1) League : ASA rules unless noted in the rules below. All Rules not in the By-laws are being followed out of the ASA Rule book.
2) League Fee: $400 . Insurance, Field Cost, Score book plus balls for Playoffs.

3) In consideration of the furtherance of the South Hills Softball League objectives and in consideration of your permitting me to participate in South Hills Softball League, I hereby waive and release the South Hills Softball League, the municipalities through which the event will take place, as well as any other persons or entity connected with the event, from all liability for damages or injuries which may be suffered while taking part in the event, or in connection with the event, as a result thereof.
4) Games: Each Team will play 6/7 Double Headers (12/14 games) Season Runs from September 8, 2019 thru Mid November.
5) The league will play double header 7-inning games. Each team will be the home team one game. The home team the first game (usually the team holding the field permit) is responsible for checking the field and putting down the bases and marking the pitcher’s mound.
6) Umpires: The umpire fee is $35/game, paid by the home team. Denny Reft is the contact person for the umpires (412) 344-6105.

7) Rain Outs: In case of inclement weather the home team the first game is responsible for checking the field and notifying the opposing team and Denny Reft at least 1 hour prior to game time. Also inform other team, and myself so I can have the lights turned off at the field. In addition, the league will be notified of all rain outs. The league will reschedule the rain outs.

8) Cancelations: Weather/field conditions are the only acceptable reason for cancelation of a game (see Rain Outs). A team that cancels a game for any other reason will receive a forfeit (see Forfeits). If a game is stopped due to darkness or inclement weather it will be considered completed if the trailing team has batted in 5 complete innings. If a game has past the full 5 innings, the final outcome determined reverts back to the last full inning. (Post season game will be froze in spot and continued at another date)
9) Forfeits: If a team forfeits the day before and up till game time the team that is forfeiting is responsible for paying the umpire $40.00 (10.00 travel Fee/30.00). Bye the first pitch of their first game the following week to the umpire. Plus their regular fees for the games being played that night.
10) Lineup: A team can bat 9, 10, 11 or 12. If a team starts with 9 they can add their 10th or 11th player at any time. The 12th player can only be added if the team has not batted through their lineup 1 time.
11) A) AH rule: Two players can share the same spot in the line-up. Only one of the players can be on the field (defense or offense) at a time. They can freely substitute at any time, for example if player "A" gets on base player "B" can run for player "A" and this is not counted as a courtesy runner. 2 MAX PER GAME

12) Field Preparation: The home team will stake (with at least 1 stake) down the bases (70 ft) and mark the pitcher’s mound (53 ft). If you choose to not use a peg , you have to be in the vicinity of the bases umpires discretion. Except 1b and home plate.
14) No metal Spikes.
15) Pitcher must wear a face mask. Failure for your pitcher wearing a mask will result in your team forfeiting the game. This is for your own safety.
16) No Stealing.
17) League Balls: Hit your own .52 300 ball. Playoff balls will be supplied by the League.
18)
18) League Bats: ASA bats rules will be followed. On approved list and not on the banned list. Fast Pitch bats are not allowed at all….. All bats used in the South Hills Softball League will be tested and stickered. Also Senergy bats which I have allowed for the past two seasons are banned since they are on the bat banned list.

BAT TESTING POLICES
19) All bats must pass the approved tester. If the bat passes this tester it will be returned to the owner immediately, if it fails the serial number of the bat and he owners information will be recorded in the Leagues data base, this could mean that the bat grip needs to be removed to obtain the serial number. The bat will returned to the owner with a signed letter that explains they may no longer use that bat in the 2019 South Hills Softball League. The fail range on the new tester is 1450 psi or lower.

20) For the Fall : I will honor all Steel Valley , South Hills, and North HIlls Stickers.

With the Exception of these bats that are non-Linear ASA bats A non-linear bat is a bat whose structure deviates from the traditional single wall, multi wall and/or layered composite designs.
The bats' performance will consistently and repeatedly produce BCT results softer than the existing threshold and have not produced a BBS over 98.
20) Bat Testing/Protest
a. Challenges (ASA legal): At any time the coach, and only the coach, can ask the umpire to inspect a bat to see if it is ASA legal And has the current 2018 league label. http://www.softball.org/about/certified_equipment.asp
The Umpires are not responsible to check to see if the bat has the League Label on it.
b. Protests (shaved/painted/altered): The protesting team must submit $40 to the umpire in order to protest a bat. The umpire will remove the bat from play and turn it over to the Commissioner. The league officers will inspect the bat in order to determine if the bat has been altered. If owner refuses to submit the bat for inspection, the owner is banned for 1-yr. If a bat is found to be altered the bat will put on the banned list for the league. The $40.00 is no REFUNDABLE!!!

a. There will be certain Bat Testing dates throughout the season to test new bats. These will be on selected Saturday Mornings. So, if you buy a bat you have to wait to the Saturday to have Tested.
b. If the bat doesn’t have a 2019 Sticker on the bat, the player using the bat is ejected if out and all runners go back to their original bases. And the bat is removed from the game.

21) Softballs per game: Home team throws 1 new ball and backup into game. Teams who hit Homeruns or balls that lost over the fence are responsible for replacing softball.
a) Both teams can throw a new softball in at any time when they are up to bat.
22) Balls and Strikes: The third strike must be put in play. i.e. no fouls after 2 strikes. If a third strike foul is caught the runners may tag up. The league will use a 1-1 starting count in order to insure the games can be completed in the allotted time.
23) Pitching Arc: The pitching arc is six (6) feet to ten (10) feet from the ground.
24) Dangerous Play / Unsportsmanlike Conduct: At the umpire’s discretion, the umpire will eject any player from the game if the umpire feels that player is attempting to injure another player. For instance, sliding to injure, throwing a ball at a player, hitting the middle with the intent to strike or harm the pitcher on purpose, verbal threats, etc. The league reserves the right to suspend any player as a result of serious misconduct.

25) Mercy Rule: A full seven (7) innings need not be played if the home team is ahead by twelve (12) or more runs at any point after 4½ innings have been played. A full seven (7) innings need not be played if the visiting team is ahead by twelve (12) or more runs at the end of any full inning after and including the fifth inning, i.e. after the home team bats.

a) 20 after 3 complete (Home teams gets to bat)
b) 12 after 5 complete (home team gets to bat)
26) Runner Rule: 1 Courtesy Runner per Inning. Can be anyone on Roster. Doesn’t have to be in the lineup. If the runner is on base and he is up that batter is out. There will not be a re-entry allowed for this. If you are sharing a spot in the lineup this doesn’t count for your courtesy runner. If a batter who needs a runner is up for a second time in an inning, the same person must run for him that ran the first time.
27) EXTRA Innings: Will play under international rule of softball. A runner will start at 2b to start the inning. It can either be the last out the prior inning or you can use your courtesy runner to run.

28) HOME RUN RULE : DIVISION 1: 3 THEN OUTS
DIVISION 2: 2 THEN OUTS
DIVISON3 AND BELOW 1 THEN OUTS