SEMINOLE COUNTY SOFTBALL COMPLEX

SEMINOLE SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES

SEMINOLE SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE FORMAT

The Priority of the Seminole Senior Softball League will be to promote the 60+ age bracket. Any player turning "60" in the current year will receive the first opportunity to play.

The league will be a true “draft” league with a player rating system determined by the facilitators. The lower rated players will be drafted first, with higher rated players drafted last. All players must play and bat if not injured.

Rules herein are rules that are in use in Florida Half Century tournament play, with exceptions. Rule exceptions and additions will be noted, and will amend the rules of the Seminole County Softball Complex.

COMMISSIONER - FACILITATOR - ADVISORS
The Seminole Senior Softball League will elect the following leaders to serve two-year terms.

1. COMMISSIONER – The Commissioner must be present for the duration of all games and be well versed in the bylaws/rules in order to handle any disputes or rule clarifications that might occur. The Commissioner will oversee the day-to-day operation of the league. This position will be funded at $15 per game.

2. FACILITATOR – Assist the Commissioner. Assume the duties of the Commissioner in his absence or if the position is vacated.

3. SECRETARY-TREASURER—Responsible for communication and collection and disbursement of league funds.

4. ADVISORS / MANAGERS – The Advisor positions will be filled by the current session managers. The Advisors will assist with the promotion of the league and with decisions that require action involving a majority vote.

5. FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
The Seminole Senior Softball League will collect player charges and will be administered by the Seminole Senior Softball League Secretary / Treasurer. The Secretary / Treasurer shall disburse funds as directed by the Seminole Senior Softball League Commissioner. The Secretary / Treasurer shall furnish a copy of the league session balance sheet to the Webmaster to be posted on the league website at the end of each session of play.

6. PLAYER COST
The Seminole Senior Softball League facilitators shall determine the player cost. NO PAY, NO PLAY. The cost includes team shirts, umpire, balls, League Championship shirts, and playoff 1st place trophy awards.

7. LEAGUE SCHEDULE
The Seminole Senior Softball League schedule will be determined by the Seminole Softball Complex and announced after the player draft.

8. STARTING TIMES
Game times will be 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM unless revised by the league. No grace period will be allowed.

9. TIME LIMIT
A one (1) hour time limit will be in effect. The umpire will acknowledge when 50 minutes has expired. If time expires during an inning, the inning will be finished and one more inning will be played allowing unlimited runs. NOTE: It is imperative that Managers keep the game moving by changing sides promptly each inning. Exception: As time runs out, both teams must have the opportunity to win. With 10 minutes left in the game, we finish the current inning and then we play one “open” (i.e. unlimited runs) inning more.

11. RUNS PER INNING LIMIT
A 5-run limit per inning will be in effect. The last inning will be an open run (unlimited runs) inning.

12. RUN RULE
15 Runs after (4) complete innings of play.
12 Runs after (5) complete innings of play.

13. TIE-BREAKER RULE GAME
A ONE-PITCH format and the International tiebreaker run will be in effect beginning with the first full inning after time has expired and for all extra innings. The extra inning will begin with the last BATTER from the previous inning running from second base unless the last batter used a rabbit. In the case of a rabbit being the last batter's runner, the previous batter who hit before the batter with a rabbit will start at second base. The runner must advance to third base before being replaced by a courtesy runner. 

14. TIE-BREAKER RULE GAME (SESSION AND PLAYOFFS)
FHC By-Laws apply:

a) In the event of a tie (two teams: Head to Head play.
b) If still tied, then use run differential (RD)
c) If three or more teams tied, least runs allowed (RA) in 10 game season
d) Any teams still tied on C above, the most Runs Scored (RS) will apply

A ONE-PITCH format and the International tiebreaker run will be in effect beginning with the first full inning after time has expired and for all subsequent extra innings. The extra innings will begin with the last BATTER from the previous inning running from second base unless the batter had a rabbit. In the case of a rabbit running for the last batter, the second to last batter will start at second base. The player must advance to third base before being replaced by a courtesy runner. 

15. COURTSEY RUNNERS
A courtesy runner may be inserted at any time in the pitch count. The same courtesy runner may not be used more than once per inning. Any courtesy runner found in violation will be called out.  No Courtesy runner will be allowed from home plate.

A courtesy runner may not be replaced by another courtesy runner except for injury causing removal of the original courtesy runner from the game.

A courtesy runner that is on base, when it is his turn to bat, will be declared out and be removed from the base. The courtesy runner called out does not lose his turn at bat.

To speed the game along, when a batter is walked and a courtesy runner will be used, the batter does not have to touch first base.

NOTE: It is imperative that Managers have courtesy runners ready to expedite the time constraints.

A courtesy runner is in the game when he touches the base.

16. FORFEIT RULES
All efforts will be made to eliminate the need to forfeit a game.

Teams may use eleven (11) defensive players. In the event a team has less than eleven (11) players, they can pick up a maximum of three (3) players to make eleven (11).

All pick up players can field any position; they must bat last in the lineup. You may only pick up to a total of 11 players. You have to be missing 2 A players to pick up one A player.

In the event a team cannot field 11 defensive players, the opposing team may still use 11 defensive players. Teams can give each other a defensiver position player to make 11 in the field each inning.

Late arriving team players must replace any pickup players. The highest ranked pick-up player will be the first to be replaced.

17. ROSTER RULES
1. After the initial draft, no player can change teams without the approval of the Officers.

2. Managers cannot recruit players for their teams.

3. All new roster additions must meet the current year “60” age requirement, with exceptions. Fall League will allow players that will be 60 the following year.

4. New players will be assigned to the team with the fewest number of players on the roster with the approval of the facilitators.

5. No players will be added after the third game of each session.  Surplus players will be on a waiting list and added as needed to fill vacancies that may occur due to the loss of players on a team.  League Officers will control the list and make assignments replacing injured or lost players with a player of similar ability and rating.

6. All new players must pay a cost determined by the Seminole Senior Softball League Officers. The Officers reserve the right to adjust the cost under special circumstances.

18. SEMINOLE SENIOR SOFTBALL JERSEYS
The Seminole Senior Softball League will furnish 2 assigned numbered jerseys to all players. The jerseys remain the property of the Seminole Senior Softball League. A designated color will be assigned for Home team and a varying color for the Visitor team.

Players will purchase 2 assigned numbered shirts at the current rate. A designated color will be assigned for home team and a varying color for the Visitor team.

Replacement jerseys must be purchased by the player at the current rate.

19.INJURED PLAYER RULE
In the event a player is injured and cannot continue play, his next turn at bat will be declared an OUT. The lineup will then be compressed and continue without the injured player. A loaned defensive player will be provided if the team does not have 10 defensive players. The opposing team’s manager must approve any pickup players for any injured player.

20. EJECTED PLAYER
An ejected player must leave the park immediately. The ejected player will be suspended a minimum of one (1) game. The severity of the suspension may dictate a longer suspension decided by the Seminole Senior Softball League Officers. SEMINOLE COUNTY PARK RULES OF CONDUCT WILL BE ENFORCED. The ejected player position will be deemed an OUT for EACH remaining time at bat during the game. A loaned defensive player will be provided if the team does not have 10 defensive players. The opposing team’s manager must approve all pickup players for any ejected players.

21. PROCTECTIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
The Seminole Senior Softball League encourages all players to take proper steps to protect themselves during play.  Protective equipment is available to provide extra protection. The league mandates that Pitchers must pitch from behind a PITCHING SCREEN (provided by the League) and position themselves behind the screen after delivery of each pitch. Enforcement per FHC by-laws with exception: first offense umpire will issue a warning, additional offense(s) will be called illegal pitches.

22. BATS
ASA or Senior bats may be used.

23. BALLS
Seminole County Softball Complex will furnish balls and provide 1 new and 1 used ball for each game. Balls will meet the 44/375 senior softball rating. All balls are the property of Seminole County Softball Complex and must be returned to the umpire at the end of each game.

24. BALLS LEAVING THE BALL PARK
The team at bat is responsible for retrieving balls outside the playing field or to replace lost balls.

25. PROTEST OF GAME
No protests will be allowed. The Seminole Senior Softball League Officers, Umpires and Managers can and will resolve any and all conflicts.

26. RAIN & LIGHTNING DELAYS
The Umpire and the Seminole County Softball Complex control all weather related delays.

Do not leave the ballpark until the Seminole Softball Complex has declared the game cancelled.

27. SEMINOLE SENIOR SOFTBALL WEBSITE
The Seminole Senior Softball League will pay for a website, maintained by an appointed webmaster, that will keep players abreast of league activities, functions, schedules, scores, rosters, financial, as well as other Senior Softball information.

Update 7 April 2022