Council Bluffs Church League Softball Association
General Rules 

Please read the general rules of the league listed below.  When you sign the roster for the league, it will ask "Did you read the general rules?"

COUNCIL BLUFFS CHURCH SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION

GENERAL RULES FOR 2007   Revisions in bold and italics

     

1.   CBCSA has a website that will have the season's schedule, scores and rainout information.  Please visit the website at www.cbcsa.com

2.                  2.  Softball rules shall be those published annually by the Amateur Softball Association (A.S.A.) except where the respective leagues have noted exceptions listed in rules, regulations and by-laws.

3.                  3. Must use 44 cor balls

4.                  4.  All players participating in any CBCSA league game must be properly registered with the CBCSA by having their name and signature appear on a church roster form properly submitted to the CBCSA:   

a.       All rosters must be signed by the church pastor or representative.

b.      All rosters must be submitted before players mentioned on document can play ball.

c.       No new players will be accepted after the dates listed below without use of the hardship rule:

1.      SUMMER ADULT LEAGUES: 2nd Monday in June

2.      SUMMER YOUTH LEAGUES: Last Tuesday in June

3.      FALL ADULT LEAGUES: Last Saturday in September

d.      A player may only be registered for one team per league but can play in multiple leagues if properly registered.

e.       A player must play for the church he/she is a member of if that church has a team in the league.  The Executive Board will upon written request consider any exceptions to this rule.

f.        All players found to be participation improperly (not registered) will cause the team they are playing for to forfeit all games the illegal player participated in. 

5.                  5.  All players participating in any league game must attend three church services a month.  Ball games are not considered a service.  Qualification for this rule is left at the hands of that team’s pastor and clergy.  If church attendance is questioned the player and pastor for that team must appear before the Executive Board to verify attendance.  If there is non-compliance with this rule, all games said player participated in shall be forfeited.

6.                  6.  Apparel may not advertise bars, lounges, liquor, tobacco or anything deemed inappropriate.  After a warning has been issued by the head umpire or a member of the Executive Board present at the game the player must change that clothing item before being allowed to continue playing.

7.                  7.  Game Schedules: 

a.       All games shall be originally scheduled, with the approval of the board, by the person(s) designated by the CBCSA President.

b.      Should a scheduled game conflict with a church activity, the church coach who has the conflict is responsible to notify the opposing coach and league director.  Games should be made up within two weeks and be rescheduled with knowledge of the league director.

c.       Within 48 hour notice of forfeit, the winning team need not appear and forfeiting team will not pay any forfeit fee.  The forfeiting coach must notify the opposing coach.  That way forfeit fees are not imposed.

d.      Rainouts will be the decision of the contracted field maintenance service.  Check the CBCSA website the night of the game to see if a rainout has been called.  It is each team’s responsibility to find out if the games are being played.  Decision by the maintenance service or by an umpire is final.   

8.                  8.  Umpire Forfeit Deposit of $50.00 per church participating in the league must be current at the start of league play.

9.                  9.  The winning coach must report the score of the game to the CBCSA website.

10.              10.  All games will be played at Brotherhood Park.

11.              11.  Protests must be postmarked to the CBCSA within 48 hours of the game in question including a $25.00 protest fee to be refunded if protest is upheld.  Protests cannot be on matters of judgment.  Tournament Directors are responsible to resolve protested matters before the conclusion of the tournament.

12.              12.  All league game protests will be decided upon by members of the Executive Board.  If one of the board members is involved in the dispute, the other three members will render a decision.  If two or more of the members are involved, the remaining members will select replacements so the total voting group is four to render a decision.

13.              13.  Team registration fees and entry forms must be submitted by dates determined by the Board of Directors.  The fee must be mailed in the form of a check.  Team registration fees are $75.00 per team entering a league.  A church may have more than one team playing in any given league, but a fee is required for each team playing.

14.              14.  A completed roster and roster fee of $300 per team per league must be submitted before the team may play in its first game.  After the roster is submitted, players may be added up until the cutoff date by completing the roster form.  No more money is required.

15.              15.  All monies paid in the form of entry and roster fees are non-refundable after submission to the Association Treasurer.

16.              16.  All CBCSA playing rules and regulations may be revised at the Annual League Manager's Meeting or Annual Organizational Meeting.  These rules are not official until reviewed and approved upon by the Board of Directors.

17.              1`7.  The Board of Directors is the sole authority to determine policy concerning any mattes of the CBCSA except as directed by the by-laws.  Majority approval vote of this board will determine rule revisions.

18.              18.  Team practices are to be limited to one hour in duration if another team wishes to use the same field.  A team attempting to practice on the night they would normally play has first rights to the use of a diamond.  Common Christian courtesy and integrity must be exhibited.

19.              19.  All regularly scheduled league games as well as re-scheduled make-up games have priority over any desired practice.

20.              20.  When field maintenance is being performed, all practicing must stop until the lawn service has completed their duties.

21.              21.  The CBCSA discourages the use of players under the age of 15 in the adult leagues.  Players must be 16 years old by June 1st of that year to be eligible to participate in fast pitch games.

22.              22.  Climbing any of the fences on Association property is prohibited.

23.              23.  Balls hit out of diamond #3 that fall into the neighbor's garden are to be left where they land.  The neighbors are receptive to people retrieving balls that land in the grass, but not the garden.  Any damage done to a neighbor's property must be reported to a league official.

24.              24.  CONDUCT: 

a.       The manager or coach of a participation team is the only person allowed to question the decision made by an umpire during a game.  Anyone else who gets involved may be ejected by an umpire.  If the offense is of a serious nature, the umpire shall be given the players name and a written description of the incident and recommendation for any action shall be submitted to the Executive Board by the umpire.

b.      When an umpire requests that a coach keep his players in-line, the coach shall be given a warning to talk to their team and correct the attitude.  If the umpire feels it has not been corrected, the umpire may declare that the violating team forfeits the game.

c.       Profanity of any type (spoken softly or loud or in the form of gestures) will be cause for the violation player to be ejected from the game.  Any player using profanity before of after the game shall be reported to the CBCSA Executive Board for action.

d.      Unsportsmanlike conduct in the stands or surrounding areas by players, coaches or fans will be reported to the CBCSA Executive Board.  Uncalled for derogatory remarks directed towards an umpire before, during or after a game will be cause for a two game suspension if written up by the umpire.

e.       Any team that does not exhibit Christian and sportsmanlike attitudes may be called before the Executive Board to have the problem resolved.  Suspensions of particular players, forfeiture of a decided number of games, or total removal from the league for that team for the remainder of the year may result.

f.        If a player is written up by an umpire, an automatic two game suspension shall be imposed.  This decision is to be reviewed by the Executive Board and further action may result. 

25.              25.  The home team will provide and keep the official scorebook during the course of a game.

26.              26.  Please remember to clean up your dugouts after the game.  It only takes a few minutes.  Be courteous to spectators and everyone at the ballparks.  Exchange line-ups with opposing team scorekeeper before the game.  Help keep our property in good working order.  Try to resolve any differences with a Christ like attitude.

27.              27.  Complaints about an umpire should be made to a league official or a member of the Executive Board.  Remember, only a coach or manager may do this.

28.              28.  Turn lights on when needed for safety purposes.  Umpires should not turn on the lights during mid inning.  They should be turned on at the beginning or end of an inning.

29.              29. Borrowing of players is strongly discouraged by the Board of Directors.  However, if both coaches agree and the home plate umpire is notified that one team has borrowed a player(s) and it is to be a non-forfeit game, then approval is granted.  The borrowed player must be duly registered to the CBCSA.  You may only borrow up to two players so that the total number of players you have on the field does not exceed nine.  If one of your regularly rostered players shows up later in the game, the borrowed player must return to their regular team. 

30.              30.  Hardship cases may be approved by the League Director when request is given in writing (to contain reason and names of two persons involved) along with proper completed registration signed by the League Director.  The following are reasons a hardship case will be considered:

a.       An injury causing a player to miss 2 or more consecutive games.

b.      Pregnancy of player no longer able to play.

c.       A player who has moved out of town and will no longer play.

d.      A medical reason causing a player to miss 2 or more consecutive games.

*Any other circumstance must be approved by the Executive Board.  A request will be given to the board by the League Director.  An injured player may return to play but only after two consecutive games have been missed.

31.              31.  A church related function may be approved by the League Director for a game re-schedule if the directors are properly notified within at least one week of the conflict.  If you know well in advance, please note this on your registration form and scheduler will give a bye for that week if possible.  The following are considered church related function if they involve the attendance of three or more team members:

a.       Special church service

b.      Funeral

c.       Wedding

d.      Retreat

e.       Church convention 

32.              32.  Use of tobacco products are not permitted on playing fields or in the dugouts.

33.              33.  Alcohol is not permitted on CBCSA property.

34.              34. Any organization wishing to use the facilities for tournaments, games, etc. for other than league use are to contact one of the Executive Board Members for permission.  Prior approval must be granted.  The cost is $25.00 per team with the lights and $20.00 per team without.

35.              35.  The Treasurer of the association shall be bonded for an amount set by the Board of Directors.  Also, copies of bank statements shall be sent to the President and Vice President by the Treasurer or bank.

36.              36.  Tournament directors must be approved by the Executive Board.  The tournament director shall have authority to make all decisions regarding their respective tournament.  There can be an assistant director appointed if the Executive Board is notified. The tournament director shall be responsible for arranging all field maintenance, umpires and coordinating with the association treasurer regarding fees.

37.              37.  All slow pitch balls shall be .44 core. 

38.              38.  Slow pitch leagues pitching distance shall follow ASA rule of fifty feet.  Fast pitch will remain at 46 feet.

39.              39.  Each team may have two provisional players that may play for two years.  A provisional player is one who does not meet the requirement of attending three services per month.  If at the end of their provisional year they do not join a church on a regular basis, they will not be allowed to participate again until church attendance is verified.

40.              40.  All items on rosters must be completed.  The church that the player attends must be listed on the team roster or the fact that they are being used as provisional players must be listed.

41.              41.  The carpet is gone.  No mat behind the plate.  Umpires will call balls and strikes based on ASA Rules.

42.              42.  Three home runs per team per game are allowed.  After that, every fly ball  hit unaided over the fence is a single.  Runners only advanced if forced.

43.              43.  This league does not have a must slide rule.  No intentional collisions are allowed.

44.              44.  If a man walks with less than two outs he is to advance to 2nd base and the woman will be at bat.  If a man walks with two outs he is to advance to 2nd base and the woman has the option of batting or walking.

45.              45.  There will be a ten minute grace period from the scheduled game time.

46.              46.  In the event of an uneven amount of players: 

a.       Inning cannot end on an automatic out.

b.      If the missing person is to be the third out, skip to the next player of the same gender of the missing player and continue until there is an out. 

47.              47.  According to ASA rules for co-ed slow pitch, there needs to be two men and two women in both the infield and outfield.  No such designation for Men's Slow pitch.

48.              48.  Slow pitch games will start with a one and one count.  A courtesy foul will be given on the third strike if it is a foul ball. 

49.              49.  If there is a tie game and extra innings are needed the last batter from the previous inning will start on 2nd base.  The batter goes to the plate with a full count.  A courtesy foul will not be given in extra innings.

50.              50.  There will be a ten run rule exercised after the 5th inning for fast pitch.

51.              51.  Teams cannot begin new innings once the 55 minute time frame has been completed.  The inning begins the moment after the last out.