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WCASI abides by the ASA rulebook with modifications as noted below. ASA also has more new rules and clarifications than what is listed below. ASA rule books are available to registered teams
New for 2008 (shaded)
- Courtesy Runner Rule: The last out will be the courtesy runner. NO EXCEPTIONS. If the courtesy runner in on base when his/her turn at bat comes, an out will occur. Teams abusing the courtesy runner rule may be subjected to loss of use of a courtesy runner and/or forfeit the game. If there are no outs (first inning only) the runner shall be the last batter in the batting order. MIXED LEAGUE: The courtesy runner must be of the same gender.
- Illegal player penalty: If a team is caught with an illegal player the team will lose all previous wins plus that game. The illegal player will be suspended from further play for any team for a seven (7) day period. A second offense or playing during the suspension will result in the suspension of the player for the remainder of the season.
- Illegal bat penalty: If a batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat, that batter is out. The bat will be taken out of play. Thereafter, any team member who enters the field of play with an illegal bat will be disqualified from further play in that game.
- Alcoholic beverages are not to be consumed during the game. Anyone found drinking any alcoholic beverage during his/her game will be disqualified from further play in that game and may face suspension from future games.
- Proof of Walnut Creek Residency Required for all team members using a Walnut Creek address on the roster. See Sec. 11(3).
SECTION 1 - LEAGUE RULES -2008
All Walnut Creek Adult Softball, Inc. (hereafter "WCASI") sponsored programs are operated in accordance with the policies of the Walnut Creek Parks and Recreation Commission, Walnut Creek Leisure Services Department and the Walnut Creek Adult Softball Board of Directors (hereafter the Board). An entry fee and applicable non-resident and assessment fees will be charged to cover the cost of the program and will be due on the date specified by the board.
SECTION 2 - TEAM Top
1. The team roster must list each and every player. Team rosters must have a minimum of 10 players. Non-playing managers must also sign the roster but will not be included in the totals. Every member on the team roster must sign an Agreement and Release of Liability form prior to playing in any Walnut Creek Adult Softball game. Failure to do so will result in automatic forfeiture of each game in which the violator(s) participated.
2. Additional players may be added by the following method: The player or his/her manager submitting by hand a WCASI roster addition form in duplicate directly to the Commissioner, Asst. Commissioner or WCASI representative in the Commissioner's office with the applicable fee . Roster additions must be complete and delivered personally. Any incomplete roster addition form will be returned to the team manager and the added players will not be considered eligible players until the form is completed. Incomplete additions (including non-payment) may result in disqualification of that player from further play. Players may be added up to and including the teams last scheduled game.
3. Eligibility for Playoffs:
Summer league: players must play in at least 5 league games to qualify for post-season play.
Fall League: Players must play in at least two (2) league games to qualify for playoffs.
EXCEPTION: Commissioner or Asst. Commissioner has the authority to make exceptions to this rule for the good of the league on a case by case basis.
4. Forfeits shall be called for non-appearance and tardiness, and may be called for flagrant violation of rules and regulations of the league. After a team's third forfeiture, (second forfeit in the fall season) the team may be suspended from league play for the remainder of the season. Note: (See Section F). A minimum of eight players are required to avoid a team forfeit.
5. EXCEPTION: The 6:00 p.m. games scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday only will be allowed a 10-minute grace period. If used, the 10 minutes will be taken off the game time.
6. Borrowing players: A team having only 7 players at game time may borrow 1 player, if necessary, to prevent a forfeit. No more than one may be borrowed and must remain the same player throughout the game. The borrowed player MUST be from the opposing team and ONLY with the approval of the opposing team's manager or representative. If the game is played under these circumstances, all other rules apply and the game result will stand. Protests of any sort regarding this rule will not be considered. The borrowed player may return to their original team at any point, at the end of their lineup, during the game should enough players from the borrowing team arrive during the game to fill out a legal line up (8 players). The courtesy catcher rule applies. The purpose of this rule is an attempt to prevent a forfeit and have a legal game played. The implementation of this rule is dependent solely upon the request and permission of the managers or representatives.
7. An individual may play for more than one team in this association as follows:
Individuals may play for more than one team as long as they are registered on each team with appropriate fees paid and remain in one league classification, i.e. A,B,C, or D. AND in separate divisions. Teams playing with any non-rostered player(s) may be subject to forfeiting all games played. Teams may play on more than one night as long as they stay in the same classification. NOTE: A player may play in two different classifications in 2008, if that player was on the rosters of two same classified teams in 2007 and one of those teams changed classifications in 2008. See below for other exception. A player may not play on a team more than one classification difference when playing on a coed team and either a men's or women's team. All games in which any discovered player has participated may be forfeited and that player may be removed from one or both rosters.
8. Scheduling conflicts due to playing on more than one team in this league or in any other league or tournament will not be resolved by WCASI and will be solely the responsibility of the player.
9. Men and women are not eligible for each others respective leagues. EXCEPTION: WOMEN MAY PLAY IN THE OVER 40 LEAGUE FOLLOWING THE SAME CRITERIA AS ALL OTHER OVER 40 PLAYERS.
10. A team may have one player from another classification that is not more than one classification level difference, i.e.
1 "B" player on a "C" team, or
1 "C" player on a "D" team. or
1 ”D”player on a “C” team or
1 ”C”player on a “B” team
The above classifications apply to men’s leagues only, NOT Coed or Men's Over 40 leagues
11. If any team is found to be playing with an illegal player(s) (i.e. player(s) not listed on the official roster, or playing under another person’s name), ALL games won up to and including the game being played will be forfeited and the standings will be changed accordingly for that team. The win/loss record for all opponents in previous games will not be affected.
SECTION 3 - INJURIES Top
The City of Walnut Creek and WCASI are not liable for any injuries incurred by players, spectators or officials while participating in or being present at any WCASI sponsored event.
SECTION 4 - PLAYER ELIGIBILITY Top
1. Players may not accept money to play.
2. Players must be at least 18 years of age when they sign the roster. EXCEPTION: Players in the Men's Over 40 league must be at least 40 years of age during the calendar year.
3. Any USSSA or ASA Major, Class "AA" or Class "A" player may not play in any division lower than "A". EXCEPTION: See coed rules for classification of coed players.
4. Players are required to carry valid identification, i.e. driver's license, ID card, to all games and to show same is requested by WCASI representatives to verify eligibility. Failure to provide acceptable proof of identify at the time requested will be sufficient cause to declare player or players ineligible or illegal.
5. Commissioner and/or Asst. Commissioner have final approval as to player qualification and eligibility. Commissioner and/or Asst. Commissioner may elect to move and/or disqualify players from participating in a league not suited to the player's skill level.
SECTION 5 - PROTESTS Top
Notification that a protest is to be filed must be given to the umpire at the time of the disputed decision immediately and before the next pitch. The umpire, upon receiving such notification, shall follow ASA procedures on protests and shall immediately notify the scorekeeper of the protest. Within 24 hours of the conclusion of the game, a written report of the protested rule(s) violated must be filed with the league office. The written protest shall be signed by the team manager or representative.
SECTION 6 - FIELD RULES Top
1. The umpire assigned to the game shall have complete authority over the player, coaches, and the game at all times. The umpire shall have the authority to order any player, coach or manager out of the game or off the field for unsportsmanlike conduct. Lack of compliance or further abuse by the individual ejected, either on or off the playing field, will be subject to action by the Commissioner or Asst. Commissioner and/or Board and could result in expulsion of the offender from the league. No one will question an umpire concerning rules and decisions other than the team manager. An umpire will submit a written report on the ejected individual to the league office within 48 hours.
2. A player who has left the game as a result of an ejection and is not replaced by a substitute shall be counted as an out each time that player is scheduled to bat in the batting order. The scorekeeper shall notify the umpire when the ejected player's turn at bat occurs. Injured players may be removed from the game with no penalty and they may not return to the line-up during the course of the game. Abuse of the injured player rule may result in forfeiture of the game.
3. No team shall leave the field during progress of play or refuse when directed by the umpire to continue play, under penalty of forfeiture of the game.
4. Only rostered players, coaches and managers are allowed on the field and in the dugout. All spectators, including the children of participants, shall be kept off the field and out of the players' benches at all times.
5. The manager of every team will be responsible for the conduct of the players before, during and after every scheduled game while on the recreational facility. In addition, the manager of every team will be responsible for the conduct of anyone related to that particular team. This includes players, coaches, assistant managers and fans.
SECTION 7 - RULES OF PLAY Top
The basic rules of play will be the current edition of ASA rules with local modifications. All registered teams will be issued an ASA rule book.
1. All leagues will use the 3-2 count
2. Length of game: Seven innings or 1 hour and 5 minutes, whichever comes first. No new inning will begin 1 hour after the official starting time, but all innings started will be played to completion. EXCEPTION : In the event the lights go off during the game, the score will revert back to the completion of the previous inning and the game will be considered completed if a minimum of 45 minutes have been played. This will apply only if the home team has not scored more runs than the visitor.
3. PLAYOFFS: In the event the lights should go out, or any other unusual circumstance should prevent the game from being completed on the same day, the Commissioners office will reschedule at the convenience of the league.
4. HOMERUNS: (applies to Field #3 only)
THE MEN'S "B" and "C" PROGRAMS, THE OVER 40 COMPETETIVE, andTHE MIXED (COED) “B” and “C” WILL BE ALLOWED ONE UNASSISTED HOME RUN PER TEAM PER GAME. After the first and only allowable homerun, the next two will be an out, dead ball and no runners advance. Should there be a fourth “unassisted” home run the team will forfeit the game, receiving 0 runs.
By definition a “UNASSISTED HOMERUN” is a ball which may pass through or over the fence on ball field #3 only. If a ball comes back into play it is to be considered a “live” ball and playable. “UNASSISTED HOMERUNS” ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE MEN'S "D",THE OVER 40 RECREATIONAL (D) OR MIXED(COED) “D” PROGRAMS
Any violation (abuse) of this rule may subject a player to ejection as well as team forfeiture.
5. Run Rule- If a team is trailing by 15 or more runs after 5 completed innings of play, the game will be called as completed.
6. All games may begin prior to the scheduled starting time if all officials are ready and both managers give their consent. The official's watch will be considered official time.
7. When a base runner is attempting to score a run from third base, and has touched or passed the two-thirds line, the defensive team need only touch home plate with the ball in their possession in order to make the out. If the base runner has advanced two-thirds of the distance to home plate from third base he/she must continue to home plate and cannot return to third base. EXCEPTION : Base runner may return on a caught fly/foul tag-up situation.
8. A scoring line will be used in OVER 40, MEN'S "D" and COED programs only.
When using a scoring line players are required to score by crossing over the scoring line; the out can only be made by the defensive player touching home plate before the runner crosses over the scoring line and makes contact with the ground. If a runner touches home plate, the runner will be out. EXCEPTION : A player is allowed to touch home plate in a dead ball situation. NO TAGGING at the plate. The purpose of this rule is to prevent any physical contact between the catcher or defensive player and the runner. The runner is expected to veer to the far right of home plate. If, in the umpire's judgment, the runner attempts to distract or intimidate the catcher (or defensive player making the play) by running too close to home plate the runner will be called out.
9. A minimum of 8 players and a maximum of 10 defensive players may be positioned on the playing field. A courtesy catcher must be provided if a team has only eight players. EXCEPTION: The Men's Over-40 may have a maximum of 11 defensive players.
10. A maximum of 20 players may bat. Once the batting order has been established, any player on the original batting order, not listed as a substitute, may enter the field defensively as many times as desired. All players listed on the batting order must bat. Late arrivals can only be added to the bottom of the batting order up to the end of the 4th inning. After the completion of the 4th inning, late arrivals can be added to the bottom of the batting order up to the defensive player limit. All other late arrivals shall become subs.
11. Once handed to the scorekeeper the lineup card is the official batting order. No changes shall be made after the start of the game (except late arrivals). PENALTY: If a player’s name is scratched from the lineup after being handed in, and there is no substitute on the lineup card, that position in the batting order becomes an out.
12. Courtesy Runner Rule: The last out will be the courtesy runner. NO EXCEPTIONS. If the courtesy runner in on base when his/her turn at bat comes, an out will occur. Teams abusing the courtesy runner rule may be subjected to loss of use of a courtesy runner and/or forfeit the game. If there are no outs (first inning only) the runner shall be the last batter in the batting order. MIXED LEAGUE: The courtesy runner must be of the same gender.
13. Any player ejected from a game is automatically suspended from further participation in any WCASI games and must appear before the Commissioner, Asst. Commissioner or their representative and also may be required to appear before the Board. Such appearance must be made before playing in any future WCASI games. Failure to appear will result in player being ineligible for the remainder of the season (including playoffs). Eligibility will not be reinstated until an appearance is made and the case decided.
14. Mixed (coed) teams will be issued additional rules.
SECTION 8 - CONDUCT CODE Top
1. Players will not at any time lay a hand on, push, shove, strike, physically or verbally abuse or threaten in any manner an official, player or fan. Players will not refuse to abide by an official's decision. Players should not drink alcoholic beverages or use illegal substances before their game and if witnessed doing so can be denied the right to play in the game. This will be decided by the umpires or WCASI . Alcohol may not be consumed during the game.
2. CASUAL PROFANITY
Casual profanity is defined as the use of profanity, vulgarities or offensive language uttered loudly enough so as to be heard by other players, umpires, fans or spectators. The use of such profanity need not be specifically directed to any one person to be considered offensive. Officials may eject players who use casual profanity. This written explanation of the rule constitutes a first warning to all teams. No further warning need be issued before ejection.
SECTION 9 - PRE-GAME WARM-UP Top
While a game is in progress all players warming up for the next game shall do so outside of the playing field and within designated areas. For safety reasons, no throwing is allowed on the cement areas.
SECTION 10 - WCASI TEAM PRIORITY POLICY Top
The policy of WCASI, in an effort to accommodate more Walnut Creek residents, will maintain the following registration procedures based on the percentage of the Walnut Creek residents:
Priority 1 Returning teams with 75% residents or better
Priority 2 New teams with 75% residents or better
Priority 3 Returning teams with 50% residents or better
Priority 4 New teams with 50% residents or better
Priority 5 Returning teams with less than 50% residents
Priority 6 New teams with less than 50% residents
Returning teams are defined as teams with at least 50% of previous year's roster players.
SECTION 11 - ROSTER AND WALNUT CREEK RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS Top
1. A legal roster will include all information asked for including unlisted telephone numbers. Information must be correct as of the roster date.
2. A current Walnut Creek resident address is defined as the house or apartment that you own or rent presently, within the Walnut Creek mailing limits. Students or those with temporary jobs out of the area when the roster is due may use parents' address. Business addresses may not be used. Any roster found to contain errors (i.e.) incorrect address, business address used as a home address, etc.) will automatically move that team to the lowest priority for determining league eligibility.
3. Verification of Walnut Creek address will be required and the following items will be accepted:
a. Current credit account bills
b. Current utility bills
c. Current bank statement
d. Copy of California Driver’s License or ID card issued by the DMV
e. Any other Board requirement that require address verification
1. If a male player is walked, intentionally or not, he will go to second base. If there are less than two outs, the next female batter must bat. If there are two outs, she has the option of hitting or walking. If she steps into the batter’s box, she must complete the at-bat.
2. Defensive players may play in any position
3. The minimum number of players is eight. A minimum of three (3) males are required. A team may not play with more males than females defensively. Therefore, if a team has only 4 females, no more than 4 males may play defensively. If a team has a fifth male player, he may play as a courtesy catcher, with the sole function of returning the ball to the pitcher.
4. Male and female players must alternate in the batting order; no two males may bat in succession. In the event of more female players, all players in the batting order must bat before the first batter is allowed to bat again. The extra females may bat, back to back, in any part of the batting order.
5. An eleven inch (11”) softball will be used when a female is batting and a twelve inch (12”) softball will be used for male batters. It is an appeal play if the wrong ball is used.
6. All outfielders must stay at least 175 feet from home plate (a line will be marked on the field) until the ball is hit or crosses the plate. Infraction of this rule will result in batter being awarded first base.
7. Courtesy runners must be the last out and of the same gender. If no outs, then it will be the last batter in the line-up, of the same sex.
8. A scoring line will be used in Men’s Over 40, Men's "D" and mixed (coed) league play. (Fall league is different than Summer, check rules that apply). Players are required to score by crossing over the scoring line and making contact with the ground. The out can only be made by the defensive player touching home plate before the runner crosses over the scoring line i.e. NO TAGGING . If a runner touches home plate, the runner will be out. EXCEPTION: A player is allowed to touch home plate in a dead ball situation (i.e. walk, runners advance due to ball out of play situation). The purpose of this rule is to prevent any physical contact between the catcher or defensive player and the runner. The runner is expected to veer to the far right of home plate. If, in the umpire's judgment, the runner attempts to distract or intimidate the catcher (or defensive player making the play) by running to close to home plate the runner will be called out.
9. MULTI-WALLED BATS (HIGH PERFORMANCE BATS) ARE ILLEGAL IN ALL MIXED PROGRAMS. The DeMarini Ultimate Weapon single-wall bat will be used in all mixed leagues only. The League will furnish bats.
10. The mixed "D" league should only be comprised of novice and/or less experienced players. No tournament players should be playing in mixed "D" The Commissioner's office reserves the right to disqualify players based on skill level or experience.
11. The Mixed "B" and "C" will be allowed one unassisted over the fence home run per game. See Rule 7, section 4 for clarification and penalty.
12. The Mixed "D" program is not allowed any unassisted over the fence home runs. An out will be called for each one. See Rule 7, section 4 for clarification and penalty. Any abuse of this rule may result in forfeiture.
13. COED PLAYER CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES Top
MIXED "B" or "C" should be comprised of Men's or Women's A-B-C players
MIXED "D" should be comprised of Men's "D" or Women's "C or"D" players
