Old Tappan Men's Softball League (OTMSL) - League Rules

2. A $60.00 fee will be assessed per player; this will be reviewed annually.

3. Teams will consist of a maximum of 15 players, minimum of 11.

4. A team must have 7 rostered players for a game in order to avoid a forfeit. However, under no circumstances can a team have more than 2 substitutes. Therefore, if the situation arises where a rostered team has 7 players and they take 2 substitutes to total 9, that's it, even though their opponent has 10 players. Additionally, substitutes must bat last in the order and are restricted to playing catcher, right field, first base, or second base. Maximum of 10 players can play the field at any time. Rostered players always have priority over subs. A 10th player may never be substituted. Substitutions after a game starts; if a player or players leave the game before completion causing a team to have less than 9 players, then that team may pickup another player from another team. Additionally: Teams are free to sub during a game. If you have 9 and 1 player leaves you may sub a player from another team.
Additionally if a player shows up after the first pitch of the game, he must bat last in the order.

5. The league will supply the bases.

6. A forfeit may be called 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time.

7. Unless an injury occurs during the game, players in need of a courtesy runner must be designated prior to start of game. The courtesy runner will be the last batted out. If the manager tries to use someone other than the last batted out, i.e. to get a faster runner in position, that player will be called out after the first pitch following substitution. Courtesy runners must be for an injured player.

8. There is no running on a dropped third strike.

9. The hit by pitch rule does not apply. However, if an umpire perceives that there is intent on the part of a pitcher, he can award first base to the batter in that instance.

10. All team members must be in the batting order. However, each team member must play the field for at least 3 innings per game. There is no designated hitter rule. A twelve run rule will be in effect at the end of the 5th inning. The game will be declared over if agreed to by the losing manager.

11. A starting pitcher may pitch the whole game. However, once he is replaced by another pitcher, he may not return to pitch. The only exception is if the second pitcher is injured, then he may return.

12. There are 2 bunts allowed per game, with no maximum per inning. A bunt is counted when a bunted ball results in a play, to include a fouled 3rd strike or a foul pop out. A player may not square to bunt, then withdraw and take a full swing. If this happens, the batter will be declared out.

13. All bats must be regulation softball bats. Use of an illegal bat will result in the ejection of the batter using the bat as well as the manager or acting manager of the team. A second infraction will have the same results as well as a one game suspension for both. Painted or altered bats are not to be used. A list of illegal bats will be issued to the managers.

14. Runners may not leave a base until the ball is released by the pitcher. On a "pickoff", the baseman does not have to tag the runner-it is the same as a force play. If the ball is overthrown, the runner must tag the base before advancing.

15. A runner may not initiate a collision with a fielder holding the ball for a tag; such runner will be disqualified from the game if in the judgment of the umpire such collision was avoidable. In all cases, the runner shall be declared out and the ball becomes dead. A runner who has been forced out on a double play attempt must slide or veer out of the way, otherwise contact with the fielder may result in a declaration of a double play by the umpire. Competitive play is encouraged; dirty play is strongly discouraged. A.S.A. rules apply: Slide Avoid or Surrender, additionally: ejected players spot in the batting order will not be out there after.

16. Any disputes with an umpire must be voiced by the manager or designated manager. Any other players who argue with an umpire, for a prolonged period of time, may be disqualified from the game. Example: players who are immediately involved in a dispute play will begin to argue; it's normal. However, it is incumbent upon the manager/designated manager to then take over the argument from the player with the umpire. The manager is responsible for the actions of his players in a dispute. He should advise them accordingly before and during the season.

17. No one will be permitted to play unless he has paid his registration, signed and submitted the appropriate registration/release form. This was rarely enforced in prior years. The appropriate forum for registration and check giving is not the field. It is during the scheduled sign-ups, either in person or via mail. The possibility exists that a team will forfeit its first game if the after-mentioned forms are not in hand.

18. Modified fast pitch will be used-no slingshot and no windmill. Also no arc ball will be allowed. Additionally, an illegal pitch will receive a warning; a second illegal pitch will result in the batter being awarded first base, a third illegal pitch will result in a pitcher's removal from the game.
However, that player may still stay in the game.
1. The pitcher's arm must be between 9 o'clock
2. The pitcher's arm must not go higher than the shoulder (90o from upright position)
3. The pitcher's wrist must not be more than 6" from the hip. The wrist must be inside the elbow.
4. The pitcher's shoulders must be parallel with rubber and the pitcher must present the ball.

19. Each team must have a manager; the manager does not have to be a player. The team should always carry a copy of the rules at each game.

20. Players who arrive after the first pitch of the game must bat at the bottom of the order. It is the player's responsibility to notify his manager in advance if he is unable to attend the game. We are all adults and responsible behavior should not be the exception. If a player misses a number of game which are not health related, then this will be reported to the league president and a decision will be rendered as to whether that person will be allowed to play in the future.

21. All scores must be reported to a designated person after the conclusion of each game. This individual will also have an answering machine in case his/her family is out. The winning team's manager has the responsibility to report this.

22. Playoffs-structure will be determined prior to the start of the season and distributed to all managers.

23. The playoff and championship games will be played the week following the end of the regular season, weather permitting. The only way this cannot occur is if an expanded playoff schedule has been agreed upon by all managers at the start of the season.

24. The Official ASA Softball League Rules Book will be used for decisions and rules not covered by our owe clauses.

25. Good sportsmanship must always be observed. Please remember that his is a recreation league among your friends. At the discretion of the umpire, a player may be disqualified from a game for un-sportsman like play or behavior. Such a disqualification will subject the player to possible banishment from the league, a determination that will be made by the league president upon receipt of all pertinent facts. Fighting will not be tolerated. A review of the situation will be done by the league president who will determine the punishment. Along this line, abusive language, either towards an opposing player, the umpire or a person in the stands will be met with an ejection from the game. Players ejected from the game must leave the field and not return to the stands, and after consulting with the umpire a decision will be rendered by the commissioner as to additional disciplinary actions.

26. A player may play off a team but must enter the draft. If a player plays for a team, then takes a year off from playing for whatever reason, he must go back into the draft and not automatically be given back to his original team as done before. (Fall Season) Only exception is for injury causing player to miss season.

27. A copy of the rules should be in the possession of each manager and designated manager at all games.

28. PROTEST: A protest committee has been established (participants being non-active players). A game may be protested up to end of a game by notifying both the umpire and the opposing team manager. All protests MUST be made during the disputed game to the umpire and opposing manager. NO protests will be considered if filed after the game. Additionally a $50.00 fee will be collected in order that the protest committee consider the questionable play. The fee will be returned if ruling is in favor of the protesting party, the fee will be donated to charity if protest fails. Commissioner will contact 3 or 4 committee members to render a decision.

29. A player who has been throw out of the game can only be replaced by another player from that team. If there are no other players on that team available, then that team must only play with the players that they have. Under no circumstances will they be able to take a player from another team.

30. Fathers, sons, brothers in law, sons in law, and cousins who wish to play together will always be accommodated. However, all new players must be at tryout to be viewed by all managers. If the consensus of the group is that the relative in question would be rated "A" ballplayer, then the team that wants him must use a first round draft choice for him; otherwise, he can be picked up at any point in the draft by the team that wants him with their scheduled selection. Friends will also be accommodated in the same manner. It is understood that intent to cooperate should be the spirit of the league rather than personal benefit.
Spring Addition: The league will try to accommodate friends playing together. A committee consisting of the commissioner and 2 managers (picked by commissioner) will be in place to review any "stacking" of teams. This will allow for more league parity. If commissioner's team or any of the managers on committee are to be reviewed then that manager or commissioner shall be disqualified and replacements picked from other managers.

31. Batting: If a player leaves the game due to an injury or personal reason then that players spot in the order will be skipped and not declared an out for the rest of the game.

32. An official game is one in which at least 5 innings have been played; 4½ if the home team is ahead.

33. Fall League Rules shall be amended to allow out of town players to participate in the league as a player if he has played in the Spring League or Fall League.

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