ELIGIBILITY
MEN AND WOMEN MAY COMPETE ON AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF TEAMS IN DEARBORN RECREATION DEPARTMENT SPONSORED LEAGUES. AS ALWAYS, PLAYERS MUST BE PROPERLY REGISTERED ON EACH TEAM’S ROSTER PRIOR TO PARTICIPATING IN ANY LEAGUE, PLAYOFF OR TOURNAMENT GAME.
NOTE: A PLAYER CANNOT REGISTER WITH TWO TEAMS THAT PLAY ON THE SAME EVENING.
TEAM ROSTERS
1. Teams shall not have more than twenty players on their roster at any time during the season. This number shall include playing managers. Roster forms with each player’s information shall be on file in the office of the Recreation Department before a player is eligible to participate.
2. Rosters are final as of August 1, 2023. No additions may be made after that date. Rosters are to be completed online through League Scheduler, or managers may turn in a hard copy.
3. THE USE OF AN ILLEGAL PLAYER IN A SPORTS CONTEST MAY RESULT IN (1) THE SUSPENSION OF THE MANAGER AND THE PLAYER INVOLVED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS, AND (2) THE FORFEITURE OF THE GAME IN WHICH THE ILLEGAL PLAYER PARTICIPATED. THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE TEAM SHALL BE ALLOWED TO FINISH THE SEASON PROVIDED A SIMILAR INCIDENT DOES NOT OCCUR.
28 (24 games guaranteed) regular season games if you are playing in the doubleheader leagues.
14 (12 games guaranteed) regular season games if you are playing in the single game leagues.
Once the regular season and playoff schedules have been prepared there will be NO CHANGES MADE.
The regular season is tentatively scheduled to begin Sunday, April 30, 2023 and end in early August.
Game Times at Selected Fields:
Field Times
King Boring 6:15, 7:20, 8:25, 9:30
Ford Woods #1 6:15, 7:20, 8:25, 9:30
Ford Woods #2 6:15, 7:20, 8:25, 9:30
Crowley 6:15, 7:20, 8:25, 9:30
STANDINGS
All standings will be updated weekly. The team with the best regular season record will be the Division Champion. In the case of a tie, head to head play will be the first determining factor. If head to head play is not applicable, a playoff game will be held to determine the Division Champion.
TOURNAMENTS AND PLAYOFFS
Once the regular season has been completed, postseason play will begin shortly thereafter. The format will be determined at a later date.
UMPIRE’S FEE
1. All teams are required to pay $15 to the umpire before each league game. In the Men’s Tournament of Champions, two umpires will be used, so teams are required to pay $20 to one umpire before each game.
2. In the event of inclement weather after the first pitch is thrown but prior to the fourth inning beginning, the umpire shall convene with both team managers and a majority (2 out of 3) vote will be required to forfeit a game. The umpire shall retain half his fee ($15) and both teams will be responsible for the full ($30) umpire fee if the game is rescheduled at a later date.
3. In the event a game is rained out after 5 innings have been completed (4½ if the home team is ahead), the game shall be considered official and the umpire will keep the umpire’s fee.
4. A forfeit that is called in before 3 p.m. the day of the game will be considered an excused forfeit. A forfeit called in after 3 p.m. the day of the game will be considered unexcused. Any team committing an unexcused forfeit will be responsible for the $15 umpire fee for that game. This forfeit fee must be paid before the team’s next scheduled game.
RULES
1. The USSSA rules shall govern play in the Dearborn softball leagues, except where otherwise noted. The Dearborn Recreation Department and the Dearborn Recreation Commission will mediate any rule discrepancies.
2. Metal cleats ARE NOT ALLOWED in any league.
3. A game in which the one hour and five minute time limit expires, regardless of how many innings have been played will be considered completed. Ties will be broken in all games, regardless of the time limit.
4. Teams may bat as many players as desired. To bat more than 10, players must be present at game time. If a team starts with 10 or more players and one of those players cannot continue the game for any reason and no substitute is available, his spot becomes an automatic out in the batting order and it is the responsibility of the batting team to declare that out. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit.
5. Teams must start and finish each game with a minimum of eight (8) players on the field.
6. A team must start with at least 8 players. If you start with 8 players you may add up too 10th player to batting lineup at any time during the game. However, this 9th or 10th player must bat in the 9th and 10th spot respectively in the batting order. They may assume a defensive position as soon as they arrive at the field and is ready to play without delaying the game. If you start with 10 players, once the first pitch is thrown, you may not add any more players.
7. Courtesy runners are allowed one per inning – anyone in the lineup may run.
8. Pitching distance is 50' and the distance between bases is 70’.
9. Tag Play - a player, who intentionally and deliberately crashed into a fielder with great force when the fielder has the ball in his possession waiting for the runner, is out and the ball is dead. If the act is determined by the umpire to be flagrant, the runner shall be ejected.
10. Foul Third Strike - USSSA authorizes a 3-2 count to be used. When a batter incurs a count of 1 strike, he will be called out on his second foul ball. On a 1 strike second foul ball, the batter is automatically out and the ball is dead, regardless of whether a fielder makes a play or attempted play on the ball.
11. No new inning will start after one hour and five minutes unless the game is tied. Games tied after seven (7) innings will continue by playing additional innings until a winner is determined.
12. NO JEWELRY WILL BE ALLOWED. Exposed jewelry such as wrist watches, bracelets, large or loop earrings, neck chains, rings, or any other item judged dangerous by the umpire may not be worn during the game.
13. The drinking of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited during scheduled league games. Any player or coach observed drinking an alcoholic beverage on the bench during a game may be removed for the remainder of the game. Umpires will be given the discretion to eject individuals or forfeit games if alcohol is observed in or around the bench area. Recreation personnel have the authority to suspend players or teams for violations of the alcohol policy.
14. Smoking and/or use of tobacco products is strictly prohibited on the playing field and on the player’s bench. Umpires will be given the discretion to eject individuals or forfeit games if tobacco products are observed in or around the bench area.
15. Each team will be allowed (5) five over the fence homeruns. Each successive homerun is an out.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Managers and team members are advised that participation in softball can result in injuries from such incidents as sliding into bases, colliding with other players and objects being hit by batted and thrown balls. THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR THE HEAD, GROIN AND LEGS FOR PITCHERS IN ALL OF OUR SOFTBALL LEAGUES.
GAME BALLS
Game Balls will be distributed by the umpires.
SCHEDULES
All league games and/or makeup games shall be played on dates and times designated by the Recreation Department. No special scheduling requests will be taken. Every effort will be made to create a fair and balanced schedule. Schedules will be posted online Friday, April 28, 2023.
FORFEIT
1. All games shall be played according to schedule. If a team fails to appear at their scheduled time of play the game shall be forfeited. There is NO grace period for 6:15 games.
2. The Recreation Department shall forfeit a game in which an ineligible player participates.
3. A forfeit that is called in before 3 p.m. the day of the game will be considered an excused forfeit. A forfeit called in after 3 p.m. the day of the game will be considered unexcused. Any team committing an unexcused forfeit will be responsible for the $15 umpire fee for that game. This forfeit fee must be paid before the team’s next scheduled game.
PROTESTS
1. A player may be protested at any time during the game for a $100, per player protested fee that shall be paid at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. The player in question must sign the score sheet. Failure to sign the score sheet shall result in a forfeit. Once the last out has been made, no player protests are allowed.
2. Protests on rule interpretations shall be presented in writing to the Recreation Department within 24 hours from the scheduled time of the game. Intent of protest must be made known to the umpire at the point of violation. No protest on umpire judgments will be allowed. Protests must be in writing and they must include the date, time and place, names of teams, officials, the rule violated and all other essential facts involved in the matter under protest.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
A. Game officials have complete authority over the game and the players.
B. Managers (actual or acting) of any ejected player will be notified by the plate umpire that the ejected person has two minutes to leave the playing area. The player must leave the field and park areas immediately.
C. Some offenses will carry with them both individual, as well as team punishments.
D. The following penalties will be in effect:
Offense Category #1 – Ejection and up to Two Week Suspension**
1. Profanity
2. Inappropriate Gestures
3. Excessive Arguing or Poor Sportsmanship
4. Any flagrant breach of the Field Conduct Rules
5. Violation of Alcohol Policies
6. Incomplete Roster / Illegal Participation
7. Any other behavior determined inappropriate by an official or the League Director
Offense Category #2 – Ejection and up to Four Week Suspension**
1. Verbal/Physical Threats to an official or player
2. Any 2nd Offense from Category #1
3. Any other behavior determined inappropriate by an official or the League Director
Offense Category #3 – Ejection and up to Two Year Expulsion**
1. Any 2nd Offense from Category #2
2. Any 3rd Offense from Category #1
3. Consuming Drugs
4. Falsifying roster information
5. Physically Touching a Player in an aggressive manner (Push, poke, bump, hit, etc.)
6. Swinging at, striking or fighting with another individual
7. Use of an altered and/or illegal bat
8. Any action that endangers the safety of any player, coach, official or bystander
Offense Category #4 – Ejection and up to Lifetime Ban**
1. Physically Touching an Official in an aggressive manner (Push, poke, bump, hit, etc.)
2. Use of an altered or illegal bat; resulting in an injury to a player, coach, official or bystander
1. Managers, coaches, players, substitutes, trainers, bat boys or other team member or occupant of the bench, shall not, from any place, including coach boxes:
a. Incite, or try to incite by word or sign demonstration, either opponents and/or spectators.
b. Use language that will in refer to or reflect upon opposing players, the umpires or spectators.
c. Commit any act that could be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.
d. Any swearing or other vulgar language on or near the field of play.
EFFECT - Any act of unsportsmanlike conduct will result in immediate ejection from the game. NO WARNING WILL BE GIVEN.
2. Any player ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct or otherwise written up by the umpire will be suspended indefinitely until a final judgment is made by the Parks & Rec staff. Any person in disagreement with the disciplinary action may appeal the decision by filing a written notice to the Assistant Director, The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center - Dearborn, MI 48126 within twenty-one days of the date on the letter-issuing penalty. The appeal will be scheduled and heard by the softball infraction committee.
3. Managers are responsible for the actions of their team. The person who signs the score sheet at the beginning of the game assumes the responsibilities of the manager.
4. HEARINGS - Any player, coach or manager attending a hearing by the Dearborn Recreation Department must conduct themselves in an orderly manner at all times. Any misconduct during a hearing is subject to further disciplinary action under this subsection.
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR MANAGERS
1. On days of inclement weather, a final decision on the status of games will be made by 5 p.m. The weather line phone number is (313) 943-2350, when you hear the menu recording, please follow the prompts.
2. A change in manager’s phone numbers and/or address should be reported to the Recreation Department as soon as possible.
3. The 20-run travesty rule is invoked at the end of the half-inning when the home team is leading and at the end of the complete inning when the visiting team is leading (after a minimum of 2 1/2 or 3 innings).
4 The 15-run mercy rule is invoked at the end of the half-inning when the home team is leading and at the end of the complete inning when the visiting team is leading (after a minimum of 3 1/2 or 4 innings).
5. The 10-run mercy rule is invoked at the end of the half-inning when the home team is leading and at the end of the complete inning when the visiting team is leading (after a minimum of 4 1/2 or 5 innings).
6. IMPORTANT: Please print the first and last names of all players on score sheets to facilitate the writing of newspaper articles. The manager, assistant manager or a player on the roster must sign each score sheet. Failure of a team representative to sign will result in a forfeit.
7. Please print all required information on all score sheets with special emphasis on names of teams and division. (Know the correct league and division that you are in)
8. Please note: The Dearborn Parks & Rec Department will conduct random bat testing throughout the 2023 season and beyond. Use of an altered or illegal bat, including, but not limited to a bat that fails 220 compression testing will result in a suspension of up to 2 years.
AWARDS
Awards will be given out after playoffs have ended. All leagues need to be completed before we can order any awards and this includes the fall softball season. Awards go as followed:
Men’s Tournament of Champions – Sponsor Trophy + Champion Shirts
Men’s League Night Champions – Sponsor Trophy
COED Playoff Champions – Sponsor Trophy
LEAGUE GAMES BEGIN THE WEEK OF April 30.
Sports Office: (313) 943-2350
Weather/Schedules: All managers will be emailed a final decision on the day of the game in question and the Dearborn Parks & Rec + Dearborn Softball Facebook pages will be updated. There will also be a WhatsApp group chat for all team managers to be a part of in which only admins can send messages.
Ayman Mustafa
Softball Coordinator/Chief Umpire
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Jason Sullivan
Assistant Supervisor (Sports & Parks)
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