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Runnemede Girls Softball League
League Rules
The regular season and playoff games are to be governed by the rules set forth in the A.S.A. Game rules (fast Pitch), with the following additions, changes and exceptions.
I. Selection of New Players
a. A special meeting will be held for the purpose of drafting players to complete rosters. Teams will draft using last years’ order of finish. A flip of a coin will determine who goes first. Teams will alternate draft positions in the succeeding rounds. Once a team quota is full, they will drop from the draft.
b. Manager only may claim draft rights to his or her child. Draft rights must be exercised in first two rounds or lose draft rights.
c. Pitchers will always be distributed evenly between teams.
II. Realignment of Teams
Realignment of the league will occur when the Executive Board deems it necessary. Realignment can occur every year.
a. For the purpose of League parity, players will be rated and distributed by managers and coaches into teams, which are as evenly matched as possible.
b. Manager only may claim rights to his/her child.
c. If Team A has a player whose parent will coach for Team B, a trade can be made if both teams agree. The player would go from Team A to Team B. In turn, Team A would get their choice of any player on Team B roster who is equally rated, with the exception of the frozen player or pitcher. This must be done before players are notified of their teams.
d. Players can be carried over to the next year with new players evenly distributed between teams unless enrollment consists of enough girls to create a new team. In this event, realignment must be made so not one team may consist of all the better players. Girls will be divided equally.
III. Siblings
Whenever possible, no more than one set of sisters will be placed on a team unless a manager has no objections to more and is approved by the president.
IV. Registrations
a. Registration will be open until teams are drafted. Teams must have an equal number of girls at the time of draft.
b. No registrations will be accepted once the teams are drafted, with the exception of minor league and T-ball.
c. All players are place on age appropriate teams. There will be no exceptions except if there is a safety issue to the other players is involved. The Board will take any safety issue into consideration and make the final decision.
V. Manager recommendations to release a player
a. One unexcused practice/game = warning
b. Two (2) unexcused practice/games = game suspension in which affected player must sit the bench in uniform.
c. Three (3) unexcused practice/games = removal from team
d. The Commissioner must be notified within 24 hours of any disciplinary action taken against a player
*Note: A player resigning on her own accord will not be eligible for reinstatement during the remainder of the season, but she will be eligible to play the following year with approval from Executive board. Exceptions or appeals to the rule must come before the Executive board and be acted upon within seven days of notification.
VI. Dropped Players
a. The commissioner must be notified by a manager of his/her intentions to drop a player from a roster for violations of League rules. The commissioner
in turn will notify the Executive Board, which will thoroughly investigate
the case.
b. The Executive Board shall notify the manager of the decision and should the manager not be satisfied with the decision, it will be his/her prerogative to requisition the President to call a meeting of the managers, officials and commissioner to have his/her appeal decided by majority vote.
c. Once dropped, a player will not be eligible to play for the remainder of the season. Before application to participate at a later date is approved, her eligibility will e decided before a meeting of the Executive Board and league managers.
VII. Uniforms
a. It will be mandatory for all players to use the equipment provided by
the league. This rule specifically applies to complete uniforms (shirts
and pants) provided by the league. Although not furnished by the
League, it is compulsory for all players to wear rubber cleats and white
sliders. The penalty for not being in full uniform is player will not play.
a. All uniforms must be clean and in good condition.
VIII. Schedule of Games
a. Games will be scheduled on each teams’ home night.
b. Make-up games must be scheduled according to open schedule on
calendar posted in concession stand.
IX. Protest
A.S.A. rules apply. Exception: If paid umpires are used, the protest will go before their own committee.
X. Disciplinary Action
a. All adult members whose behavior or conduct is detrimental to the
organization will be brought to the attention of the Board within three
(3) days of said incident. Disciplinary action will be at the discretion of
the Board.
b. Each incident will be handled on a case by case basis.
c. All managers will be expected to take proper disciplinary action against a player, or spectator for misconduct, unnecessary roughness, and infraction of League rules.
d. The penalty shall be at the discretion of the manager. Any player or spectator ejected by the umpire will be suspended for the next attended game.
e. Opposing manager and Commissioner must be notified prior to game of player sitting our suspension. The commissioner must be notified within 24 hours of any disciplinary action taken against a player.
f. If behavior of player or spectator persists after the first disciplinary, they will be expelled from the league.
XI. Concession Stand
a. It is each team’s responsibility for working the concession stand on
their assigned week.
b. Two (2) Adults must be present at all times. It will be the managers to make sure the concession stand is properly covered or to find someone to take the place of an absent parent.
c. A schedule will be posted as notice to assigned teams.
XII. Team Names
All team names are at the discretion of the managers with Presidents approval.
XIII. Rule Changes
A rule change must be submitted in writing by a voting nor non-voting member before or at the March meeting, subject to body vote.
BY-LAWS OF THE RUNNEMEDE GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE
Article I – Membership
I. Voting membership in the League shall be limited to residents of the Borough of Runnemede, New Jersey. Non-residents (managers) completing one year of service shall also be eligible to vote. Their voting privileges will begin at the October meeting on an every two year basis unless someone is willing to run on the off year.
II. Such adult membership carries the privilege of ballot in a regular meeting if they attend 2/3rds of the last nine (9) completed regular meetings. Credit for attendance will be given to individuals missing a meeting for acceptable reasons (work, league function, illness or hospital stay) provided a Board member is notified of the absence prior to meeting time. Vote must be established by actual attendance before receiving credit for reasons given above.
III. Players’ membership shall include privilege of participation in team play and activities.
IV. If a player reaches her nineteenth (19) birthday prior to January 1st, she will not be eligible to play in the league.
V. All softball meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of the month
starting January to April. May to September the meetings will be held the third Wednesday of each month. There are no meetings for the months of October thru December. Meetings can be changed at discretion of president.
Article 2 – Funds
I. The League shall be self-supporting as possible to furnish members with all equipment and protection that is feasible and practical. It is not to engage in team play for monetary gain.
II. Sponsors hall be considered as contributors and may include civic, fraternal or service clubs, veteran’s organization, departments of the Borough of Runnemede, local merchants, businessmen, commercial enterprises or industrial plants.
Article 3 – Meetings
I. Matters of business shall be decided by vote at regular meetings. A vote may be taken and then presented to the membership at a regular meeting when a special meeting has been called by the President.
II. Five members qualified to vote shall constitute a quorum. Except as stipulated elsewhere in the by-laws, (see Article 16), a majority of voting members present shall decide all matters of business.
III. The President may make the deciding motion on a tie vote at a regular scheduled meeting.
Article 4 – Duties of the President
The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committees and trustees, and fill vacancies when they exist. Presidential appointments to fill Board vacancies must be approved by the remaining board members.
President will oversee all aspects of the Leagues rules and regulations and when and if needed make appropriate decisions for any situation that arises. President will foresee that all team players are equally disbursed amongst teams and make the final sign-off on All Star Teams.
Article 5 – Duties of the Vice-President
The Vice-President shall assist the President, and preside when the President is absent.
Article 6 – Duties of the Recording Secretary
The Recording Secretary shall keep a written record of all meetings and qualifications of each voting member. A copy of the minutes of the monthly meetings should be distributed to everyone attending the League meeting. These minutes should include the Attendance List, plus a List of Members with current voting privileges. The Secretary should issue notices of meetings and assist all other officers. The Secretary shall maintain an accurate list of playing rosters.
Article 7 – Duties of the Corresponding Secretary
The corresponding Secretary shall assist the Recording Secretary and reply to all correspondence. All mailing must go through at least one (1) other Executive board Member.
Article 8 – Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of the League monetary transactions. The books shall remain at the meeting until adjournment.
Article 9 – Duties of the Assistant Treasurer
The Assistant Treasurer shall assist and perform the duties of the Treasurer when the Treasurer is not available.
Article 10 – Duties of the Concession Stand Manager
The Concession Stand Manager shall keep an accurate record of the stand’s monetary transactions, as well as inventory records, ordering of merchandise and maintenance of the stand. All monies should be turned over to the Treasurer for deposit as soon as possible. Monies should not be held at the clubhouse.
Concession stand money does not pay for paid umpires. Money for paid umpires must be submitted within 24 to 48 hours prior to a game and approved by President before Treasurer is to release money.
Article 11 – Duties of the Equipment Manager
The Equipment Manager is to keep an accurate account of all equipment and any other league merchandise that pertains to the game. The Equipment manager shall have the right to recommend to the Board the proposed suspension of a manager, coach or player for the misuse of equipment. The board must approve all monetary transactions. An accurate list of all equipment should be kept at all times.
Article 12 – Executive Board
The Executive Board shall be the management of the affairs, except financial of the League. Financial affairs are to be managed by the Treasurer and President. The Board will be responsible for reviewing the financial books at least once a year. The Executive board will foresee the making of new teams and the final decisions for all tournament teams.
Article 13 – Trustees
Trustees must be voting members and will be appointed by the President for one-year terms. At total of three (3) Trustees will be appointed each year, if possible. They may serve consecutive years. The function of the Trustees will be to break Executive Board ties.
Article 14 – Equipment
All members will be responsible to turn in all of their keys, equipment and registration form books to an authorized person (Equipment Manager) no later than one (1) week from the end of their last game. Failure to do so will be acted on accordingly by the Board and Trustees.
Article 15 – Amendments
Any rule changes of by-laws must be presented in writing at first meeting of the body. These changes will be discussed at second meeting and voted on the third meeting. This must be passed by 2/3rds of the voting members present. The only exception will be in an emergency and it must be approved by the Board and Trustees.)
Article 16– Selection of Managers
Previous year manager has the right to the same team for the current year for the exception of Article 2 of the playing rules.
Open manager positions must be announced prior to team selections. Should a position open during the season, the Executive Board will select a coach from that team for the balance of the season.
Existing managers have the right to be selected by the board for a vacant team and take their seniority with them.
Any open position will be elected by the board members. All coaches and managers must take a safety course in order to hold a position on the league.
All managers are only allowed to manage one team within the league, unless there is a vacant team and the board approves the appointment.
Each manager is allowed to coach a division for a maximum of three years. At which point the position will become vacant and a new manager must be voted into the position.
Article 17– Coach Promoted to Manager
A coach may be promoted to manager if they have coached for one year prior to approval by the Executive Board.
If a coach is promoted to manager of a different team prior to the beginning of the season, he/she has the right to take his/her daughter. Compensation for a team losing a player in this manner will be player of equal value. The commissioner and the Executive Board will determine the player’s ability.
Article 18 – All Star Managers
To be a qualified manager you must have managed a Runnemede Girls team for one (1) year prior to the All Star Tournament. You must have attended ½ of the meetings from January to November and participated in fund raisers and activities throughout the year.
Article 19 - Responsibilities of Managers
A Managers’ first and foremost preference must be in the safety of the girls. All managers must attend ½ of scheduled meetings from January to November to hold position and attend ¾ of scheduled games. He/She may not miss more than three (3) meetings during the current season. If a manager misses 3 or more meetings the issue will be brought before the board for review. He/She is expected to hold practices with their team. After the draft, he/she must attend or have a representative attend all work parties and meetings. He/She will be expected to umpire on occasions when called to do so. He/She will be expected to participate on various committees and must keep accurate records of the girls. Managers must sign and agree the Managers Code of Conduct. He/She must also sign equipment and key sheet.
Article 20 - Discipline
The executive Board, acting as a body, shall have the authority to suspend, expel, or relieve of duties any member, trustee, officer, manager, coach, player or spectator with the organization whose conduct is considered detrimental to the best interest of the organization. Such charges may be submitted by any member of the organization, in writing, and will be reviewed by the Executive Board within seven (7) days to ascertain whether or not these warrant action as described above. During this preliminary the person in question will be on suspension from their position or the games until such matter is reviewed and settled.
In the event of such a suspension or expulsion, the party in question may appeal this decision in writing within three (3) days. After the appeal is presented, a meeting will be held within seven (7) days at which time a vote will be taken. The vote will require a 2/3rds majority of the voting members present to overturn the recommendation. Failure to appeal will result in the decision of the Executive Board as being final and irrevocable. All cases should be dealt with individually.
Article 21 – Manager and Coaches Meeting
All managers, coaches, or team representatives are required to attend the managers meeting before the start of the season. The meeting will be held at the last regular meeting before the start of the season (Opening Day).
Article 22– Female Adult
Each team must have an adult female at the field during games and practices.
Article 23 – Sportsperson of the Year
A sports award, which honors the individual for demonstrating the true meaning of sportsmanship through actions on and off the field of competition, is presented by Mayor and Council from the Borough of Runnemede. Ballots will be distributed at the August meeting to all members who have maintained their voting privileges. Absentee ballots will be issued for legitimate reasons (vacations, medical, work or death in the family) but must be returned to a member of the Board before the start of the August regular meeting. Completed ballots will immediately be taken to the Mayor’s office. No ballots will be accepted at any other time. The mayor is responsible for the plaque.
Article 24 – President Award
Every voting member may nominate a girl they think has demonstrated courage, desire, and determination during the previous softball season. The nominations will be submitted in writing at the May meeting. No nominations will be accepted at any other time. All nominations will be turned in to the President and picked by the President for each division.
Article 25 – Barret Award
The Barret Award is given to the most improved player with the best attitude. All nominations must be turned into the President.
Article 26 – History of amendments
1. Added – Article 26 to track all amendments to the Bylaws.
2. Amended – Article 16 – Selection of Managers
From - Previous year manager has the right to the same team for the current year for the exception of Article 2 of the playing rules.
Open manager positions must be announced prior to team selections. Should a position open during the season, the Executive Board will select a coach from that team for the balance of the season.
Existing managers have the right to be selected by the board for a vacant team and take their seniority with them.
Any open position will be elected by the board members. All coaches and managers must take a safety course in order to hold a position on the league.
To: Previous year manager has the right to the same team for the current year for the exception of Article 2 of the playing rules.
Open manager positions must be announced prior to team selections. Should a position open during the season, the Executive Board will select a coach from that team for the balance of the season.
Existing managers have the right to be selected by the board for a vacant team and take their seniority with them.
Any open position will be elected by the board members. All coaches and managers must take a safety course in order to hold a position on the league.
All managers are only allowed to manage one team within the league, unless there is a vacant team and the board approves the appointment.
Each manager is allowed to coach a division for a maximum of three years. At which point the position will become vacant and a new manager must be voted into the position.
Adopted 2/11/08
Revised 2/2008