Harold Meehan Memorial Softball League
Rules and By-Laws
2011

1. The league will follow USSSA Rules with the exception of the following league rules, in which they will supercede USSSA.
2. There will be a six (6) home-run limit that will become progressive when the opposing team matches six (6) home-runs and continues as such for the remainder of the game.
3. There will be a mercy rule instituted when:

a.   Twenty (20) runs after three (3) complete innings

1. Fifteen (15) runs after five (5) complete innings
2. Twelve (12) runs after six (6) complete innings
3. The home team does not have to bat if the visiting team goes ahead by twenty (20) runs in the top of the forth or fifth inning.
4. The home team does not have to bat if the visiting team goes ahead by fifteen (15) runs in the top of the sixth inning.
5. The home team does not have to bat if the visiting team goes ahead by twelve (12) runs in the top of the seventh inning.
6. Sunday morning league, fifteen (15) runs after five (5) complete innings only.
7. A uniform rule will be in effect as follows:
1. Each team must have matching team hats and team shirts. The color of the shirt must be the same, but the team logo does not have to be exact. If a player does not have a team hat, one does not have to be worn in order to play, however, any hats that are worn must be the “team” hat.
2. The penalty for missing a team shirt will be an automatic out for said player(s).

1. Any player who is ejected from a game will automatically be suspended for a minimum of one (1) game.  After three offenses in one season, said player is done participating for that season.
1. Depending on the nature of the ejection, league officials will determine if further action needs to be applied.
2. Sunday Morning players will serve the remaining games on that week and also the (2) games the following week.
3. Any Night League player, who intentionally throws a bat, will automatically be suspended for three (3) games. Sunday Morning players will serve the remaining games that week and the following (6) games.  If there was potential for injury due to this outburst, an additional levy of one game per foot the bat has traveled will be added.

ANY SUSPENSION IF SEVERE WILL BE ENFORCED TO ALL TEAMS THAT THE PLAYER IS ON!!!!
REMIND YOUR PLAYERS TO CONTROL THEMSELVES!

1. The Somerset Recreation & Parks Department prohibits the consumption of alcohol on any of its grounds.  Violators will be suspended.
2. Each Coach is responsible for their players’ conduct.
3. Each team may have as many as fifteen (15) batters in the line-up.
4. Each team roster will be “frozen” as of June 1st, with a maximum of twenty-five (25) players.
5. Home team must sit in the first base dugout and take care of the scoreboard. The home team of the first game is responsible for taking out the bases and the scoreboard numbers.  The home team of the last game is responsible for putting away the bases and the scoreboard numbers.
1. The home team is the second team listed on the schedule for each game.
6. The team who hits a foul ball or homerun is responsible for retrieving balls. If team refuses to do such, the umpire has the authority to issue a penalty to that team.
7. NO HITTING THE BALL AGAINST ANY PART OF THE FENCE. IF CAUGHT YOU WILL SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE RULES.
8. There is a three (3) ball, two (2) strike counts with one foul to “waste” after the first strike.
9.   USSSA pitching rules are now in effect.

1. In order to qualify for playoffs, each player must appear in fourteen (14) games during the (night league) season; ten (10) games during the (Sunday morning league) season.
2. Any and all protests will be managed and decided by league officials.
3. In case of inclement weather, rain-outs will be called off by 5:15 PM. If the first game of the evening is called off, then all remaining games for that day are called off as well.
4. Any make-up games may be added during the current season and/or at the end of the season.
5. There is a “grace period” of (15) minutes from start time for the first game of the day.
1.   If each team has nine (9) players, they must start the game.
2. On Sunday morning games, a “grace period” of fifteen (15) minutes from the start time for the first game scheduled of the day. 
1. If the first game is a forfeit, the second game will have a start time of 9:30 AM or both games will be considered a forfeit.
6. Teams will be required to turn in a line-up ten (10) minutes before the scheduled start of the game.
7. The same number of players that start in the line-up must finish in the line-up.  Any ejected players must be replaced by substitute(s) available on the bench.
1. If one player is ejected, that position in the line-up will be an automatic out only if there is no substitute left on the bench.
2. If two players are ejected, then the game ends in a forfeit, even if there are remaining substitutes left on the bench.
3. In an emergency situation only, a player may leave before the top of the fourth inning; otherwise, after the fourth inning it will be an automatic out.
4. In case of injury, the player does not have to be replaced (if there are no players on the bench), and there will not be a penalty of an out issued.
8. Only single-walled bats will be allowed.
1. Any questions see league officials; don’t spend the money if you are not sure.
2. If an illegal bat is used, game will be an automatic forfeit; player responsible will be subject to suspension.
3. League officials reserve the right to confiscate any bat that is believed to have been tampered with to be sent out for testing.
1. If guilty of said offense, player is automatically banned for life, as well as putting their team in jeopardy of banishment.
2. If a player refuses to turn over the suspect bat, he will automatically be assumed guilty and suffer aforementioned consequences.
9. Each Night League team may use 2 courtesy runners per game. Sunday Morning League may have unlimited runners as long as both coaches

                  agree before the game.

1. Players who need a runner must stay at first base. Once a batter passes first base he loses the runner for that turn only. If the runner refuses a runner at anytime he will not have one for the rest of the game.
2. Runners must be announced before the game starts. This is only for injured players and not for slow runners. If you abuse this rule it will be taken away from your team.
3. All runners will be the last made out.
4. Any verbal, physical or abuse of any kind to league officials, scorers, and /or umpires will result in a minimum of fourteen (14) game suspensions.  Coaches are asked again to control their players or they too will be subject to suspension.
5. Teams must clean up their messes. If you do not, the players will be   suspended for minimum of (5) games. If this continues your team will be thrown out of the league.

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