| PERFORMING ARTS SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS |
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I. SPORTSMANSHIP RULES IX. RAINOUTS & FORFEITS II. ROSTERS X. GROUND RULES III. STARTING TIMES/SCHEDULES XI. PROTESTS IV. EQUIPMENT XII. LEAGUE STRUCTURE/PLAYOFFS V. PRE-GAME PRACTICE XIII. LEAGUE MEETINGS VI. LINEUPS XIV. LEAGUE FEES VII. GAMES XV. AWARDS VIII. LEAGUE PLAY XVI. ELIGIBILITY
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1. Any demonstration of unsportsmanlike behavior directed toward any official, opponent, teammate or fan at any league game is strictly prohibited. These violations include (but are not limited to) unsportsmanlike or abusive language, physical intimidation or intimidating gestures, physical contact of any kind with an umpire, verbal threats of violence, excessive arguing, taunting or inciting. Offenders will be subject to immediate ejection. It is the manager’s responsibility to control his players. Failure to do so may result in the ejection of the manager along with offending parties. 2. Any individual ejected from a game due to a violation of the league’s sportsmanship rules shall be automatically suspended for the team's next scheduled game as well. Managers may appeal the situation to be reviewed by the Commission within 24 hours of the offense. Players and managers will be notified of final decision 48 hours prior to the team’s next game. 3. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of any player, manager, team official, fan or sponsor, as described in this section, may be cause for suspension or permanent banishment from the Performing Arts Softball League, at the discretion of the Commission. If any player has had prior suspensions, he/she will lose their playoff eligibility. Any player who receives a third suspension will be ineligible to play for the rest of the season, regardless of the number of games remaining; along with a warning of permanent expulsion. 4. Umpires will issue one verbal warning to both teams if a rule is violated, such as abuse of equipment (throwing a bat or kicking the bases), stepping on the fielder’s base at first, decoying a runner without the ball (phantom tag), etc. Successive violations will result in an ejection of the player and/or manager, or, in extreme cases, a forfeit. 5. Once a player is ejected from the game, he will not be replaced in the field or the batting order. If and when the ejected player's number comes up, it will be an automatic out. 6. Contacting an umpire at any time other than at the field during league games is strictly prohibited. This includes contact via telephone, text, email or any other method. Violations are punishable by suspension at the discretion of the Commission. 7. The use of marijuana at league games is strictly prohibited. This includes the bleachers, the sidelines and all areas surrounding the fields. This is mandated by permit and by rule. Violators will be subject to immediate suspension and/or other punitive measures. |
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II. ROSTERS 2. All players must have some connection with the performing arts (See Section XVI: Eligibility). Players who have been 'grandfathered in' as 'non-affiliates' are eligible to play. Use of an ineligible player(s) will result in a forfeit. 3. Documentation is required as proof of performing arts connection or connection with the sponsoring organization. This documentation may be in the form of a union card, a copy of an authentic playbill or program, receipt for performance-related expenses, a copy of verifiable performance related paycheck or pay stub, or proof of representation by an agent, manager, etc. Resumes alone are not acceptable as they can be easily falsified. A resume with an attached picture or agent/manager logo will be accepted at the discretion of the Commissioner. 4. A maximum of 35 players may be placed on a team roster for the first 6 weeks of the season, after which rosters shall be pared down to 25 active players. 5. Rosters and documentation must be submitted by the end of the sixth week. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit. 6. Up until the start of the 6th week of the season ~ regardless of how many games have been played ~ a team may add players to the roster. If the team is already at the 25 active player limit, a name must be removed from the active roster for each one added. After the sixth week, the rosters are closed and no new names may be added. 7. If a player wishes to transfer to another team during the season he must do so before rosters are locked after the 6th week of the season, and obtain approval from the managers of both teams involved, and submitted to the Commissioner for league approval. 8. Any player transferring to another team may not play with his new team if he has already played that day with his former team. 9. A player is required to play in a minimum of five (5) regular season games in order to be eligible for the playoffs. 10. Rosters and documentation will be strictly adhered to. If a manager feels an ineligible player is being inserted, he should protest immediately to the umpire and give notice to the Commissioner. The umpire may require a signature for roster verification. 11. Unless and until the Commission deems it absolutely necessary, there will be no more allowances made for non-affiliates for any teams, regardless of standing. |
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III. STARTING TIMES AND SCHEDULES 2. In the event of a tie at the end of 7 full innings, the game will continue. If still tied after 8 innings the game will go to the USA tie-breaker (the last recorded out on second base to start the new inning) until a winner is declared. No new inning can start after 2pm in the Noon Division. Unfinished tie games will be completed another day by arrangement with both managers. |
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1. The league provides two (2) new F12 ‘Limited Flight’ Clincher softballs to each umpire before the start of every game. 2. The league is responsible for providing the bases, including an orange courtesy bag for first base. Umpires will be responsible for setting up the bases for each game. The winning teams from the 2pm Division should, as a courtesy, collect the bases and place them in the box behind Heckscher #4. 3. BATS - The League will provide two (2) USA Approved bats for gameplay: One 34" 26oz. composite bat, and one 34" 28oz. composite bat. These are the only bats that will be allowed in games. 4. Teams are required to have uniform shirts by the start of the 4th game. After that, an opposing manager may ask that a strike is called on any player that is not in uniform. T-shirts with sponsor’s logos are acceptable. 5. Metal spikes and are not allowed. Penalties for this violation are the same as USA penalties. |
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V. PRE-GAME PRACTICE 2. Teams are not allowed to interfere with games in progress by warming up too close to the playing field. |
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VI. LINEUPS 2. Teams have a choice of using a 10 man lineup, with or without a designated hitter, an extra hitter (11th batter who does not play in the field), or any combination thereof. 3. If a team does not have a player to take the place of a removed or injured player's spot in the lineup, that spot vacated in the order will be an automatic out. 4. If a team begins the game with less than the maximum number of players (11, including the EH) they may add to the lineup until they have gone through the batting order one full time. Once the leadoff hitter bats a 2nd time, the lineup is closed. At that point, normal substitution rules apply. 5. Anyone participating in a game must be able to identify himself if so requested by the opposing manager or umpire. Verification of signature with the roster and/or documentation may be immediately requested. Failure to identify oneself, or use of an ineligible player, results in an automatic forfeit. 6. Prior to the start of the game (and during the game, if necessary), umpires will take photos of each team's lineup as entered in their respective scorebooks. Lineups must be legible and contain first and last names. DH, EH, and courtesy runners must be specified. A maximum of 2 courtesy runners will be allowed. Substitutions must be announced to the umpire before play is resumed. |
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VII. GAMES 2. A new ball will be put into play at both the top and bottom half(s) of the 1st inning. Thereafter, the umpire will select the ball in the best condition for play. 3. The Commissioner will decide if games will be called because of rain or unplayable conditions as soon as possible. Once at the field, umpires will make the decision. 4. The league employs a 10-run mercy rule. The moment a team is losing by 10 or more runs after 5 innings, the game is official and over. The home team, if losing in any inning after the 5th by 10 runs or more, will not be permitted to bat and the game will be official and over. (Teams may continue play after these conditions are met if both managers agree, but there is no obligation for the umpire to stay.) 5. The run-rule is waived during the playoffs unless the losing team admits defeat, at which point the score will be recorded. |
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VIII. LEAGUE PLAY a. This is a modified, or '9 o'clock' fastpitch league. Meaning the pitcher cannot go past '9 o'clock' in the backswing of his delivery, and cannot hide the ball behind his back at any time during his pitching motion. He cannot slap the ball off his hip, and he must keep his hips square to the batter upon his delivery. b. The strike zone is over the plate, and from the "letters" (armpits) to the knees. c. Any 'arc ball' pitches, i.e., pitches higher than 6 feet that drop into the batting zone will be called an automatic ball, and a warning to the pitcher will be issued. 2. Bases are measured at 65 feet. The pitching rubber is measured at 46 feet from the back point of home plate. 3. No stealing. No leading off a base until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand - otherwise, it is an automatic out. On a pick-off play, it is a force play at the base; no tag is necessary. On a successful pickoff play, all other runners must tag up before attempting to advance. The runner who is the target of the pick-off must make an immediate attempt to return to his base or he is automatically out. In the event of an unsuccessful pickoff attempt, the ball is in play and runners may advance at their own risk without having to tag up. 4. A batter/runner running to first on an infield play must step on the orange courtesy base and not the fielder's base. One warning will be given by the umpire. Thereafter, it is an automatic out. Sliding into first base from the home plate direction is not allowed. On a ball that reaches the outfield, the runner is allowed to touch the fielder's base provided there is no play to first. 5. Runners must make every effort to avoid collisions, either by sliding or giving themselves up. A player causing a collision will be called out, the ball is dead, and the umpire has the option of ejecting that player from the game. This rule includes fielders in possession of or attempting to catch or throw the ball. The trailing runner may also be called out if in the umpire's judgment such action prevented the fielder from attempting to complete a doubleplay. Runners return to the last base touched at the time of the interference. 6. Chopping (hitting a ball down towards the ground in front of home plate) is not permitted at any time. Bunting is also not allowed. 7. Balls thrown into dead ball areas will result in runners being awarded two bases from the base they occupied when the ball was released. 8. The courtesy runner will be the last recorded out. This rule is not to be used merely to get a faster runner into the game, but may only be used to allow an injured or partially disabled player to participate. The player to be pinch-run for must be designated as such on the lineup cards before the game. 9. The league employs the re-entry substitution rule. A player in the starting lineup who has been substituted for may be re-inserted into the lineup for the same player who replaced him. He returns to his original spot in the batting order. The player who was his substitute is then out of the game, (except in the case of replacing an injured player, if agreed to by the opposing manager). 10. NO 'phantom tags'. If a fielder doesn't have possession of the ball he may not fake the oncoming running into thinking he does. A warning will be issued and if the player is found doing it again in any other games he will be ejected and subject to disciplinary action. |
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IX. RAINOUTS & FORFEITS 2. If the determination is made that the games are on, and the weather subsequently becomes worse or questionable, the message on the rainout number will be updated by 1pm for the 2pm games. The message will only be changed if there is a change in status. Otherwise, assume all games are on. 3. After a game begins, or before a game begins with both teams present, it is in the hands of the umpire. Only an umpire can call a game. Managers or players cannot decide to quit – this will be declared a forfeit. 4. If the games are not canceled and a team does not have enough players because they either did not expect to play or did not want to play, that team will forfeit. If both teams do not have enough players, a double forfeit will be called with both teams receiving a loss. These are ASA rules. 5. Rained out games will be rescheduled as a doubleheader the next time the two teams are scheduled to meet. The first game will be a 5-inning game. The second game will be as many innings as time allows, as long as it does not interfere with the starting time of another game. 6. Suspended games of less than 5 innings, or suspended games that are tied, will be completed at the discretion and scheduling of both managers, with a sanctioned umpire officiating. Games that are suspended after 5 complete innings, or 4½ innings with the home team ahead, will be considered final. 7. Only a commissioner or an umpire can suspend or postpone a game. If you do not get definite word from a commissioner or an umpire, consider the games to be on. 8. Every effort will be made to play all games as scheduled, as we do not have the luxury of extra weeks to reschedule games. However, in the interest of players’ safety and the quality of play, games will not be played in unsatisfactory or unsafe conditions. Occasionally, games will be played in less than optimum conditions (light rain, wet fields, etc.). It is expected that all teams will cooperate in preparing fields, if necessary. 9. Should a team forfeit a game, they will be responsible for paying the umpire's fees. In the past, a team that had two forfeitures would be done for the season, regardless of potential playoff status. |
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1. Rules for individual fields will be discussed by the managers and umpires at the home plate meeting before the game. 2. Balls that hit trees in foul territory will be dead and a foul ball strike. A fly ball that hits a tree or any leaf in fair territory will be deemed a dead ball, no pitch. 3. Any play where a fielder is interfered with by a player from another field will be called out if, in the umpire’s judgment, it would have been caught, or a force play in the infield would have been made. 4. Any batted ball that contacts a player on another field will be considered in play. |
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XI. PROTESTS 2. Protests can only be filed on the interpretation of a PASL and/or USA rule. Protests cannot be made on balls and strikes calls, out or safe calls, or any judgment call by an umpire. 3. The protest will be reviewed by the Commissioner and two managers/league officials who were not involved in the game. Their decision is final and binding. 4. If the Commissioner’s team, or either of the Co-Commissioner’s teams, are involved in a protest, they must recuse themselves from any decision-making process, and alternates will be named in such a case. |
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XII. LEAGUE STRUCTURE/PLAYOFFS 1. The Commission consists of three people: The Commissioner and two Co-Commissioners. The Commissioner has authority to regulate, legislate and prosecute league policy. The Co-Commissioners shall be named by the Commissioner, usually for a two-year period, and are charged with the responsibility of aiding the Commissioner in decisions regarding rules and policy and the overall state of the league. Ideally, the Co-Commissioners should be a manager (or former manager) of a team from each division. The Commissioner reserves the right to name an alternate should either of the Co-Commissioners be unable to fulfill their duties. 2. The league consists of two divisions, 12 Noon and 2pm. There are four teams in each division. During the 15-game regular season, each team will play a 5-game series with the other teams in its division. 3. Playoffs begin the week after the end of the regular season. The first 3 teams in each division will qualify for the tournament. The #1 seeds in each division will receive a bye week. #2 seeds will host the #3 seeds in a one-game playoff. 4th place finishers will be eliminated from playoff contention. The playoff schedule will be made at the Commissioner’s discretion. 4. In case of ties in the division standings, seedings will be decided using the following criteria, in order: a) Best head-to-head record b) Fewest overall runs allowed c) Most overall runs scored 5. The divisional playoff tournament is single elimination. In the first round (Divisional semis) #1 seed gets a bye week; #2 seed hosts #3 seed. Winners of the Division semis will meet in their respective division finals the following week. Single elimination. The higher seed is always the home team. 6. The Final Series will match the winners of each divisional playoff in a Best of 3. Should the series go to a Game 3, that game will be 9-innings, winner-take-all. 7. Playoff scheduling is subject to field availability, dates, and permits. |
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XIII. LEAGUE MEETINGS 2. Voting on new proposals or procedures will be carried by a simple majority. 3. All new proposals must be submitted to the Commissioner at least two weeks in advance of the preseason managers’ meeting. |
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XIV. LEAGUE FEES 2. League fees must be paid in full before the first league game. |
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XV. AWARDS |
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1. All eligibility rules are in effect unless amended by a majority vote of managers. All players must be able to verify their eligibility with proper documentation (See Sec. II, Rules 2-4). NO player with prior Major League Baseball (MLB) experience may be added to a PASL roster. Any violation of this rule will result in immediate and permanent expulsion of said player(s), forfeits of any games in which they played, and mandatory suspensions for the respective managers. 2. Anyone participating in a game must be able to identify himself if it is so requested by the opposing manager or umpire. Verification of signature and/or documentation may be immediately requested. Failure to identify oneself, or use of an ineligible player, will result in an automatic forfeit. 3. Sons and daughters of SAGAFTRA or AEA members are eligible to play in the league. ELIGIBLE: Actor, singer, dancer, musician, stand-up comedian, sketch/improv comedian, TV/radio newscaster, talk show host, composer, performance artist, movie/TV extra, TV/radio weather/sportscaster, radio DJ, director, TV/screenwriter, playwright, comedy writer, songwriter, staff/tech for live stage or TV/movies/radio, stage manager/production manager, voice-over artist, acting/singing/dance teacher, circus performer, producer, spokesmodel, sound engineer, public access TV host/performer, infomercial host/performer, entertainment photographer, magician/magician’s assistant/staff/tech, clown, mime, runway/fashion model, make up/costume designer, set/lighting designer, agent/manager (performance-related), photo model, special effects designer/tech, news/weather/sports writer, publicist, entertainment booker, cartoonist, street performer. NOT ELIGIBLE: Toy/product demonstrator/spokesperson, artist, literary agent, live DJ/MC, book writer, seminar/lecture leader for performance-related audience or non-performance-related audience, non-entertainment photographer, entertainment or non-entertainment lawyer, magazine writer, journalist, bullshit artist, ad writer, motivational speaker, school/college teacher, MLB players, clergy. All this said, the league has long understood the need for a balance of competitiveness and affiliation and reserves the right to weigh a team's need for the eligibility clause to be waived on a case-by-case basis. |
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All rules published herein will be enforceable and binding throughout the regular season and playoffs. Jack Mulcahy, Commissioner ~ Performing Arts Softball League |