Medford Lakes Softball rules and regulations

Eligibility for Adult Sports 2011 Seasons:

To sign up on line go to: http://www.mlaasports.com/page/show/266248-men-s-softball

In order to participate in an Adult Sports Program during the 2011 Season supported by the MLAA, the athlete must meet two criteria: Same since 2009

Be eighteen years of age by start of the season (1^st game)

One of the following Colony Resident Standards:

· Current Colony Members in good standing

· Medford Lakes borough employee

· Volunteer Fire & Police personnel

· Son or daughter of current Colony Members in good standing

· Please note: Case-by-case exceptions MUST be presented to the MLAA and Medford Lakes Colony for approval. Such exceptions are limited too

· Prior Colonists of Medford Lakes with a 5 year residency history that left in good standing

· Kids who grew up in Medford Lakes (Child of prior Colonist of Medford Lakes) with a 5 year residency history that left in good standing

Proof of eligibility will be required at time of sports program registration. Case-by-case exceptions will be scheduled for review through the MLAA Adult Sports Commissioner.

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The telephone pole in left center and the "drug fee" sign in right center field are for the purpose of safety. Any ball hit into the road on the ground to the left of the sign and to the right of the pole is a ground-rule double; as is any ball hit to the right of the right center field Drug sign, is a ground rule double- unless it is touched in any way by a fielder- the confirmation of the "touch" will be the call of the first base umpire. If he is unable to make a call, then it is deferred to the home plate umpire and if neither has seen it then the call is a ground rule double Anything hit between the pole and the drug sign is "All you can get".

The tree is considered a wall and is in play. A ball that hits the tree on the fly is in play if it lands on the grass and a home run if it lands in the street. Under no circumstances will a fly ball that is caught after it hits any part of the tree be considered an out. If a fly ball that hits the tree is caught by a fielder on the fly in the street, it is considered a home run.

If a fly ball is hit into the woods or is caught by a fielder in the woods, it is considered a home run.

If a player catches a fly ball both feet must touch the "in-play" field before going into the street. If this occurs then the play is an out. If the player only has one foot at time of catch and travels into the street the play is a Home run. If the ball in any way directly touches the street the hit is also a home run. It does not matter where the ball is caught but where the fielder's feet are when the catch is being made. NOTE: Ball is still "in play" and runners can advance as they choose. If the catch is made and the players goes into the street or the woods...it is NOT an out of play situation.

If a thrown ball that is in play breaks the plane of the field, any runner that is in the process of advancing will receive the base that he is going to plus one. If the runner, for whatever reason, is not advancing, he will receive only the next base. This will be solely the interpretation of the home plate umpire.

If a ball is hit and goes between the telephone pole in left field and the drug free school sign in right field, the ball is considered "all you can get". If the ball is hit on the ground to the right of the drug free school sign and to the left of the telephone pole, whether it is hit off of a glove or not, is considered a ground rule double. this is a safety rule for the cards on the road and the heavy brush in right field.

The game is over if the visiting team is ahead by at least 15 runs after five innings or if the home team is ahead by at least 15 runs after four and a half innings. This is only for season play not for the playoffs.

A base runner must avoid collision and potential injury at all bases by sliding, veering or otherwise avoiding the fielder. There must be a play on the base runner for the rule to be invoked, except for intentional collisions (i.e., any ball thrown to a base, whether the ball is thrown accurately or not, constitutes a play at that base). Any intentional collision, regardless of whether the base was involved in the play or not, will result in the runner being called out and ejected from the game. Any unintentional violent collision ( in the umpire's judgment) will result in the base runner being called out. A tag resulting in a dropped ball is not considered a collision.

If a batter has two strikes he is allowed only one foul ball. On the batters second foul ball after the second strike the batter is out.

10. Speed up the game additional count rule: All batters will start with a 1 ball and 1 strike count.- new 2003 season

12. Ejection Rule: Any player that is ejected from a game will be suspended for that game and possibly the subsequent game based upon a coach’s vote. Although many thought that ASA rules stipulated that the player’s spot in the lineup is considered an out each time they are supposed to bat, our league will not follow that "created" rule I don’t believe the team should be penalized for one player’s irresponsibility or stupidity for getting ejected from a softball game. The player will simply be ejected from the game and must leave the area where his team is located during that and the following game. There will be no out in the batting order when the ejected player is supposed to bat. New 7-26-04

Sunday June 1 is the last day anyone can be added to the roster line-up of any team.