2008

 

 

MEN’S EVANGELICAL

SOFTBALL LEAGUE (MESL)

WEBSITE: MESL.50MEGS.COM

 

GUIDELINES

 

 

REVISED:  04/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE:   ALL PRINT IN BOLD/ITALIC IS NEW OR REVISED

 

There will be one (1) Sixteen (16) team division.  Games will be played on Monday evenings starting on (April 28, 2008); the final game of the regular season will be on (Aug 4, 2008).  There is a starting time of 6:15 PM, with a 15-minute grace period for either team to field a team.  This is the Men’s Evangelical Softball League (MESL), and as such no women are allowed as members/substitutions.  General ASA rules will apply, with the exceptions noted hereafter that will supersede the ASA rules.

 

AIMS OF THIS LEAGUE

 

Through this league and its activities, to fulfill Matthew 28: 19-20 (The Great Commission); in other words, to reach the lost.

 

·        To provide an opportunity for fellowship among area churches.

·        To provide an atmosphere of clean Christian competition.

·        Towards these ends, each game will open and close with prayer.

           

ADDITIONAL BASES

 

The strike zone mat will be part of home plate in all respects.  In the interest of safety and helping to prevent collisions when a play is being made at home plate, catchers are encouraged to stand in front of home plate and the runners are to run to the strike zone mat.

 

There will be an additional bag at first base.  The fielder will utilize the inside bag for putouts and the runner is required to use the orange bag in foul territory, except when trying to advance.

 

ARGUMENTS

 

In the event that a call is in dispute, both teams are to back away and allow the coaches to settle it.  The plate umpire is encouraged to request assistance from base coaches in cases where their view was blocked from the play

 

COACHES

 

Coaches and assistant coaches are required to be members and/or regular attendees of the team in which they represent.  Any necessary exceptions must be made in writing to the Executive Committee.

 

1st and 3rd base coaches are to be members of teams.  No fan is to coach.

 

COLLISION

 

The base runner is to avoid any intentional collision with the fielder; if that happens, the base runner is out by the umpire’s call.  Also the fielder cannot block the base without the ball in hand; if that happens, the base runner is safe, by the umpire’s call.

 

COMPASSION RULE

 

The team that is behind, at anytime during the game, may invoke the Compassion Rule, which is, they may concede the game if they feel that to keep playing competitively would be discouraging to themselves.  It is hoped that the game would be completed, even if only for fun.  Sensitivity towards discomfort and embarrassment for the team behind should be encouraged at all times and can be by the coach’s communication on a regular basis, i.e. at the end of each inning.

 

 

COMPLAINTS/PROTESTS

 

Complaints or protests MUST be called in on the night the game is played, to Glenn Broghamer,   508-476-1444.  Also all complaints or protests must be submitted to Glenn, in writing or by email, to be received no later than the Friday following the game in question, with a copy being sent to the opposing coach.  The matter will be decided by the Executive Committee, no later than the second Friday after the game in question.  FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE WILL RESULT IN THE PROTEST BEING DENIED.

 

CONDITIONS

 

When conditions are not suitable, the home team shall be responsible for notifying the coach/captain of the visiting team, allowing sufficient time for cancellation.  The decision to play or not will be made at the playing field.  The home team is responsible to notify Bill Blenkhorn, 508-533-9319, of cancellation and makeup date.

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Home team will provide directions to the field by at least 8 days before the game.

 

DONATION

 

Each team will donate $ 75.00 toward league expenses by the start of the season; payment to be sent to Craig Wert.  Failure to submit this donation by the first game of the season will result in forfeiture of that game and any subsequent games played with no fee received by Craig Wert.

 

EJECTIONS

 

In the unfortunate event that it is necessary to eject a player from a game for any reason, both coaches involved in the game are required to report the incident to the Executive Committee for review, within 48 hours of the incident.

 

END OF SEASON SCHEDULE

 

The tourney will then be on August 9, 2008 with a rain date of August 16, 2008.

 

EQUIPMENT

 

Home team will provide bases, home plate and strike zone mat for the ball diamond.

 

Each team will provide one new ball for each game (ASA approved Dudley, call Phil Anza for model number).

 

Wooden or aluminum softball bats will be acceptable (all bats must be ASA approved- see http://www.asasoftball.com/about/certified_equipment.asp for ASA non-approved bats); baseball bats are not allowed.  In the interest of safety, any bat with evidence of significant damage (@ 1” dia. dent) should be removed from play.  Coaches are responsible for policing their team’s equipment and monitoring the ASA non-approved bat list.

 

In the event that an illegal (non-approved bat) is used during a game the batter will be called out and the person who brought the bat (if different than the batter) will be ejected from the game.

 

In the event that a damaged bat is used during a game the batter will be called out (possibly ejected) and the bat is to be removed from play.  The coaches are to report the incident to the Executive Committee.

 

EVERYBODY PLAYS

 

Each player who shows up must play in the game.  Coaches will bat everybody who shows up to play, no limit; once they bat they must bat every time it is their turn.  Free substitution will be allowed in the field; teams may "platoon" players every other inning, as an example.

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

Glenn Broghamer      26 Old Farm Road                Douglas          MA      01516             508-476-1444

 

Phil Anza                    3 Meadowview Lane            Milford            MA      01757             508-561-6499

 

Bill Blenkhorn 15 High Street                       Medway          MA      02053             508-533-9319

 

Marlen Pyne               199 W. Main Street               Hopkinton       MA      01748             508-435-9055

 

Craig Wert                 57 Fisher Street                    Millville            MA      01529             508-876-1013

 

FIELD DIMENSIONS

 

The pitcher's mound is 50 ft. from home plate and the bases are 65 ft. apart, if the fields will allow.  The home team will set the field and has the final say on the distances.

 

FIGHTING

           

Fighting is prohibited.  Incidents are to be reported to the Executive Committee for discussion and/or discipline.  Any player engaged in such activity will be immediately ejected from the game, and each time his position in the batting order comes up an OUT will be recorded.

 

FORFEITS

 

If at any point in the season a team has forfeited 3 or more games as a result of not having a minimum of 8 players, the Executive Committee will call a special meeting to discuss necessary action with regards to participation in the tournament as well as for the following season.  At least one coach from the team under consideration will be required at this meeting.     

 

FOOTWEAR

 

No metal cleats are permitted.  Coaches are reminded to enforce this on their own teams.

 

GAME

 

Unless both teams mutually agree to a different night (the scheduled home team must call in the change to Bill Blenkhorn), games must be played on the scheduled Monday evening or a forfeit will result.  If the home team has no field, the game must be played on the opponent's field with the scheduled home team remaining as home team.

 

INTENTIONAL WALKS

 

The pitcher may grant an intentional walk (IBB) before any pitch by notifying the batter and umpire of his intention to do so. To declare an IBB, the pitcher shall hold up 4 fingers and point to first base.  Once the IBB declaration is made, it is irrevocable. 

 

In keeping with the spirit of the MESL, the IBB should be used sparingly, and only in strategic situations.

 

LEAGUE SIZE

 

The size of the league will be determined by Executive committee of the same year as the season.  The league will consist of a maximum of 16 teams IN ONE DIVISION.  Teams that inquire or notify Glenn Broghamer will be encouraged to join/rejoin the following year.  Should we get more than 16 teams before the start of the season, the format of which will be determined by a small committee to be named at that time.

 

MAKE-UPS

 

Make-ups of rainouts must be scheduled within 2 weeks.  No exceptions.  FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN A LOSS TO BOTH TEAMS, UNLESS THERE ARE EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES.  If a team cannot field a minimum size team, they must let the opposing team know no later than 24 hours before the mutually scheduled makeup; it is the obligation of the team that cancels to provide a field and a game time, to be accepted by the opposing team, within 2 weeks or a forfeit for that team will result.

 

MAXIMUM FOUL BALLS

 

The second foul ball after the second strike is an out.

 

MAXIMUM WALKS AND RUNS

 

There will be a maximum of 10 walks per inning, every inning.  After the tenth walk there will be no more balls called, only strikes, until either the batter bats the ball or strikes out.

 

MINIMUM SIZE TEAM

 

Eight men minimum to play the game; if there are less, it is an automatic forfeit.  The opposing team will supply a catcher when a team can field only eight players.  The two coaches will mutually agree as to who will be chosen as the catcher.  The catcher will be responsible to be involved in the play on all balls fielded by the eight-man team's infielders.  The catcher position will be covered by the eight-man team on all balls fielded by that team's outfielders.

 

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM ARC

 

The minimum arc must be as high as the pitcher's shoulder, while in an upright position, and there will be no limit to how high the arc can be.

 

MINIMUM PLAYING AGE

 

Must be 14 on or before August 1, 2008.  This is the league minimum; individual churches can increase this age as deemed necessary.

 

PINCH RUNNERS

 

Pinch runner(s) will be the last person(s) out the previous inning; in the first inning it will be the last batter.  If you know you need a pinch runner before the game, please let the other coach know that.  Once a batter/runner has asked for a pinch runner, he must use one for every at-bat after that for the duration of that game.  Pinch runners will start from an extension of the left foul line and behind the catcher; this applies to both left-handed and right-handed batters.

 

PROFANITY

 

Use of profanity and/or excessive verbal abuse and/or harassment will be prohibited.  After an initial warning, a team member will be expelled from the game for the use of profanity.  This applies to all members of the team, including our "outreach" players.  Coaches really need to police their own teams in order that opposing teams don't feel pressured to.

 

SCORE OF GAME

 

Winning coaches must call or email in score of game within 48 hours to Bill Blenkhorn, 508-533-9319 (H) or moxiedrinker@yahoo.com FAILURE TO DO WILL RESULT IN A $10.00 FINE TO BE SENT TO THE TREASURER (Craig Wert, see address at Executive Committee); failure to pay fine will disqualify a team from the Tournament.

 

SCORER

 

Each team will have an official scorer.

 

START/END OF GAME

 

It is the responsibility of the home team to provide the bases, strike zone, and initial game ball as well as setup the bases and pitcher’s mound.  Before play starts, the home team coach shall review the ground rules with all players and answer any questions regarding the rules as described.  The coach shall then give a verbal reminder of the emphasis on safety, restrictions on bats, metal cleats, etc. as they are described in the league guidelines.  Each game shall be opened with a word of prayer, devotion, or testimony as led.   At the end of each game the teams shall meet at home plate, line up and shake hands, then close with a word of prayer and thanksgiving.

 

SMOKING AND DRINKING

 

No smoking or drinking of alcoholic beverages will be permitted on the game field or premises before, during or after the game.  Any player engaged in such activity will be immediately ejected from the game, and each time his position in the batting order comes up an OUT will be recorded.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP

 

Calling of pitches, long or short, from any other person than the umpire is prohibited.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP TROPHY

 

There will be a sportsmanship trophy awarded to the team that best exemplifies these aims.  Coaches call with your nominations at the end of the season to Glenn Broghamer, 508-476-1444. 

 

STRIKE-ZONE MAT

 

The wooden mat will measure 20" across the edge furthest from home plate, the "bottom edge"; each side edge will measure 30"; the deepest point of the "V" will be 21.5" from the bottom edge and be centered; see diagram on Page 8.  NOTE – the home plate itself is now included in the strike zone.

 

TEMPER

 

Bat or Equipment thrown in temper. Any player engaged in such activity will be immediately ejected from the game, and each time his position in the batting order comes up an OUT will be recorded.

 

TOURNEY

 

The same players are to be in the tournament that play the regular season and must have played a minimum of three games during the scheduled season.

 

Tournament is being designed and organized by Phil Anza and Marlen Pyne.  The date of the tournament is Saturday August 9^th, with a rain date of August 16^th.

 

 

STRIKE ZONE MAT DIMENSIONS