Flagler Senior Softball

Congratulations Team Flagler…

for winning the 2024 First Coast ISSA, USA Championship in Jacksonville!

Team Flagler was UNDEFEATED in the 70’s AA Division!

Congratulations, great job!

Flagler Senior Softball: Rules

FLAGLER SENIOR SOFTBALL
Updated March 2024

I OBJECTIVES
- The primary objectives of the League are to promote sportsmanship, camaraderie, and healthful competition with safety as an utmost consideration.

II AGE LIMITS
- In the 50+ Division, the league requires that players reach the age of at least 50 during the calendar year they begin play. Additionally, for the 65+ Division, the player must reach the age of 65 during the calendar year of play. Players from the 65+ Division may also opt to play in the 50+ Division. Any exceptions to the age requirements must be presented and approved by the Executive Committee.

III GOVERNANCE
- An Executive Committee (EC) shall consist of six (6) members, three each from the over 65 league and the 50 leagues. Members can be elected for two consecutive three-year terms. Two members will be elected each year to replace those completing a three-year term. Nominations for the open positions on the EC shall be received at a general meeting to which all of the league’s players shall be invited. Elections for EC members (A member of FSS league is anyone that has paid his/her dues for at least one season during a calendar year). The EC shall hold a reorganization meeting within one week of May 1, in which the EC shall elect, by a majority vote of the EC, a league Commissioner. The league commissioner’ term shall be for one year, from May 1 through April 30 of the following year. An EC member may hold consecutive years Commissioner post, if elected. If a member leaves the EC for any reason, the remaining members of the EC may appoint another player to serve until the next election at which time the vacated position will be filled by a vote of the players for the remaining length of the former member’s term. The time served as an appointee shall not count toward the three consecutive years term limit. The calendar year for the EC shall annually commence on May 1. A Treasurer shall be appointed by the EC and shall serve at the discretion of the EC. The Treasurer may also be elected to EC membership following the process outlined above.

IV AMENDMENTS TO THE LEAGUE PLAYING RULES
- Amendments must have the support of the majority of the Executive Committee (EC). The EC is authorized to immediately implement new rules for unforeseen events. Any manager not supportive of any new rules must submit concerns and recommendations to the EC within one week from the date of the new rules being published. The EC will have the final decision on rule interpretation and implementation. An EC member should be present at all games to resolve any disagreements between managers and resolve any protests that may arrive.

V MEETINGS
The EC shall hold a reorganization meeting within one week of May 1, in which the EC shall elect, by a majority vote of the EC, a league Commissioner. The league commissioner’ term shall be for one year, from May 1 through April 30 of the following year. An EC member may hold consecutive years Commissioner post, if elected.

1.There shall be a minimum of 3 EC meetings during the calendar year.
2.There shall be a minimum of 2 General Membership meetings during the calendar year; one held in the Winter season and one held in the Fall season.

VI RULES
- Rules governing play will be taken from these three sources:
. The Official USA Rulebook as amended by the EC;
. The experience and past practices of the League;
. Flagler County regulations governing use of fields, players and general conduct.

1. A 170-foot (65+ only) arc will be marked in the outfield. The four (4) Outfielders will not be permitted to position themselves inside the arc until the ball is hit. The middle infielder will be allowed to play anywhere. In 65+, no players positioned beyond the arc (including the Middle Fielder) can throw a runner out at first base.

2.Protests must be made in writing to the EC within 48 hours after completion of the game.
3.A foul tip that is caught by the catcher shall result in an out. The foul tip can be on any strike count (0, 1 or 2 strikes) and need not be over the batter’s head.
4.The Pitching Rubber will be located 50 feet from home plate. The Pitcher’s foot must be in contact with the Rubber when the ball is released (pitched) to home plate.
5.The use of a pitching screen is mandatory for all Divisions in Flagler Senior Softball. The screen will be placed no more than 4 feet in front of the pitcher’s rubber and adjusted left or right to allow the pitcher to throw in a legal fashion. The Pitcher must step behind the screen immediately after releasing the ball. If the Pitcher fails to step behind the screen and fields the batted ball, the batter will be awarded first base. Any batted ball that hits the screen will be a dead ball and recorded as a strike on the batter. No runner may advance. A batted ball that hits the screen and is the third strike on the batter will result in the batter being called out on strikes.
A batted ball that deflects off the pitcher and hits the screen will be considered live and in play. Any thrown ball that hits the screen will be considered live and in play.
5. Intentional Walks. In the 50+, a batter may be intentionally walked without throwing a pitch by letting the umpire know of the Manager’s intention. In the 65+, no intentional walks will be permitted before the 6th inning of play.
VII PLAYER DRAFT
- Players are drafted each season by the managers and are rated in the order they are drafted. Players then are placed in brackets depending when they were drafted , 1-2 A bracket 3-4 B bracket 5-6-7 C bracket All others D bracket .

VIII SCHEDULE OF GAMES

1. All games will be played in accordance with the schedule published at the start of league play. If a game must be canceled to unavoidable circumstances, both managers can agree to reschedule a game. 2. Game start times will be listed on the schedule published prior to the start of the season.

One (1) league member will be responsible for checking the weather conditions and field conditions at fields on scheduled playing days. If the games are not cancelled and the conditions are such that a short delay will allow for safer and more comfortable play, the managers, upon arrival at the field, may agree to start the first game up to thirty (30) minutes later than the scheduled start time. A second game will then follow immediately after the completion of the first game. If the managers cannot start the game after the thirty (30) minutes delay because the conditions have not improved, ALL games scheduled for that day will be cancelled.
3. Teams should be ready to play 15 minutes before scheduled game times. A ten minute late start grace period is allowed for a game.
4. Postponed games will be rescheduled at a time agreed to by both managers and approved by the EC. The rescheduled game shall be played as soon as possible to ensure that the planned numbers of games are played.

5. All games have a time limit and no new innings can start after I hour and 15 minuets of play.

IX GAME LINEUP

1. Games will consist of seven (7) innings of regulation play. Each manager shall prepare and document his/her batting order. The lineup must include all roster players present and able to play. All players arriving to play are to be listed in the scorebook by the manager and shall bat in turn. In the 65 Division, if there are 2 or more players that cannot play any field position other than Catcher, a team may pick up a 12th player ranked 8 through 12 to play the game. The 2 Catchers can split the fielding behind the plate.

Players arriving after the first pitch of a game will be listed at the bottom of the batting order. Every player on a team’s roster who appears for a game on time (first pitch) shall be used as a defensive player for at least three (3) complete innings. Any player who arrives late must play at least three innings or one half of the game’s remaining innings. Failure to comply with this rule will result in forfeiture of the game if a protest by the opposing manager is upheld by the EC.
2. Managers may elect to be in the submitted batting order, bat in turn, but not play defense for the normal three innings minimum. If a manager elects not to be on the submitted batting lineup, he cannot play defense unless a team injury requires him to play.
3. A team will use eleven defensive players (an exception is rule number 4 regarding our 50 Division) and bat their entire roster, but will not start a game with fewer than eight players. The opposing manager will be advised of all absent players as soon as practical preferably before arriving at the field on game day. If the opposing team has more than eleven players present, they may offer a substitute to bring their opponent up to eight. Both managers must approve all substitute players.
4. In our 50 Division, due to the lack of registered payers, a team may use only 10 defensive players with the opposing team providing a Catcher (for defensive purposes only).

5. The substitute player will be the same Bracket or lower than the missing player. Should the replaced player arrive later, he will move into the lineup in the substitute’s position (batting order) and the substitute will leave the game. Substitutes may be used at any defensive position. If managers cannot agree on a substitute player, the disagreement will be resolved by a member of the EC. 6. A team is not eligible for substitute or additional players unless it has ten or fewer players from its assigned team roster available to play or expected to play.* Except for the two catcher scenario in rule 1* 7. A substitute player can be placed anywhere in the batting order. (Does not have to bat last.) 8. If a starting player must leave the game for any appropriate reason, the substitute, if allowed, will bat in the player’s spot in the lineup. If a player had to leave the field/game for personal reasons, he shall be allowed to re-enter the game. If the player returns prior to the end of the current game, he shall be allowed to re-enter at the same batting position. If the absent player’s position comes to bat prior to his return and there is no substitute, an out shall be recorded. When the starting player returns, he will resume his spot in the lineup and the substitute will leave the game. A starting player who leaves a game for an appropriate reason may return only once during that game. 9. Any manager who discourages player attendance or promptness or who allows the faking of injuries in order to field a “better” team contrary to the League’s objectives will be replaced without warning by the EC.

X COURTESY RUNNER

1.In the 50 Division, a courtesy runner will not be allowed from the plate. A batter reaching base may have a courtesy runner if he/she so chooses. Our players are encouraged to run after reaching base as we are a recreational league and will maximize exercise and allow for the experience of all facets of the game. In the 65+ Division, to receive a courtesy runner from the plate, the need must be approved by the managers and conveyed to the umpire prior to the start of the game or at the time an injury occurs during the game. Eligibility for a courtesy runner from home plate (65 Division) is exclusively for a player whose base running ability is impeded by chronic disability or temporary injury that precludes running.
2.In the 65+ Division, for each at bat, the player authorized a courtesy runner from the plate may elect to either use the runner or run for himself.
3. (65 Division) Until the ball is hit, the courtesy runner from the plate must hold a position no closer to 1st base than the designated line or painted mark on the backstop. That line will be 6 feet behind a line that is an extension of the 3B foul line that is drawn to the backstop. This runner shall be positioned with both feet behind that line. A first violation of this rule will generate a warning; subsequent violations in a game by the same runner will cause the batter to be called out.
4. (65 Division) A courtesy runner from the plate will count as a courtesy for that inning if he successfully reaches base. If he fails to reach base (batter is declared out), this runner will not count as a courtesy runner for that inning. A courtesy runner from the plate cannot run beyond second base regardless of where the ball ends up with the exception of a ball being hit over the fence whereby the courtesy runner is entitled to complete the home run. Runners on base at the time can take as many bases as they can reach.
5. In the 50 Division, a player injured during the game and cannot run should be replaced with a substitute. The managers must approve the sub if that player is not on the injured team’s roster.
6. A courtesy runner can run only once each inning.
7. Substitutes and/or courtesy runners for a runner who has reached base must be made prior to pitching to the next batter and may be made at any base.
8. If a player is injured (pulled hamstring, etc.) while running the bases and is safe at a given base, an emergency runner may be substituted and will not count as a courtesy runner for that inning.
9. A courtesy runner may not have a replacement runner unless an injury occurs. In our 50 Division, if the courtesy runner is scheduled to bat and is on base, that runner will be declared out. The runner may then bat in the proper lineup spot if there are less than three outs.  If the out is the third out, the runner may bat in their proper lineup spot to start the next inning. There is no prohibition in our 65 Division regarding substituting a new courtesy runner for a courtesy runner that is scheduled to bat.
10. In the 65 Division, in extra inning games, the batter making the last out from the previous inning starts the extra inning on second base, a pinch runner is permitted only in the case where that batter had a courtesy runner in the previous inning.

XI BASE RUNNING SAFETY RULES

1. 1st base: The runner must touch the outer base (orange) whenever a play is contested and the fielder must touch the inner base (white) to record an out. 2. Runners may not create contact with a defensive player to impede a play. Violations will cause the runner to be called out. Runners must use every effort to avoid colliding with opposing players while running the bases. 3. Throw interference: When running to any base, an out will be recorded if the umpire determines that a runner intentionally interfered with a throw. A runner may not disrupt a potential double play by physical contact or deliberately running into the intended path of the relay throw. The oncoming runner must either slide or veer left or right away from the defensive player’s throwing lane. Failure to do so will result in the runner being called out and also the next base runner CLOSEST TO HOME PLATE being called out (double play). If the defensive player does not make the play cleanly the runner who veered will be declared safe . 4. Scoring: A run shall be scored when a runner passes third base and reaches/steps on or past the scoring line or plate prior to the ball arriving and being caught by a defensive player who is in contact with the batter’s home plate or mat (the mat may be legal only when it completely covers home plate) provided that other runners either reach base safely or do not make the third out of the inning on a force play. If the third out of the inning occurs on other than a force play, it is the umpire’s decision as to whether the runner safely reached home prior to the third out being made. 5. Commitment Line: All outs at home plate are force outs. The commitment line is set across the foul line 20 feet from the batter’s home plate, perpendicular to 3rd base. Once a runner has touched the line or the ground beyond, he must continue toward the scoring plate. Any return crossing of the line is an automatic out, the ball remains live for any other play at any base or home plate and all defensive players need no longer be concerned about the runner who is out by the return crossing of the commitment line. If the runner has passed the commitment line and continues running on the original foul line and interferes with the fielder taking the throw at or in contact with the original home plate, a dead ball should be declared and the runner is out. After a runner crosses the commitment line, he cannot be tagged out by any defensive player. If a defensive player tags or attempts to tag a runner who has crossed the commitment line, an obstruction will be called and the runner is safe. 6. Verbal interference: No player shall verbally declare a decision reserved for the umpire (foul ball, infield fly, etc.) that causes defensive or offensive players to be confused (freeze in their respective positions). If this occurs, umpires will immediately call “time out” and award all runners the next base. No outs will be recorded. If a defensive player is verbally confused (verbally distracted from making a play) the umpire will determine the result minus the distraction, and rule accordingly. The player violating this rule will be given one warning. Subsequent violations will result in ejection from the game.

XII RUN LIMITS
1. For the first Six innings, no more than five runs can be scored by any team in an inning.
2. The “mercy” rule shall stop a scheduled game when a twelve run or greater lead exists after the losing team has batted in at least five innings. There is no Flip Flop rule in Flagler Senior Softball.
3. In the seventh and subsequent inning of any game, there is no scoring limit.
4. In the event of a tie game after regulation play, the International Tie Breaker Rule will apply. The runner assigned to 2nd base at the start of all extra innings will be the batter-runner (player at bat) when the last out was made in the prior inning. If a runner from home plate was the courtesy runner when the last out of the prior inning was made, this runner will be assigned to 2nd base. No substitute or courtesy runner may replace this runner until this runner has reached third base.

XIII APPEALS
1. Appeals to the umpire regarding ball and strike calls are not permitted.
2. Calls at home and third base are the responsibility of the home plate umpire. If blocked or in doubt, the home plate umpire has the option of asking the base umpire for help. Calls at first and second base are the responsibility of the base umpire (if present). If in doubt the base umpire has the option of asking the home plate umpire for help. If, after consultation on a play, the results are inconclusive, the original call of a responsible umpire stands.
3. Appeals of a player leaving a base too soon may be made by any player, with or without possession of the ball. The umpire will rule safe or out. Time out is in effect and runners may not advance during the appeal.
4. With two umpires working, a manager may request the umpire responsible for the call to seek the other umpire’s opinion. (not considered an appeal) The challenged umpire must accept the manager’s request and confer with the other umpire.
5. Only the manager may challenge a league or USA rule interpretation. Other players may not be involved in the discussion.

XIV UMPIRES

1. Umpiring assignments will be designated by the League as part of the schedule of games. Prior to the start of the season, a pool of umpires will be formed consisting of league players who have volunteered to umpire games when their team is not scheduled to be playing a game. Each team shall designate at least two team members as volunteer umpires. The Executive

Committee will appoint one (1) league member as an umpire coordinator. In the event that a team is unable to provide umpires for an assigned game, the coordinator will assign two (2) umpires from the pool of umpires to each game scheduled to be played.
2. The team Managers have the final authority to resolve conflicts except games played under protest. Managers cannot overrule an umpire’s judgment call. League assigned umpire’s “judgment” calls are not the basis for appeals.

XV PLAYER MISCONDUCT

1. Any player involved in fighting or excessive arguments will be ejected and subject to further discipline as directed by the EC. The ejected player must leave the dugout and the field complex immediately. 2. Following the ejection, the player’s spot in the lineup will be open and will be an automatic out for the rest of the game. The ejected player may also be suspended from his team’s next game and no replacement will be permitted, i.e., the team plays with 10 players. 3. If a player is ejected for a second time during a season, he will be suspended for the remainder of the season.