) - Fair Territory: Is that part of the playing area within and including the first and third base foul

lines, from home plate to the bottom of the extreme playing area fence and then extending perpendicularly

upwards. (Home plate is in fair territory)

Definition 8) - Foul Territory: Is the part of the field which is the fair line on each side of first and third and is

between the foul line that runs all the way down from the outer fence.

Definition 9) - Fair Ball: Is a batted ball that settles on fair territory between home plate and first base or home

plate and third base, or that is on or over fair territory, including any part of first or third bases when bounding

to the outfield, or that first touches any base, or that touches a player or umpire over fair territory, or which

first touches the ground or an object in fair territory, or over fair territory, beyond first and third bases, or that

while over and above fair territory passes out of the playing field i.e., over and beyond the outside fence.

Definition 10) - Foul Ball: Is any batted ball that stops or settles in foul territory without first being touched in

fair territory, or which is first touched in foul territory, or that first touches some out-of-play object, or an area

in foul territory, or that first touches foul ground beyond first or third base. Batted balls that hit the pitching

mat are considered automatic foul balls, regardless of where the ball ends up after hitting the mat. Note: If a

ball is hit and a defensive player tries to catch the ball in the air and the ball hits any part of the fielder without

being caught, the ball is called fair or foul depending on where the ball is first contacted regardless of where

the fielder is standing. If the ball was first contacted by the fielder when the ball was in foul territory, then it is

called a foul ball. A foul or fair ball is determined by the location of the ball when it is first touched by a fielder

and not where the player is standing.

Definition 11) - Force Out: Occurs when a base runner is forced to advance to the next base due to the batter

becoming a base runner. If the base runner (on or off the base) is tagged by a fielder with the ball or a fielder

holds the ball on the base to which the base runner is forced to advance before the runner can reach that

base and before any succeeding runner is put out, that base runner is forced out.

Definition 12) - Infield Fly: Infield fly is in effect when there are runners on first and second or when the bases

are loaded and there are less than 2 outs. In these 2 situations if a ball is hit in the air in the infield and a

defensive player has an opportunity to catch the fly ball, the infield fly rule may come into effect. An Infield fly

is an umpire's JUDGMENT call, NOT subject to appeal or dispute, and NOT automatic. On an infield fly, the

umpire must judge whether the ball could have been caught by an infielder with ordinary effort - not by some

arbitrary limitation such as grass, or the baselines. The umpire must also rule that the ball is an infield fly, even

if handled by an outfielder, if in the umpire's judgment the ball could have been as easily handled by an

infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire's judgment must govern,

and the decision should be made immediately, for the sake of the runners, with the ball in the air. Note: If a

batted ball is to be declared an infield fly, the umpire shall call: "INFIELD FLY, IF FAIR, BATTER IS OUT," for the

benefit of the runners. Failure to make such a call does not preclude the batted ball from being an infield fly.

The ball is alive and if runners advance, they do so at their own risk and are in jeopardy if the ball is caught.

The ruling is the same as another caught or dropped fly ball. A foul ball is not an infield fly and, if the ball falls

untouched to the ground and subsequently rolls into foul territory before first and third bases, it is simply a

foul ball.

A) Safety Bag (1st base)

The "safety bag" is orange and attached to the regular first base but lies completely in foul

territory.

1) The batter-runner must touch only the safety bag if a play is being made at first base. Failing to

do so constitutes an out.

2) The fielder must touch some portion of the base in fair territory in all cases. If the fielder uses

only the safety base for the out, the runner is safe.

3) The batter-runner may touch either bag at 1st base if no play is being made on him or his

intention was to carry on to 2nd base.

B) Batter-Runner Out

A batter-Runner is out under the following circumstances:

1) When the batter is directly hit with a batted ball in fair territory outside of the batter's box.

2) When the batter's bat is hit by his own batted ball in fair territory outside the batter's box.

3) A batter is out if a fly ball is legally caught by any player. This includes a fly ball in playable

territory (fair or foul within the playable lines). If a batter has 2 strikes and hits a fly ball into foul

territory, and the defensive player catches the fly out, this is not considered a strike out. This is a fly

out and baserunners may advance on a tag play.

4) When, after a fair ball is hit, the batter-runner is touched with the ball by a fielder who has

control of the ball:

A) While running to first base or after reaching a base safely, or

B) While being off a base and in the field of play.

5) As soon as the batter-runner touches home plate in any circumstance when coming home from

a batted ball, he shall be called out.

6) In the case where the infield fly rule is not in effect, If there are less than 2 outs and minimum

one base runner is in a force out position and an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line

drive by touching the ball and then dropping it. In this situation, the ball is dead, the batter is out,

and the runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases. This applies only if he

touched the ball and intentionally made it fall to the ground and the infield fly rule was not in

effect.

C) Base Runners Are Out Under The Following Circumstances

1) Runner Leaving his base before a ball is batted

A) Batter Made No Contact with A pitched Ball, (Swing Or No Swing)

i) Base runners must maintain contact with their respective bases from the moment the pitch is

delivered until the catcher touches the ball on balls that the batter did not swing or make contact

by swinging at a pitched ball.

Clarification: A baserunner who leaves his bag to pick up a ball or to stretch before a pitch is not

considered off his bag and the umpire must understand the rule's intent is to stop baserunners

from leaving their bag before a ball is hit and anything else should not have a base runner being

called out.

B) Batter Made Contact with a Pitched Ball

1) If a runner leaves the base before the batter makes contact with the ball then the base runner

shall be called out. If the runner leaves the bag after the Batter makes contact fair or foul, the

runner is not out.

2) If the batter makes contact with the ball after the runner has left his base and the ball is foul,

then the baserunner shall be called out and a strike is given to the batter.

3) If the batter makes contact with the ball after the runner has left his base and the ball is fair,

regardless of the outcome of the hit, then the baserunner shall be called out and the pitch is

nullified and the count returns to what it was before the pitch.

4) When a baserunner is struck by a fair batted ball WHILE OFF HIS BASE before the ball touches

any infielder or passes by an infielder excluding the pitcher.

Effect: The baserunner is out and the batter is awarded a single. All other baserunners advance one

base if it is forced. If it is not forced, then the baserunner stays at the base he occupied before the

pitch.

Note 1: If the base runner is struck by a batted ball that is in fair territory and he is standing on his

base, then the ball is live as if the ball struck the base.

Note 2: If the ball is touched by an infielder or passes by an infielder and then strikes the runner,

the runner is not out and the ball is live and in play.

5) When a base runner intentionally kicks a live ball, or intentionally interferes with a ball in play,

whether or not the runner is in contact with his base.

6) When a coach physically holds or pushes a runner, to assist him to return or leave a base.

7) When a baserunner who has been put out, continues to run the bases, thus simulating a live

base runner, and thereby draws a throw to retire him a second time.

Effect: The ball is dead immediately and the base runner is out. Other runners must return to the

last legally touched base at the time of catch, or before the above-described action.

8) When, while the ball is in play, a base runner is legally touched with the ball by a defensive

player while off the base.

9) When, on a force out, a fielder tags him with the ball (while on or off a base) or holds the ball on

the base to which the base runner is forced to advance before the base runner can reach that

base.

10) When running toward any base, he runs more than three feet from the established base path,

to avoid being tagged with the ball in the hands of the fielder. A runner is permitted to run 3 feet

off his baseline only to avoid contact with a fielder not to avoid a tag.

11) When a base runner PASSES a preceding runner before that runner has been put out.

Effect: viii - x: The ball remains alive and in play with all other base runners in jeopardy.

12) When a base runner leaves his base to advance to another base before a caught fly ball has

touched by a fielder, the runner is out if the defensive team either:

A) Tags the runner before he manages to get back to his original base, or

B) Touches the base he originally occupied before he can return to it.

Note: When a runner leaves a base too soon on a caught fly ball, this is treated as an appeal play

rather than a force out:

Scoring on the Third Out: If this appeal results in the third out, all runs scored before the legal

appeal was made will count, while any runs scored after the appeal play will not count.

Timing of the Appeal: The timing of the appeal determines whether runs count. Naturally, if the

appeal is successfully made on a runner who is called out, that specific runner's run will not count.

13) When a base runner fails to touch an intervening base or bases, (including awarded bases) in

regular or reverse order, while the ball is in play, and the ball is held legally on the missed base, or

the runner is legally touched with the ball, while off the base.

Effect: (xi-xii): These are appeal plays and the defensive team loses its right to make an appeal on

any of these situations if the appeal is not made known before the next legal pitch, intentional

walk, illegal pitcher action or before all fielders have left fair territory.

14) The runner touches or lands across the "COMMIT" line towards home and then returns towards

3rd base, crossing the "COMMIT" line in the opposite direction.

15) The runner is tagged by a defensive before or after touching or landing across the ‘COMMIT’ line

between third and home plate.

D) Interference & Obstruction & Bodily Contact

Definition 1) - Interference:

a) Is an act of players or others who interfere with a player's opportunity to execute a play.

b) When a player interferes with, or impedes, or confuses a defensive player while he is attempting to make a

play, by either physical or vocal actions.

c) Spectator Interference - when a spectator interferes with a defensive player's ability to make a play.

Definition 2) - Obstruction: Is an act of a fielder, while not in possession of the ball, or not in the act of fielding a

batted ball or taking a proper position to receive a thrown ball (the thrown ball must already be in flight)

which impedes the process of a runner who is legally running the bases. The obstruction does not have to be

intentional. Obstruction also includes the act of a defensive player who hinders the batter's ability to swing.

Disclaimer:

At no time should any player intentionally make contact with another player. This applies to both

runners and fielders while still adhering to the rules of obstruction and interference.

Players may be suspended if contact is determined to be avoidable even if they have the right to

the base path.

All instances in body contact and collisions should be avoided at all cost. For the purposes of a

rule, the following shall apply:

A) A defensive player fielding a batted ball has the right of way. A runner interfering shall be called

out.

Effect: The ball is dead, and the batter is awarded first base unless the umpire believes that both

the runner and the batter would have been out if the fielder had fielded the ball without

interference.

B) If a runner’s path is blocked, the baserunner has a responsibility to avoid a collision. If the

defensive player has possession of the ball, the runner must remain within their baseline and not

make contact with the fielder if the fielder is attempting to tag the runner with the ball. The

runner should either give themselves up, go back to a free base or slide into a base. The

baserunner is not permitted to go outside his direct path to the next base if the fielder has the ball

and is in his direct path. The 3 foot line that permits a runner to go outside his base path is only to

avoid contact not to avoid a tag.. Any attempt to jar the ball loose from the fielder will result in the

runner being called out and possibly being ejected from the game.

C) Interference occurs when a runner does not make a concerted effort to avoid a defensive player

who is

1) attempting to field a batted ball,

2) attempting to catch a thrown ball,

3) attempting to throw a ball

In the 3 scenario’s listed above, If the umpire determines that a runner is intentionally trying to

remain within the base path after being called out, with the aim of hindering a defensive player

from making an out on another runner. In this situation the runner will be called out and may

award more outs if he feels that without the runners interference more outs could have been

made.

Note : A runner is only out when the defensive player has secured control of the ball in their glove

and has touched either the base or the runner.

The responsibility of the runner to remove themselves from the baseline only happens when their

out is secure and not before. The mere anticipation that an out might occur does not constitute

securing an out; a runner may stay in the baseline until they are securely called out.

4) or when the runner does not make a concerted effort to avoid contact, by diverting from the

base path away from the play, or sliding, on plays to second or third base.

D) Obstruction occurs when

1) If a defensive player without the ball or not in the immediate act of fielding, catching, or

throwing is positioned in the runner's baseline, they must avoid contact and move out of the way.

Once the ball passes the furthest infielder, the runner has the right to their baseline, though they

must still attempt to avoid contact. Even with the right to the baseline, the runner should try to go

around the fielder; if the runner has to alter their path to avoid contact, the umpire may rule

obstruction and award the runner an extra base.

E) Blocking The Base

1) A defensive player, without the ball, must not intentionally block access to a base and may be

called for obstruction if he impedes a runner from getting to a base because of his blocking the

base.

2) If the defensive player does not have the ball then the runner must be given the ability to slide

into the base when the fielder is in the act of making a play (catching, fielding, or throwing the

ball).

F) Appeals

When an appeal play is upheld, the following shall apply:

1) An Appeal play only affects the runner who is being appealed.

2) If, on an appeal, a preceding runner is the THIRD OUT, no following runner shall be allowed to

score.

3) If, an appeal out is the THIRD OUT, and is the result of a force out, neither the preceding or

following runners shall score.

4) If the appeal out is the third out and is the result of the base runner not touching first base,

preceding runners shall not score because this is a forced out.

5) On any appealed play or timing play that is not a forced out, all runners who scored before the

runner being appealed out will count, even if the appeal out is the 3rd out. All runners who score

after the appeal out will not count.

6) Here is a list of plays that are Appealable:

a) Batting out of order

b) Base Runner misses touching a base or left his base too early before a fly ball was caught.

G) Base Stealing

Stealing is not allowed in any circumstance.

H) Two Runners Occupying The Same Base

Two runners may not occupy the same base simultaneously. The runner who first occupied the

base is entitled to it, unless forced to advance. The other runner(s) may be put out by being

touched with the ball.

I) Overrunning First Base

Once the runner reaches first base safely, he is considered to be in the field of play if at least one

foot is fully over the first baseline. Merely having part of his foot on the line does not count as

being in play. A fully over-the-line foot indicates that he is in play and is subject to being tagged

out. However, if the first baseman requires the runner to touch the white bag rather than the

safety bag, the umpire must decide whether the runner was genuinely attempting to advance to

second base or was merely forced into the field of play by the first baseman's positioning while

trying to catch the ball. If the runner had no choice but to step into the field of play to avoid

contact, this is not considered an attempt to advance to the next base.

J) Safety Line & Commit Line Rule

1) Pursuant to the KMSPL's attempts to ensure the safety of its players, a "SAFETY "line and a

COMMIT line will be continuously in effect, independent of field conditions, for all KMSPL games.

This means there is a force play at the plate under all circumstances; however the offensive player

must touch or land across a "SAFETY" line rather than touch home plate to score.

2) The runner is to be declared SAFE at home when, in the judgment of the umpires:

a) Any part of the runner's body touches the ground on or across the safety line before any

defensive player controlling the ball touches the plate with any part of his body or touches the

runner with the ball.

K) Bases

The distance between each base is 65 feet

5. Defensive Positioning

Defensive Positions During an Inning

Once an inning has started, no player may switch defensive positions with another player or

position himself in a manner that alters the established order of the

defensive positions.

Specifically:

1) No player may switch positions with, assume the position of, or insert himself between the first

baseman and the second baseman.

2) No player may switch positions with, assume the position of, or insert himself between the

shortstop and the third baseman.

3) No player may switch positions with, assume the position of, or insert himself between the

Rover and the shortstop.

4) No player may switch positions with, assume the position of, or insert himself between the left

fielder and the left-center fielder.

5) No player may switch positions with, assume the position of, or insert himself between the

right-center fielder and the right fielder.

6) No player may switch positions with or assume the position of the catcher.

Any defensive player may move anywhere on the field, provided he does not dislodge another

defensive player from his assigned position or otherwise alter the established order of the

defensive positions.

Defensive positions may be changed only for the following

1) A pitching change which could alter many other positions in the process

2) A player is injured or ill which could alter many other positions in the process

6. Ball Out Of Play / Dead Ball

Definition 1) - Live Ball: Is a ball that is alive and playable and remains so until for some reason the umpire is

required to call TIME, at which time the ball becomes dead and is not playable.

Definition 2) - Out of Play Territory: Is the part of the field that is outside of the foul line, or inside or above the

dugouts or through an opening of a fence or are branches that hang over from a tree that is located outside

the foul line.

Definition 3) - Dugout: An overthrown ball is considered "in the dugout" and is immediately dead when it rolls

into the dugout on the ground, touches an offensive player who is in the dugout, or hits the permanent fence

directly upwards above either dugout.

Definition 4) - Overthrow: Is a ball thrown from one fielder toward another and, for whatever reason, goes into

out of play territory.

A) Dead Ball Instances

1) The play is dead, after the result of a batted ball where the base runners have stopped advancing

(a continuous forward motion towards the next base) and the pitcher has the ball within his

pitcher's box. If a baserunner attempts to advance after a pitcher has possession of the ball in his

pitcher's box, the runners shall be asked to go back to their original bases.

2) The ball is not in play outside the established limits of the playing field (OUTSIDE OF FOUL

TERRITORY).

3) The ball is not in play after a ball, or a strike is called (including a 4th ball or a 3rd strike).

4) If a batted ball hits the pitching mat and rolls into fair territory. This is an automatic foul ball,

and the Ball is considered out of play.

5) Calling "TIME" by an umpire is the act of an umpire making the play dead. The following shall

apply when calling "TIME":

6) When a legally hit fair ball bounces out of the playing area, the ball is dead, and all base runners

are awarded 2 bases from the base they occupied at the time of the pitch. This includes a ball

which bounces out of play after contacting a fielder attempting to make a play.

7) When a fielder intentionally causes a legally batted ball to leave the playing area which he does

not possess, the umpire shall award all runners a minimum of three bases.

8) Should a batted ball get trapped under the outfield fence then the fielder must raise his hand

and not touch the ball and wait for the umpire to make a ruling on the ball. If the umpire deems it

was playable then a homerun shall be awarded, If the Umpire does not feel it was playable then a

double shall be called.

9) Should the batted ball get trapped in the protective net above the fence in the outfield, it will

be ruled a ground rule double.

NOTE: Ball in play means the offensive team can still advance bases and the defensive team can

still attempt to get outs. Ball out of play means it's a dead ball and no runners can advance, or no

defensive play can be made to get outs.

B) Balls Thrown Out Of Play

When a fielded ball is overthrown out of the playing area by either:

1) Entering the dugout as defined in Dugout Definition

2) Leaving the field through the "On Deck" entrance

3) Crossing any out of bounds line or fence

Under the 3 scenarios listed above, a ball thrown from one fielder toward another and for

whatever reason, goes into "out of play territory". If this occurs, all baserunners will be awarded

two bases from the last base touched at time of the throw (when it left the fielder's hand).

Note: The only exception is if there is a situation where 2 runners would occupy the same base

after the 2 bases have been rewarded. If this is the case, then the lead runner would be awarded 2

bases and the runner behind him would be awarded 1 base.

7. Ball In Play

A) A ball starts to be in play when the pitcher begins his pitching motion, if his pitch hits the

ground or the pitching mat without the batter hitting the ball, the play is dead and the play starts

again with the next pitch.

B) When a batted ball is hit in fair territory

C) When the ball is caught in the air in foul territory with both of the players feet touching the

ground in foul territory regardless of where the ball is when he catches it.

D) When a fielder has possession of the ball and carries the ball with him out of the playing area

into out of play territory, the ball is live, and play should continue.

8. Injuries - Missed At Bat - Pinch Runner

A) Injury - The Following shall apply when a player is injured during a game:

1) A player who misses a turn at bat due to illness or injury will be recorded as an automatic out. If

the player is unable to bat a second time, they must be removed from the game, and the second

missed at bat will not count as an automatic out.

2) A fielder who leaves the game due to illness or injury may return and is allowed to miss one turn

at bat, which will count as an automatic out. If the player must miss a second turn at bat (which

will not be counted as an automatic out) or cannot return to a defensive position in the following

inning of his removal from the field, resulting in the team violating the rule that no player may sit a

second time before all others have sat once, then the player must leave the game. If the injured

player is unable to play defensively in the following inning but the team remains in compliance

with the sit-out rule, the player may continue participating, and that inning will count as his sit.

3) Should a base runner be injured at any time during his running the bases, he may temporarily

come out of the game and be replaced by a pinch runner once play has stopped and "TIME" has

been called. The replacement runner must be the previous last out. A pinch runner will only be

allowed to pinch run for the injured player for that one specific tour around the bases, and if the

replaced player becomes injured a second time, he may ask for another replacement runner, but

he MUST leave the game at that point.

4) Pinch runners may ONLY advance one base and it must be on a batted ball or a walk. Pinch

Runners may advance more than 1 base only apart from:

a) any throwing attempt made on a runner resulting in the ball going out of play, at which point

the normal rules of play governing balls thrown out of bounds should be administered

b) any ball goes out of play caused by a ground rule double

c) any ball batted over a fence in fair territory.

NOTE: Should the pinch runner advance more than one base on a batted ball other than what is

listed above (a,b,c), then he shall be called out and all other runners can only advance one base if

they have achieved that 1 base already.

9. Holleufer Park Ground Rules

A) Fence Rule

2.1 Any ball hit over a fence between the left field light post and the right field line is a home run.

2.2 If a ball is hit over the fence to the left of the left field light post:

a) First occurrence in a game by a player is a Double

b) Second occurrence in a game by a player is a Triple

c) Third and every occurrence after in a game by a player is a Homerun

2.3 In right field, to the right of the right field light post, if a ball hits the netting:

a) First occurrence in a game by a player is a Double

b) Second occurrence in a game by a player is a Triple

c) Third and every occurrence after in a game by a player is a Homerun

NOTE: An occurrence is only when the ball goes over the fence from the left-center field light post

to the left, or when the ball hits the netting from the right field light post to the right field line for

each player.

Section 2: League Operations

1. Equipment

A) Sweaters

All players (excluding spares) must always wear the official team sweaters. If a Player loses his

sweater, then he must order a new one at his own cost.

B) Bats

1) All bats must have USSSA markings on it. The League must approve all bats by placing a KMSPL

sticker on the bat. Any bat without a sticker MUST NOT be used. The league still has the right to

remove said bat if it is deemed dangerous. All personal bats used do not have to be shared. All

league bats must be located on the side of the home team for the entire game.

In addition, Any player aged 70 years or older is permitted to use a Senior Bat. All current

applicable rules governing bats apply to Senior Bats. The player who brings a Senior Bat is

responsible for its use, including if other players use it. If a Senior Bat is used by players other than

the one who brought it, the responsible player may be subject to suspension. Senior Bats are

identified by a 1.21 performance marking. The EXEC will add red paint on the butt of the bat to

mark it as a senior bat.

C) Shoes

Players are not allowed to use shoes with metal soles and/or heel plates. Metal or screw-on metal

cleats are not allowed.

D) Gloves

All gloves designed for baseball may be worn by any player at any position.

E) Balls

Each game shall start using a new ball provided by the home team.

F) Bases

The Bases will be supplied by the City of Kirkland and will be placed by the City as well.

G) Pitching Net

League will supply a pitching net

H) Pitching Mat

League will supply a pitching mat

I) Field Setup Responsibilities

The home team of the first game of the day shall be responsible for bringing out and setting up

the equipment on the field. The Home team of the last game of the day shall be responsible for

putting away the equipment that is on the field.

2. Ratings Committee

The ratings committee will be chosen and mandated by the Executive. Their responsibility is to

rate all players before the draft, all spares during the season and a final playoff rating for both

regulars and spares.

3. Discipline Committee

Objective: To review all "incidents" brought forth to the Committee, by the executive in a timely

manner. All verdicts should be done with a sense of fairness, calmness, and without prejudice in

order to preserve the overall KMSPL objective.

A) Members

1) 4 League Members chosen by the Exec

2) The Umpire in Chief Executive Member shall act as the Sponsor of the Committee and as such

will only vote in the case of a tie.

3) One selected league member chosen by the Executive shall act as Chairman of this Committee

and will be responsible for calling meetings when necessary and advising the executive of any

disciplinary action.

4) Quorum will be reached when three of the above are present.

5) The Executive must turn over ALL matters to the discipline committee for review, follow-up, and

disciplinary recommendation as required. These matters can be incidents on the field or off the

field and can be for conduct unbecoming a League member(s) that hinders, hurts, or does not

benefit the overall betterment of the League or its objectives.

B) Guidelines

Basic Guidelines for the Discipline Committee (Please refer to the Incident Guidelines official

document as adopted on November 9th, 2009)

C) Three Strike Rule Definition:

After 3 disciplinary incidents with any KMSPL member, at the recommendation of the Discipline

Committee and the Executive combined will be expelled from the League. What constitutes a

Strike? A strike is any additional suspension, beyond the automatic 1 game suspension from the

League, for conduct unbecoming, or an act that risks injury to another member of the league. A

strike is also any written warning to a member, from the executive, for conduct unbecoming that

does not warrant a suspension. How will the 3 Strike Rule be administered? When a player is given

a strike, it will be communicated to the player and his coach by the executive in a timely manner

by phone and followed up in writing. A copy will be placed on file with the executive. If a player

reaches Strike 2, a warning letter will be sent to the player, copied to the coach, and a copy will be

placed on file with the executive. The player will be warned that he is playing with zero tolerance.

Repeat offenders (extreme cases) may be sent a letter stating that they will be starting the next

season with zero tolerance. That is to say that the player will commence the upcoming season

starting at Strike 2. A copy of this letter will remain on file with the executive. It is also important

to understand that all suspensions may result with the player losing his "member in good status"

record. When a player is called out on the 3 Strike rule, he will be informed by phone, and followed

up with a letter from the Executive. All outstanding money will be reimbursed to that player in a

timely manner.

D) Breaking The Park Curfew

Any member of the KMSPL reported in writing by Kirkland Public Security or by the Executive as

being at the park after the official park curfew of 11:30 P.M. will be issued the following penalties

and suspensions in accordance with the 3 Strike rule:

(i) 1st offense - Strike 1, and 1 game

(ii) 2nd offense - Strike 2, and 3 games

(iii) 3rd offense - Strike 3 (Player will be expelled for life from playing in the KMSPL)

4. Player Conduct

A) Only a coach or his designated player can speak with the umpires in case of a disputed call.

B) The following are grounds for ejection from a game:

1) Profane or abusive language

2) Visible displays of temper (throwing objects)

3) Intentional and violent collision with an opposing player

4) Fighting

5) Continued arguing over an umpire's judgment call

C) All ejections will result in an automatic game suspension for that player's next game and will

also result in a review by the executive committee for possible further disciplinary action.

Note: Umpires are also subject to review and their behavior during a game can also come into

question and can result in a suspension as well.

D) Continued harassment of umpires, opposing players or bystanders after an ejection will result in

additional disciplinary action.

E) Smoking is not permitted within the field of play, dugouts or anywhere within the area that is

determined to be the field of play. This applies to all players from any team at any time or anyone

who is umpiring.

5. Player Safety

Any player who has had a heart attack, stroke, or concussion will not be permitted to return to

active play without written permission from a physician.

6. Scorekeeping

A) Stats Keeping

1) Should the home team score enough runs in the last inning of a game to win the game, only

those runs necessary to win the game will be counted. The batter in question will be credited with

a "single "and as many R.B.I.s as necessary to win the game.

2) Individual stats from a game which is called by default will be counted to the last complete half

inning, provided that the visiting team has completed five innings. Otherwise, the teams will be

credited with a win and a loss respectively but no individual stats will be counted.

B) Standings

1) Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win,

2) Teams will be awarded 1 point for a tie

3) Teams will have points deducted in the standings:

a) If the team forfeits a game (1 point). However, should a team notify the league (through either

the president or the umpire-in-chief) more than 48 hours prior to game time that they intend to

default the game, no points will be deducted.

b) If the team fails to provide the required number of umpires as required by the schedule. Said

umpires may be any League member, as long as the arrangements have been made 24 hours prior

to the game. The points will be deducted, in the following manner, if the required numbers of

umpires have not reported by the completion of the first inning:

i. One umpire missing - 1 point deducted.

ii. Two umpires missing - 2 points deducted.

4) At the end of the regular season, ties in the league standings will be broken as follows:

a) Greater number of wins

b) Fewest losses

c) Best record between tied teams (in the case of more than 2 teams - the combined total record

of all tied teams will be used)

d) Best record in own division

e) Plus/Minus

f) Coin toss

Note: In Reference to Tie-breakers among more than 2 teams: When three or more teams are tied,

the head-to-head tie-breaker is evaluated as a single group among all tied teams to determine the

en

C) Errors in Scorekeeping

5) If there is an error in counting runs where the team did not count enough runs, it must be

reported to the other team immediately during the game. Once the game is over the runs counted

during the game are final. If a team has missed counting runs and it has been uncovered after the

game is over, the final score will stand, and these missed runs will not count. If a team has given

themselves too many runs and it discovers this error after the game is over, then these runs will be

removed, and the score will change even if it was discovered after the game was completed.

7. Warmups Between Innings & Infield Throws

A) Infield and outfield warmups are allowed for the first 3 innings ONLY. Catchers are not

permitted to throw the ball to 2nd base after a pitchers warmup.

B) Pitchers are allowed 5 pitches for their 1st inning of pitching, after their 1st inning is completed,

they are allowed 2 pitches.

C) After an out is completed, the ball must be given to the pitcher immediately, no balls thrown

around the infield is permitted.

8. Field Conditions & Time Delay

A) The conditions of the field to determine if the game is playable is decided by the umpires.

B) After the game has started, the plate umpire shall be the sole judge as to whether the game

shall continue.

1) The umpire has the responsibility to call the game at any time due to rain, lightning, darkness, or

any other cause which may put the players or umpires at risk.

2) No game will start more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time due to rain or

unplayable field conditions. If rain or other unplayable conditions occur after the game has

started, the umpires will wait up to 15 minutes for the field conditions to become playable. If play

cannot resume within 15 minutes, the game will either stand as an official result or be replayed,

depending on whether the required five innings have been completed in accordance with the 5-

Inning Rule.

Note: A player being injured during the game can also fall into the 15 minute rule. The Umpire will

use his judgement in this case but he may use the 15 minute rule as the sufficient amount of time

for an injury to be the reason to call a game.

3) At the request of the Town of Kirkland, the playing field must not be altered in any way, unless

done by the chalet ATTENDANT. This includes raking, baling water, etc.

9. Season Format Coaches And Teams

A) At the beginning of every season, the exec will decide by the amount of player registration

received, the number of teams and players per team for that season.

B) The Exec will also determine the number of games played for each team.

C) The Exec will also review all coaches who applied to coach, History and player conduct will

weigh heavily on the decision on who will coach.

D) All matters to the planning of the season, players, spares, events, scheduling, will be determined

by the exec and may change from year to year.

E) A player who does not play in at least 70% of his team's games will be reviewed for the

upcoming year if that player registers again as a regular. This player may be required to register as

a spare only the following year unless there is a valid explanation provided to the executive such

as injury, illness bereavement etc.

F) Minimum Players A team must have a minimum of nine players to start a game (including

spares). 7 of these players must be regular players. A team must have sufficient players to start a

game. Teams will be given fifteen minutes of the scheduled starting time to wait for a player to

show up or the game is forfeited and the team that did not have enough players will be penalized

by deducting 1 point from their point total.

1) A team must have a minimum of eight players (including spares) to continue a game.

2) Each player on the team roster must participate in a game. All players who show up to a game

must be included in the batting order and must bat in turn.

G) The defensive team may field a maximum of eleven players at a time. No player may sit out a

second inning until every player on the team has sat out once. Likewise, no player may sit out a

third inning until all other players have sat out twice. If a player currently on the field cannot

complete an inning and is replaced by a player who was sitting out, that inning will still count as

the sitting player's turn to sit. If the replaced player is unable to return to the field in the following

inning, and this results in a situation where a player would sit out a second time before others

have sat once, the replaced player must be removed from the game to maintain fairness and

compliance with the rotation rule.

H) A player who arrives after the first pitch of the game may play, but his name must be added to

the bottom of the batting order. If his team is in the field and is playing with less than 11 fielders,

he may join the game immediately. A player is considered late if he is not seen anywhere in the

park prior to the first pitch of a game.

10. Players Regular Season

There are 4 type of players defined in our league:

A. Regular Player

A drafted player who is part of a team's 13-player roster. He or his replacements are required to

play a Minimum of 70% of the season games.

B. Spare Player

A player who is asked to play in individual games and bats at the bottom of the lineup. When a

team requires a spare player(s), the "spare coordinator" must be contacted no later than 24 hours

prior to the start time of the game requiring the spare(s). A request less than 24 hours will not

always be fulfilled.

C. Replacement Player

A Spare Player who temporarily replaces a Regular Player for one or more games and assumes the

status of a Regular Player during those games. A Replacement Player may also continue to serve as

a Spare Player or as a Replacement Player for multiple Regular Players on multiple teams during

the same period, subject to the league's scheduling and replacement priority rules.

Rules Concerning Replacement Player - (Regular Season)

1) When a team requires a Replacement Player, it is the coach's responsibility to find a player who

meets the applicable rating parameters and replacement guidelines for the regular player that he

is missing.

2) The replacement player must be selected in accordance with the applicable rating parameters.

All available spares within a given parameter must be contacted before moving to the next

parameter. Note: A 30-minute window without a reply is sufficient time to move on to the next

parameter.

3) Once a coach has selected a Replacement Player, they must register that player with the Spare

Coordinator and are responsible for all communication with the player regarding game dates,

times, and schedule changes and rainouts. Once the Replacement Player has been registered, they

are considered assigned to that game, provided there is no other conflict. Assignment does not

constitute approval; approval is subject to the player's confirmation in accordance with Rule D and

for the spare coordinator to verify any conflict.

4) Once a request for a Replacement Player has been made, the Spare Coordinator will email the

requested Replacement Player asking them to confirm their acceptance of the game. The

Replacement Player will be considered approved once they confirm their acceptance. If the

Replacement Player does not confirm their acceptance but nevertheless attends the game and

plays, the Replacement Player requirement will be considered fulfilled. If the Replacement Player

does not confirm their acceptance and does not attend the game, the Replacement Player

requirement will not be considered fulfilled.

5) Once the Game is over the replacement player is released and a new search begins. If a Team

would like to be using the same replacement player for their next game, they must still register

that player for that game through the spare coordinator.

6) If two teams request the same replacement player for the same game, priority will be given to

the team that has used the player for the longest consecutive period of games. If the 2 teams are

using this player each for the first time then priority will go to the team that put in the request

with the coordinator first.

7) Replacement Players may be used by multiple teams during the same period of time and they

can also spare for different teams provided the games do not conflict.

8) Once a Regular Player has missed a total of Three (3) games during the season, the team

becomes eligible to use a Replacement Player on a game-by-game basis beginning with that

player's fourth (4th) missed game. This is optional and the team may use a replacement player if it

so wishes to.

9) Once a Regular Player has missed a total of eight (8) games during the season, the team MUST

use an approved Replacement Player for every subsequent game missed by that Regular Player,

beginning with the ninth (9th) missed game. A Regular Player is permitted to miss a maximum of

eight (8) games during the season without a Replacement Player being used.

10) If a Regular Player misses a ninth (9th) or subsequent game without an approved Replacement

player being used, the team shall forfeit each such game. The opposing team shall be awarded the

win, and the offending team shall be deducted two (2) points in the league standings for each

such game. All individual player statistics from the game shall remain unchanged.

11) If a Replacement Player has been properly registered for a game by confirming his acceptance

but is unable to participate because they fail to appear, or because they are injured while playing

another game on the same day, the team shall nevertheless be deemed to have satisfied the

replacement requirement for that game.

12) Replacement status takes priority over spare status only in the event of a conflict. If a Spare

Player has accepted an assignment as a Spare and is subsequently required as a Replacement

Player for the same game, the Replacement assignment shall take precedence.

13) Likewise, if a Spare Player has accepted an assignment to spare in one game and is

subsequently required as a Replacement Player in another game on the same day, but elects to

play only one game that day, the Replacement assignment shall take precedence, provided the

player is available for the game requiring the Replacement Player. In such cases, the Spare

assignment shall be cancelled.

14) A Replacement Player can only be rated (1) point higher than the Regular Player they are

replacing. No team is permitted to use a replacement player if the replacement is more than 1

point in rating unless the Exec gives them permission to go higher because there is no

replacement available at a certain rating.

15) If a player is suspended for any number of games, the suspended player cannot be replaced by

a replacement player for the first 2 games of his suspension. If the suspension is for more than 2

games, a replacement player may be used beginning with the 3rd game of the suspension. The

penalty for not replacing a player after 8 missed games will not apply to the first 2 games of the

suspension.

D. Permanent Replacement Player

A Spare Player who permanently replaces a Regular Player for the remainder of the season. Once

designated, the player is no longer considered a Spare Player and is not eligible to play for any

other team.

Rules Concerning Permanent Replacement Player

1) If a team has written confirmation that a drafted Regular player will not be returning for the

remainder of the season, the team may permanently replace that player under the replacement

rules, provided the replacement player's rating falls within Parameter 1 of, or below, the absent

player's rating. The permanent replacement may be added at any time during the season;

however, final approval will not be granted until the playoff ratings have been finalized.

2) Once a Team has taken a permanent player, that player must stay with that team for the

remainder of the season and playoffs. Only the ratings committee can pull a permanent

replacement off a team.

3) Once a team designates a replacement player as a permanent replacement, regardless of

whether final approval has been granted, that player is no longer eligible to play for any other

team during the season. From that point forward, the player is subject to all replacement rules

that apply to Regular players.

Parameters:

Parameter 1: Any player that is down .50 points and up .25 points of the player being replaced can

be selected at the coach's choice.

Parameter 2 and beyond: From the previous parameter, Down .50 point first, Then Up .25 from the

player being replaced.

11. Players Playoffs

There are 2 types of players in the playoffs:

A) Regular player / Permanent Replacement

A player who was drafted into a team and is part of a 13 man roster or is a spare that was

converted into a permanent replacement for a player who is not returning.

B) A Replacement Player

A player who was either a spare from registration or an eliminated regular.

12. Playoffs

A) Playoff Rankings

Division winners will be ranked above all other teams throughout the playoffs regardless of point

totals. They will be followed by All other teams. All rankings are decided by teams point totals and

tie breakers will be according to rules laid out in Section 1, Rule 6 .

B) Playoff Format

1) Play in round (2 out of 3 Game elimination, winner goes on to the 1st round.) 16/13 and 15/14 (Last

Place Teams In each Division)

2) First Round: Teams are seeded 1 through 14 based on regular season records, and we proceed

with 3/14, 4/13, 5/12, 6/11, 7/10, 8/9, all best 2 out of 3. 1st place and 2nd place play 2 games for 1st

overall seed. The 2nd place team must win both games to claim 1st place overall.

3) Second Round: Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on regular season records, and we proceed

with 1/8, 2/7, 3/6, 4/5 all best 2 out of 3.

4) Semi Finals: Again, remaining teams are seeded 1 through 4 based on regular season

performance, and we proceed with 1/4, 2/3 all best 2 out of 3.

5) Finals: Best 3 out of 5.

C) Playoff Regulation Game

1) If after 5 complete innings, if a playoff game is interrupted by lights, weather after an inning has

started and the game cannot continue at the same time slot, then both teams will come back and

finish that inning at a later time slot.

2) If 5 complete innings have been played, A game must not end in a tie and will be continued

until there is a winner or the game will be suspended and completed at the next available time

slot.

3) If a game is stopped before 5 complete innings then the entire game is to restart at a new time

slot.

4) All innings that start and do not finish due to time restrictions, will be suspended to a new time

slot and continued where the game left off.

D) Playoff Scheduling

No team can be scheduled to play more than 3 games in 3 consecutive nights. The Exec will notify

the coaches involved of all dates before the start of a series and if a game is needed that was not

scheduled it will be played in the next available time slot.

E) Official teams

1) Coaches MUST make EVERY effort to ensure that they start every playoff game with the same

number of players as they drafted.

Effect: Failure to make EVERY effort will result in an investigation and could lead to sanctions

and/or suspension.

2) In the event that it is impossible to field a full team (no-shows, last-minute cancellations, or lack

of players whose ratings fit the parameters available), then they must still sit 2 players per inning

in their defensive rotation regardless of how many players are on the field.

Exceptions to this are the following:

i) Should a player be injured during a game and be unable to continue to play.

ii) If a team is disallowed by the opposing team to play with a replacement player who is higher in

iii) In the event that a player is injured during a continuation game, and his team has a regularly

scheduled playoff game immediately following.

NOTE: In these 3 cases the affected team would therefore still be permitted to have 11 players on

the field.

F) Regulation Game

1) All series except finals - Once an inning has started the inning must be played to its completion

unless such stoppage is weather related and then left up to the discretion of the umpire. The

completion can be completed immediately or at the next open time slot (umpire's discretion)

NOTE: No inning can start 1 hour and 45 minutes and 0 seconds past the starting time of the game.

The start of an inning begins immediately after the home team makes the last out of an inning.

2) Finals - All games must be played to their entirety (nine innings or as the mercy rule applies)

3) Mercy Rule - If one team is leading by 20 runs or more, at the end of 5 innings or more the

official game is considered to have ended.

G) Late Arrival

A player who arrives after the first pitch of the game may play, but his name must be added to the

bottom of the batting order. If his team is in the field and is playing with less than 11 fielders, he

may join the game immediately. A player is considered late if he is not visible in the surroundings

of the park at the time of the first pitch.

H) Playoff Replacement Requests

1) The Exec will assign someone to take all replacement requests for the playoffs. This person will

be referred to as the spare coordinator.

2) There are no spares in the playoffs, all players in a lineup are either regulars or replacement

players. Once the playoffs begin, all replacement players are removed from every team unless they

hold a permanent status.

3) Teams will be responsible for contacting all replacements that they require. They must start

with Parameter 1 and then Parameter 2 and so forth for all replacement needs. If a coach does not

contact all replacements that are below within a parameter before going up, The Exec has the

right to force a forfeit for that game and the coach can be suspended.

4) For all playoff games, replacements are assigned on a game-by-game basis and may only be

reserved once the game has been scheduled on the league website. All teams must send their

request for a replacement to the spare Coordinator through the means that they have identified

with the coaches. All replacement requests can only be sent when the scheduled game is posted

on the website.

5) The emails will be time stamped for priority. Replacement requests will be placed on a first

requested, first served basis. Teams are permitted to speak to replacements before, but Teams

who send their request in first have priority over other teams, even if that team has not contacted

any replacement and other teams have. The priority is who requested it first, not who contacted

the replacement first.

6) Once a request has been sent in and the player has accepted, then that team must advise the

spare coordinator of the replacement's acceptance or of the replacement's denial if that is the

case. Teams MUST send in their request and it must be approved for the replacement to play, even

if it's minutes before game time.

7) A replacement who has confirmed that he can play and the team has sent in their request for

that player cannot be canceled unless the game is canceled and a new time slot for that game has

been set.

8) A team has no restriction to select any replacement player lower in rating than their player

being replaced.

9) Parameter 1: Any player that is down .50 points and up .25 points of the player being replaced

can be selected at the coach's choice.

10) Parameter 2 and beyond: From the previous parameter, down .50 point FIRST, Then Up .25.

From Parameter 2 and beyond, you must go Down before going up in rating.

11) The opposing coach has the right to deny a replacement from playing If a replacement is found

with a +1.00 and higher rating from the player he is replacing. If a coach does deny such a player,

then the team requesting a replacement will be permitted to play with 1 less player without the

team being penalized with the number of players sitting per inning or he can go lower in rating

and find another replacement. If the opposing team accepts the replacement player, then that

player can hit anywhere in the lineup.

12) The Ratings committee will review all ratings of Regular players and spares and will render a

final replacement playoff rating list by the second Monday in August. If the ratings committee is

not comfortable with not seeing a replacement enough, they have the right to not give a final

rating and omit this replacement from replacing in the playoffs. All replacement ratings are final

before the playoffs begin and cannot be changed once the season ends.

13) Playoff Ratings and Replacement Players

A) The league’s primary responsibility is to maintain the integrity and fairness of the draft process.

Therefore, only players who are eligible to replace another player may have their rating changed

during the playoffs.

B) The playoff rating system applies only to replacement players. A regular player’s Original Draft

Rating will never change while their team remains in the playoffs. The playoff ratings are only for

replacement players.

C) Once a player is eliminated from the playoffs, their status immediately changes from Regular

Player to Replacement Player, and they become eligible to play as a replacement immediately

following their elimination. Until that time, their Original Draft Rating remains unchanged

D) When a team requires a replacement for one of its regular players, the Original Draft Rating of

the un-eliminated regular player is the rating that must be used to determine the appropriate

replacement. This ensures that a team’s replacement is based on the player’s original draft value

and that the integrity of the original draft process is maintained throughout the playoffs.

14) All teams must play every game with the same number of players they drafted. The only players

considered to be part of the team's regular list of players will be those originally drafted or traded

for. Teams can be permitted to replace a Regular player permanently before the season ends.

15) Replacement players who have been given a rating and have played a minimum 1 game during

the year will be permitted to be a replacement in the playoffs. No other replacements can be a

replacement player in the playoffs. Those who registered as Spares will ONLY be permitted to play

in the 1st round. After the first round only eliminated regulars will be permitted to replace a player.

16) A replacement player is permitted to play more than 1 game per day if he so chooses, and he is

also permitted to accept assignments before or after assignments that he has already accepted. If

that replacement gets hurt on the same day as he is scheduled to play a 2nd game, then that team

who is left without a replacement must do everything in its power to replace him but if they can't

find anyone then they will not be penalized and will be allowed to play with 12 players and only sit

1 player.

17) The Spare Coordinator has the right to refuse a replacement confirmation if he feels that the

replacement is picking and choosing who to replace for. All replacements must be available for all

teams and cannot refuse an assignment based on the team that requested him. The Spare

Coordinator has the right to remove the replacement from the replacement list if this situation

occurs.

18) If a replacement spare has already been playing with a team during a series, that team retains

priority rights to keep the spare for the remainder of that series. The opposing team may not claim

the replacement unless the team with priority no longer requires his services. A replacement may

play for multiple teams on the same day or on different days. If a replacement has already played

for a team during a series, that team retains priority for the player in future games in the series

unless he is released. Only after the player is released may the opposing team request him.

19) Once a series is over, the replacement player is released from that team and a new request

must be submitted for the next game/round if needed. Once the series concludes, the priority

rights expire, and the replacement becomes available at the start of the next series.

20) All previous rules remain in effect.

I) Protests

Protests are only Applicable to playoff games; no protest will be entertained during the regular

season. Please see below for the protest rules during the playoffs.

1) A protested game may arise when there is a disagreement on the field between the protesting

team and the umpire regarding the application or interpretation of a rule. The game shall continue

and be completed; however, it shall be considered a suspended game until the protest is reviewed

and either upheld or denied by the Executive Committee.

2) An umpire's judgment as to whether a batted ball was fair or foul, a pitched ball was a ball or a

strike, a base runner was safe or out, or about any other situation wholly within the umpire's scope

to make decisions, is not a valid reason to protest a game. Only disputed misplaced or

misinterpreted rules shall be a reason for a protest.

3) The decision that is being disputed must be significant enough to have had an impact on the

game or score. If the violation brought forth by the coach had no impact on the outcome of a

game, then the motion to validate the protest will be denied.

4) The intention to protest a rule interpretation must be made known by the Coach, or his

designate, to the umpire immediately and before the next pitch is made to the batter. The

protesting coach must make note of the exact conditions prevailing on the field at the time of the

protest. These conditions should be attested to and by the umpires. And an email sent to the Exec

cc'ing the opposing coach and the umpires on the field shall be sent to the Exec.

5 The formal protest form should be completed and contain the following, and be attested to by

the umpires and the other coach:

i) The date, time, and place of the game.

ii) Names of the umpires.

iii) The rule or rules over which the protest is being filed.

iv) The decision and/or conditions surrounding the cause for the protest.

v) The essential facts involved in the matter of the protest.

6) The decision made on a protested game may result in:

i) The protest being found invalid. The game score stands as played.

ii) The protest is approved. The game will resume at the point of the protest as a suspended game.

13. The Draft

A) Draft Procedure

1) A list of players who have registered to be regulars shall be given to the coaches at the latest by

the pre-season coaches' meeting.

2) All rookies or spares whose rating has not been determined yet will be invited to a rookie camp

where the ratings committee shall rate all players and give a final list to the coaches. If a player

does not have a rating and cannot show up to rookie camp, this player will not be permitted to

play as a regular.

3) Coaches will be slotted in the first round according to their rating, the lowest rated coach

picking first. If there is a tie in rating between coaches a coin flip will determine who picks first.

The coach's round will be called the 1st round.

4) The 2nd round for each team will be completed immediately after rookie camp.

5) The draft will take place one week after rookie camp.

6) Starting with Round 2 until the last round of the draft, a total sum of the players rating will be

calculated for each team. A sequence of the lowest rated teams to the highest rated teams will be

the sequence of picks for each round.

7) If there is a tie between teams at the end of a round, the team that picked last of the tied teams

in the round that just finished will pick before the other tied teams in the next round. This process

will continue until all tie breakers have been determined.

8) Each team is given a certain amount of time to make their picks for each round. Round 2 to 9 all

teams will have 60 seconds to make a pick. Rounds 10 to 12, teams will have 90 seconds to make a

pick. Once a team has picked a player, the allotted time per round will begin for the next team in

the drafting sequence. This allotted time for each team to make a pick will be called "On the

Clock."

9) Teams are permitted to have 3 time-outs through the draft. These time outs must be called

anytime during the team is "On the clock." Only 1 time out per round is permitted. If a team runs

out of time outs and they do not make a pick, then their turn is forfeited to the next team in the

sequence of picks. After that team has made their pick, the team that lost their turn has 30

seconds to make a pick, if they do not make a pick within 30 seconds then they forfeit their pick

again to the next team. This process continues until they make a pick in the round. All teams must

take 1 player in each round.

10) There are 12 rounds in the 13-man roster. The 1st round is selected before the day of the draft

and the day of the draft begins with Round 2.

11) There will be three (3) 7-minute breaks after Rounds 4, 7, 10. Trades can only be done during the

breaks and the change of rating will be in effect once the draft resumes from the breaks.

12) Once a team announces a pick for each round, this pick is final and cannot be changed.

13) No one can sit at a team's draft table unless they have been drafted by that team.

14) Only 3 players per team are permitted to always sit at a Draft table.

B) Trades

1) Trades are permitted during the 4 breaks.

2) No approvals or votes are needed for teams to trade players.

3) Teams can only trade players and not draft positions.

4) Teams are permitted to involve multiple players in an individual trade if they choose to do so.

5) Trades executed in Rounds 2 to 10 may not exceed more than + .75 for any team involved for

that specific trade. Trades executed in Rounds 11 and 12 may not exceed more than +.50 for any

team involved in that specific trade. The trade window closes 48 hours after the draft.

6) The cumulative of all trades may not exceed + 1.25 for any team before, during or after the draft.

If a team has completed a trade, then that trade is final. If this same team would like to submit

another trade and one of the teams exceeds a cumulative amount +1.25, then this team cannot go

back and undo a previous trade so the second one can be approved. Once a trade is submitted

and it is within the ratings parameter, it is final.

7) The deadline to submit a trade will be 48 hours after the draft. All trades after the draft may not

exceed more than +.50 for any team involved for that specific trade.

8) Trades that occur during the 3 breaks of the draft are to be given to the Draft coordinator

immediately before the next round begins. The cumulative team rating amount will be affected as

per the trade outlines for each team that makes a trade, and the team rating amounts are re-

sorted accordingly. The next round will begin with the new sorting of the teams.

14. Coaches

A) Coaches have the responsibility to set line ups, plan the sits, and manage their teams

appropriately and within the guidelines and rules set forth by the members and executive.

B) Coaches have the responsibility to set up after game activities for their players such as

beverages and food.

C) A coach's conduct on or off the field must be one that promotes the rules and is respectful to all

players in all teams.

D) Coaches are required to schedule 2 umpires for all scheduled umpire duties, and they must

always schedule 1 of those 2 umpires that is able to take control of a game and is knowledgeable

of the KMSPL league rules.

E) Coaches are encouraged to help umpires with rules even if it goes against their team. An

umpire's call on a play is always subjective, but rules are to be followed and coaches must

encourage the right rule to be implemented when an umpire does not know a rule or is confused

about a rule.

F) Coaches have the responsibility to promote all league events to their teammates.

15. Umpires

a) All players are encouraged to read the rule book and umpires are responsible to enforce all

rules.

b) Umpires must do everything to focus on their duties as an umpire and make the appropriate

calls. They have a responsibility to the 2 teams playing.

c) Umpires are to respect all players and they are to take control of the game in terms of mood,

time management, making appropriate calls, looking after the health of all players and to make

sure fairness is always given to both teams.

d) Umpires are encouraged to always get the call right regardless of how it appears or who it may

anger. If a call is made by an umpire and a coach asks for an appeal from the other umpire, the

umpire in question should appeal to the other umpire in case he did miss something.

e) Umpires are allowed to switch with other players from their teams, if they need a bathroom

break, food break or beverage break. They are encouraged to ask others to help rather than eat or

drink during their umpire duties.

Section 3: KMSPL Constitution

1. Name

This organization shall be known as the Kirkland Men's Slow-Pitch League or KMSPL.

2. Objectives

The KMSPL is organized to provide a slo-pitch league which offers recreation, fellowship,

sportsmanship, and fair competition for its members.

3. Membership

Definition - Member: A member is defined as a Regular player (Full-time player) who is up to date with

payment owed to the league and who registered according to the league deadline for registration and is 25

years of age or older as of the calendar year in which the player is wanting to play in. All members have the

right to attend all league events and have a right to vote in all rule and constitution proposals at the AGM.

Spares are not considered members. They do not have a right to vote at the AGM and a spare can be anyone

who is 21 years of age or older as of the calendar year in which the player is wanting to play in.

Priority Of Membership

Registration shall determine who are the members for any season. The priority shall be in the

following order... (Note: A player in good standing is someone who has paid all his dues owed and

someone who has not been suspended within the last year)

1) Any regular member who played in the previous year and who is in good standing is in

automatically.

2) All Kirkland residents who have played as a regular in the past 5 years and who are in good

standing.

3) All Kirkland Residents who have been a spare in the previous year or past 5 years who are in

good standing.

4) All Kirkland residents who have never played in the league.

5) All Non-Kirkland residents who have played in the KMSPL as a regular or spare who are in good

standing.

6) All Non-Kirkland who have never played in the KMSPL before.

Players who register who are not in good standing will be reviewed by the Exec and they can be

placed in any of the above 6 categories, or their membership may be denied.

NOTE: The Executive has the right to deny any membership of someone who they feel does not

promote the objectives of the league as is outlined in Section 3 of the Constitution regardless

where they rank in the 6 categories of Priorities.

4. Executive Committee

A) The Structure Of The Executive

The Executive Committee shall be composed of five (5) officers and (2) alternates that are non-

voting members of the Executive Committee and shall become a member of the executive should

any vacancy be created for any reason. The executive shall decide which position the alternate will

fill in at their discretion. Alternates will be voted on at the AGM itself with no advance notice being

required to run for the position. The alternate receiving the highest number of votes, as between

the alternates, shall be the first alternate.

B) Nominations Of The Executive

A candidate must be a league member OR A PAST MEMBER in good standing for at

least 1 year prior to the nomination. All members of the executive must be residents of the town of

Kirkland. Nominations must be submitted to the President By October 1st of each year.

A candidate can nominate himself for a position.

C) Structure of Executive

The Executive Committee shall have a President, VP Finances, VP Equipment, VP Events, VP

Operations.

The Executive has the right to create non-voting positions on the Executive Committee as deemed

necessary to assist with the general operations of the league. These position(s) must be offered to

members in good standing only.

D) Positions And Responsibilities

1) All Executive members report to The President

2) The President has the right to change the duties and responsibilities of each position and direct

it to the executive best suited to fulfill that duty based on the President's judgment.

President: AGM, Rule Changes, Executive Nominations, Executive Meetings, Discipline Committee,

Competition Committee, Levere Award, League Liaison with City Officials, Oversee All members of

the executive Re-assignment of duties (if Necessary)

VP Finances: Budgets, Treasurer, Beer Distribution Admin, Sponsors, Admin of Registration &

banquet & golf tournament of receivables and payables.

VP Events: Coaches meetings, Rookie Day off-field, Draft Day, Family Day, Golf Day, Awards Night,

Annual Banquet

VP Operations: Registration, Ratings, Scheduling, Stats & Website, Rookie Day on-field, Spares

Coordinator, Umpire and Chief Facebook Page, Advertising & Promotion of The League

VP Equipment: All bats' balls, bases sweaters, all on-field equipment, BBQ's (cleaning and

supplying BBQ's and gas tanks), Bunker management.

E) Executive Vote and Procedure

1) The Executive Committee for the following year shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting

(AGM) by the members present at the AGM. The members of the Executive Committee shall be

eligible to vote.

2) Each candidate shall be given an opportunity to address the AGM if he so desires.

3) The election for each portfolio shall be by a secret ballot of the members present with the

candidate receiving the greatest number of votes being elected to the Executive Committee for

the following year. In the case of a tie an additional secret ballot will be taken to decide between

the tied candidates.

4) The term of the Executive Committee members shall be one (1) year, commencing with their

election at the AGM.

5) Quorum for Executive Committee meetings shall be four (4).

6) Unless otherwise agreed by the Executive Committee, the President shall chair the Executive

meetings.

7) All decisions of the Executive Committee shall be made by a vote from the officers present, with

any ties being broken by the President. A majority of members (50%+1) must be present for a vote

to pass.

8) A member of the executive committee shall be allowed to coach/captain a team during his

term. Should an issue arise involving an executive member's team member or himself, that

executive will abstain from the vote.

9) Should a position on the executive be vacant for lack of anyone being nominated for it before

the deadline, 1 or more league members in good standing may volunteer for the position on or

before the AGM. A majority vote or 50%+1 of the members attending the AGM will be enough to

occupy the position. Should, After the AGM, a position on the executive become vacant with no

alternate available, the executive may assign any member in good standing of the league to that

position with his permission.

5. Powers Of The Executive Committee

(a) Other than is set forth in this Constitution, the Executive Committee shall have the power to

operate KMSPL in a way, in their view, will best attain the objective of KMSPL. Notwithstanding the

generality of the foregoing, the Executive Committee shall:

(i) Select the coaches.

(ii) establish the rules of play according to rule changes passed by a majority vote at an AGM.

(iii) Schedule games.

(iv) discipline members.

(v) set up committees.

(b) All decisions of the Executive Committee shall be final.

6. Annual General Meeting

A) An AGM shall be held between the end of the regular season and the 31st of December each

year.

B) Notice of the location and time of the AGM shall be given in writing at least two (2) weeks prior

to the meeting to all members of the KMSPL with the agenda, the list of Executive Committee

positions and the candidates for each, proposed amendments to the constitution and a financial

report.

C) The AGM shall be chaired by the President or his designate who shall be a member of the

Executive Committee or a non-voting member of an Executive sub-committee.

D) Quorum for the AGM shall be any number of the members of KMSPL present at the meeting.

E) The agenda for the AGM shall include:

1) a summary of the League's activities by each member of the Executive Committee.

2) The list of candidates nominated by position for election to the Executive Committee.

3) The election of the Executive Committee.

4) Any other business.

F) All constitution and rule changes must be submitted by members in writing to the President no

later than the 1st of October of that given year.

G) All proposals will be introduced by the President and the member who is proposing the change

will be given time to explain his proposal. This will be followed by the members at the meeting

who are opposed or for the change to also speak. A maximum of 10 minutes will be given for each

change, after which a vote will take place.

7. Amendments

Any change to the Constitution must be by a vote of 67%+ of the members present at the AGM.

Any change to a rule of play must be by a vote of 50%+1 vote of the members present at the AGM

and 50%+1 at the following year's coaches meeting.

Any full-time player may submit a proposal to add, review, or delete any rules of play by October

1st of that given year. A vote will be held during the AGM, with only full-time attendees eligible to

vote. If the proposal is approved by at least 50%+1 of those present at the AGM, the executive will

present the rule to the 16 coaches at the following year's coaches meeting. If 50%+1 of the coaches

agree with the rule passed at the AGM, it will be adopted for the upcoming season. In the event of

a tie, the President will cast the deciding vote.

8. Extraordinary Meeting

Any member of the KMSPL may request the Executive Committee to call an extraordinary meeting

at any time during the year if he has written support of 25% of the membership.

9. Disciplinary Guidelines And Code Of Conduct

NOTE: IN THIS POLICY "player" REFERS TO all members and non-members in KMSPL, as well as to

all individuals engaged in activities by the KMSPL, including, but not limited to, athletes, coaches,

officials, volunteers, directors, officers, team managers, team captains and administrators.

Preamble

1. KMSPL is committed to the development of slow pitch softball and the establishment of a

friendly and mutually rewarding relationship among the members of the Association to better

facilitate competition.

2. Players in KMSPL have many benefits and privileges. At the same time, players are expected to

fulfill certain responsibilities and obligations, including but not limited to, complying with the

Code of Conduct, Constitution, By-Laws, policies, rules, and regulations of KMSPL.

3. The KMSPL Code of Conduct identifies the standard of behavior which is expected of members

of KMSPL. Members who fail to meet this standard will be subject to the disciplinary sanctions

identified within this policy.

4. KMSPL adheres to the principles and ethical standards outlined in the Quebec Charter of

Human Rights.

Application

5. This Code of Conduct applies to all categories of players in KMSPL.

6. These parties have a duty to encourage and maintain the highest standards of courtesy, fairness,

and mutual respect in the execution of their duties. It must be recognized that the executives,

coaches, and volunteers play a critical role in the personal and athletic development of the

competitors and athletes. The executive, coaches and other volunteers must both understand and

respect the inherent power imbalance that may exist in these relationships, and they must be

careful not to abuse it.

7. The executives, coaches and volunteers must also recognize that they are important conduits

through which the values and goals of KMSPL are expressed and communicated. How a

competitor or athlete regards himself and their position within the KMSPL is often dependent

upon the behavior of the executive, coach, or volunteer.

8. This Code of Conduct has been developed to govern the behavior of the executives, coaches,

players, and volunteers.

League Officials, Coaches And Members: Responsibility

9. Treat everyone fairly and with respect within the context of their activity, regardless of gender,

place of origin, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, political belief, economic status, or

disability.

10. Direct constructive comments or criticism at the performance rather than the individual.

11. Consistently display standards and project a favorable image of KMSPL and shall:

a) Refrain from harassment of any kind upon any individual, as defined by the KMSPL Harassment

Policies (POINTS 23 AND 24), including any unnecessary public criticism of other members, or

individuals.

b) Abstain from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages when participating in or attending

a KMSPL game or event.

c) Refrain from the use of profanity, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language.

d) At no time verbally or physically abuse an official, coach, contestant, spectator, or other person

while at any softball event.

e) Wear the appropriate dress for the activity attended.

f) Respect the property of the association at all times and make every attempt to prevent damage

to said property.

g) Report the theft or attempted theft of any of the possessions of the association and refrain from

any unauthorized use or taking of said property; and

h) Respect the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules, and Regulations of KMSPL and the standards and

ethics of the KMSPL.

12. Treat all other members with due respect and encourage competitors and athletes to act

accordingly, and actively encourage them to uphold the principles, ethics and rules of the KMSPL.

13. Must adhere to the league's zero tolerance directives as outlined on the KMSPL web site and

rule book.

League Officials and Coaches Must

14. Ensure the safety of competitors and athletes.

15. Respect the individual dignity of competitors and athletes; verbal or physical behavior which

constitutes harassment or abuse of any kind being unacceptable.

16. Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or any other banned performance enhancing

substance.

Athletes Adhere To

17. Integrity - The athlete must act with integrity in performing all duties owed to the sport and the

general public.

18. Competence - The athlete must strive to be well prepared and current in order that all duties in

the respective discipline are fulfilled with competence.

19. Athletes Interest - The athlete must act in the best interest of the sport's development and as a

whole person.

20. Respect for The Rules - The athlete must accept both the letter and the spirit of the rules that

define and govern sport.

21. Respect for Officials - The athlete must accept the role of officials in providing judgment to

ensure that competitions are conducted fairly and according to the established rules, and at no

time verbally or physically abuse an official, and

22. Responsibility to Other Athletes - The athlete's conduct toward other athletes must be

characterized by courtesy, good faith, and respect.

Harassment Policy

23. KMSPL is committed to providing a sporting and work environment in which all individuals are

treated with respect and dignity. Everyone has the right to participate and work in an environment

which promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices.

24. Harassment can take many forms but is generally defined as inappropriate behavior including

comments and/or conduct which is insulting, intimidating, humiliating, hurtful, malicious,

degrading or otherwise offensive to an individual, or group of individuals, or which creates an

uncomfortable environment. All individuals participating in events sanctioned by KMSPL must

adhere to the principles set forth in the KMSPL Harassment Policy.

Disciplinary Guidelines

These are the formal guidelines on how incident reports filed against a team or player shall be

investigated and dealt with.

A Note on Confidentiality

The names of those involved in, or witness to an incident will not be released to the public. Some

information regarding incidents may be released, and names may be given to League Officials and

Captains if required by the Disciplinary Guidelines detailed below. However, no information will be

released that would enable the general public to resolve the individuals involved in a specific

incident. It must be noted that all information regarding a specific incident will be made available

to appropriate authorities where the KMSPL is required by law to provide it.

Incident Investigation Process

The following shall be the process for investigating and ruling on incidents reported by KMSPL

members:

1. Incident reports filed through the Incident Reporting System (On-Line report) shall be forwarded

to the Umpire-In-Chief and then all incidents must be sent to the Disciplinary Committee.

2. The Disciplinary Committee will solicit reports from the parties directly involved with the

incident, the captains of the teams involved with the incident, and any relevant witnesses to the

incident. The identities of all these individuals must be made available to the Disciplinary

Committee upon request. Failure to do so may result in further disciplinary action.

3. Upon reviewing the reports, the Disciplinary Committee shall make a ruling according to the

Disciplinary Guidelines defined below. The original incident report and the Disciplinary

Committee's ruling shall be filed with the Umpire-In-Chief.

4. Should the Disciplinary Committee be unable to make a ruling on the matter, either due to the

restrictions of the Disciplinary Guidelines or for any other reason, or should the parties involved not

be satisfied with the Disciplinary Committee's ruling, the matter may be escalated to the Executive

for further review or appeal.

5. If there is an appeal, the KMSPL Executive will review all reports forwarded by the Umpire-In-

Chief and the Disciplinary Committee and/or will solicit reports from the parties directly involved

with the incident, the captains of the teams involved with the incident, and any relevant witnesses

to the incident. The identities of all these individuals must be made available to the Executive

upon request. Failure to do so may result in further disciplinary action.

6. Upon reviewing the reports, the Board of Directors shall make a ruling according to the

Disciplinary Guidelines defined below. This ruling shall be final. The original incident report, the

original Disciplinary Committee's ruling (if any), the UIC's ruling, and the Board of Director's final

ruling shall be filed with the Executive Officer.

Disciplinary Guidelines

The following are the guidelines for disciplinary rulings stemming from the Incident Investigation

Process outlined above:

Conflict Of Interest

Should there be a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest, for anyone

charged with investigating and ruling on an incident, that individual must excuse themselves and

the remaining members shall make a ruling.

Possible Disciplinary Actions

The KMSPL is not a legal body. It does not have a mandate to detail all manner of potential

incidents and assign corresponding disciplinary actions. It is felt that the judgment of those

investigating and ruling on a given incident, and the appeal process provided, will prevent

disciplinary actions that are out of proportion to an incident. However, it should be noted that the

disciplinary actions taken against an individual or team by the KMSPL may include, but are not

limited to:

• No action

• Official warnings

• Alteration of win/loss records for a team

• Suspension of an individual or team

• Assigned a strike(s)

• Expulsion from the KMSPL of an individual or team

Any of these actions may be taken based on the severity of a single incident or documented

history of incidents.

Disciplinary Authority

As per the Incident Investigation Process outlined above, various individuals or groups within the

KMSPL are empowered to impose disciplinary actions. The following outlines the actions each of

these individuals or groups are authorized to impose upon an individual or team.

Disciplinary Committee Authorization

The Disciplinary Committee is authorized to impose sanctions up to and including the suspension

of an individual for as many as five games and/or 1 strike. If they deem that an incident merits a

greater penalty than they are authorized to impose, they are entrusted with not ruling and passing

the disciplinary process over to the next level.

Executive Committee Authorization

The Executive Committee is authorized to impose sanctions up to and including the permanent

expulsion of any individual. However, any ruling involving permanent expulsion would require an

automatic hearing in front of a committee made up of 6 coaches and Disciplinary Committee

members and would require the approval from the majority of members of the said committee.

This includes any player having received a third strike which in effect is the equivalent of a

permanent expulsion.

Enforcement

The sport of Softball is based on the premise of Spirit of the Game. It is implicit that no player shall

intentionally break the rules for gain. As such, players and their captains are entrusted to adhere to

the rulings imposed by the KMSPL. However, in the event of a suspension, additional measures

must be taken to ensure compliance with the ruling. If an individual is suspended for any number

of games, the captains of their scheduled opponents for the duration of the suspension will be

notified. If a player is found to be playing in defiance of a suspension, additional and more serious

disciplinary actions will be taken against the player. Also, actions may be taken against the team

captain as an individual, or the team.