Rules

BEN FRANKLIN SOFTBALL
LEAGUE

BEN FRANKLIN LEAGUE RULES FOR 2011

* Denotes new for 2011

1. All players who play in the Ben Franklin League must be on your roster. Roster moves must be approved by the League Office.

2. All players must have at least 8 games played, to qualify for the playoffs.

3. Zero Tolerance for fighting, 1st offense, out the next 2 games 2^nd offense, 1 year suspension to date

4. *The no profanity rule will be used by the league. Use of profanity will result in an out called as a delayed dead ball out.

E.g. Bases Load with 1 out and the batter hits a 1 hopper to the pitcher. Pitcher throws to first get the batter out then the batter screams the f-word. Batter is out
(2nd out of inning) by result of the play and then the team is awarded and out for the swearing (3rd out of the inning). Then all runners will go back to there
base prior to the play; resulting in zero runs scored and inning is over.

Profanity out WILL carry over to the next inning.

5. One courtesy runner per game. This player can have the courtesy runner for him all games, but no other player is allowed to have a courtesy runner at any other time in that game.

6. A team may start a game with at least 9 players and not take an out, but could end the game with 8, in that case must take an out.

7. Run rule. The league has adopted the 20/15/10 run rule. 20 runs after 3 innings, 15 runs after 4 innings and 10 runs after 5 innings.

8. Umpire fees are $25.00 per game.

9. All teams qualify for the playoffs. (One 9 inning game)

10- All playoff games will be at Gaston and Progressive.

11. The fields have a new Pro - Choice finish, therefore the city will make the call on postponements.

12. Please call the umpire hotline Steve Fee, at 651-6352 to check on the status of your game.

13. All playoff balls and umpires will be provided by the league.

14. If a player is ejected he is required to sit out the next two games.

15. The Ben Franklin league will pay out division and playoff monies.

16. Bat restrictions (no titanium bats)

Ben Franklin Softball League Bat Policy

Non approved bat list with pictures	http://www.asasoftball.com/about/build_batlist_w_pics.asp
Non approved bat list with pictures on one page	http://www.asasoftball.com/about/build_batlist_one_page.asp
Non approved bats with the 2004 approval logo that have now been added to the non approved list with pictures	http://www.asasoftball.com/about/build_batlist_w_pics_2004.as

17. League ball is a Yellow Red String synthetic Dudley Thunder SY 12inch RF80 44 core 375 comp

18. 3 Home run rule in all divisions. All over the 3 run limit, will be outs.

19. There will be NO stealing.

20. A team caught using an illegal bat must forfeit the game. A second offense by the same team, will be gone for the season.

21. No beer or alcohol in dug out, during a game.

22. When playoffs begin, you could be scheduled, more then once a week.

23. POSTPONEMENTS: A team can only postpone a game due to weather. (rain) If both manager agree the the game CAN be played earlier. All make up games will be rescheduled by the League Offices.

24. All batters will start with a 1-1 count with NO Courtesy foul.

25. Foul Ball and Homeruns are the teams that hits them goes and gets them. Penalties will be assessed accordingly.

26. Throwing the Bat is an delayed automatic out. 1st Offense is only an out, 2nd offense by player is and out, ejection and 6 game suspension 3rd offense is an out, ejction
and a 1 years suspension from date of the occurance.

Scenario; Bases loaded and batter hits one hopper to pitcher, on way to first bases throws bat against the fence. Pitcher over throws the 1st baseman and batter
runner ends up on second base. Umpire's call will be batter runner out for swearing and dead ball; all base runner return back to base occupied prior to the play. Zero Runs
scored.

Throwing back out will carry over to the next inning.

*27. Any person over the age of 50 and plays in division 3 or 4 will be permitted a courtesy runner. The courtesy runner will be chosen by the opposing team.

*28. Every team will be permitted to have 12 active players in the lineup at one time. This permits each team to have 2 extra hitters in the lineup or 1 extra hitter and 1 designated hitter. YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED 2 EXTRA HITTERS AND A DESIGNATED HITTER. Teams are only permitted to have 12 active players on the field at one time. Either one of the extra hitter can switch positions in the field but CAN NOT change there position in the batting order.

Site last updated on: 07/18/2011
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