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Regina
Great Western Rambler Park Coed Slo-Pitch League
Constitution and Bylaws Article I Name and Objectives A. The Name The name of this organization shall be the Regina Great Western Rambler Park Coed Slo-Pitch League, hereafter called “The Slo-Pitch League”. B. Objectives The objectives of the Slo-Pitch League shall be to foster, improve and perpetuate the game of Slo-Pitch, and to assist and encourage all teams under the jurisdiction of the Slo-Pitch League. Article II Membership A. Team Membership
Article III Executive Council A. The Executive Council
B. The General Council
Article IV Powers and Duties A. The Executive Council
B. The General Council 1. Shall elect the Executive Council members. 2. Shall approve all motions presented at General Council meetings by majority vote. Article V Meetings A. Annual General Council Meeting 1. The Annual General Council Meeting shall be held in Early Spring no later that March 31. 2. Notification shall be made to Team Representatives of the date of this meeting at least seven (7) days before the scheduled time of the meeting. 3. Order of Business shall be: a. Reading of the minutes of the last General Meeting and adoption thereof b. Business arising from the minutes c. Secretary/Treasurer’s report d. President’s report e. General business f. Election of Executive Council g. New Business h. Adjournment B. Semi-Annual General Meeting 1. It shall be held no later than April 1st . 2. Notification shall be made to Team Representatives of the date of this meeting at least seven (7) days before the scheduled time of the meeting. 3. Order of Business shall be: a. Reading of the minutes of the last General Meeting and adoption thereof b. Business arising from the minutes c. Secretary/Treasurer’s report d. President’s report e. General business f. New Business g. Adjournment C. Special General Council Meetings 1. A Special General Council meeting of the Slo-Pitch League may be called by the President as and when he considers it necessary, but he shall always call a Special General Council meeting when requested in writing to do so by at least three (3) Teams. This meeting shall be called within seven (7) days from receipt of such request. Notification of such a meeting shall be made to Team Representatives at least two (2) days before the scheduled time of the meeting. D. Executive Council Meetings 1. An Executive Council meeting may be called by the President as and when he considers it necessary, but he shall always call an Executive Council meeting when requested in writing to do so by at least two (2) members of the Executive Council. This meeting shall be called within seven (7) days from receipt of such request. Notification of such a meeting shall be made to Executive Council members at least two (2) days before the scheduled time of the meeting. Article VI Elections and Appointments A. The Executive Council 1. At the Annual Meeting of the Slo-Pitch League, all Executive Council members of the Slo-Pitch League shall retire from office effective January 1st of the year following the Meeting. 2. Election of Executive Council of the Slo-Pitch League (excluding the Past President) will take place at the Annual Meeting and they shall take office effective January 1st of the year following the Meeting. 3. Should the retiring President not be re-elected, he shall automatically assume the office of the Past President, effective January 1st of the year following the Annual General Meeting. B. The General Council 1. Each Team is responsible for choosing their Team Representative for the General Council. 2. Team Representatives shall be registered members of the Slo-Pitch League. Article VII Voting Privileges A. Voting privileges at the General Council meetings should be extended on the basis of: 1. One vote per Team Representative. 2. One vote per Executive Council Member B. Under no circumstances shall a Team Representative cast two votes. C. The President shall cast a vote only in the case of a tie vote. D. There shall be no vote by proxy. Article VIII Amendments A. No amendments or alterations shall be made to the Constitution and Bylaws except at a General Council Meeting of the Slo-Pitch League. Notice of any proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer , not later than one month or thirty (30) days before the General Council Meeting. Copies of the proposed amendments are to be sent to each Team Representative not less than seven (7) days before the General Meeting. B. All amendments or alterations to the Constitution and Bylaws shall be by three quarters majority vote of the delegates present and authorized to vote at the Slo-Pitch League General Meeting. Article IX Suspensions A. The Executive Council reserves the right to suspend or terminate any membership in the Slo-Pitch League. B. Appeals: 1. Any appeal of suspension or termination of membership must be made in writing to the President or his designate within fifteen (15) days of the notice of suspension or termination. 2. While awaiting an appeal decision, suspension or termination of membership shall remain in effect. Article X Dissolution A. On dissolution of the Organization, its property and assets shall be first applied against expenses of disposition, secondly against any debts outstanding, and any remaining property and assets shall be disposed of in such manner as may be decided upon by the Voting Members of the League present at the meeting of the dissolution. Operating Rules A. League and Divisions 1. The Slo-Pitch League will organize as many Divisions as are necessary to accommodate the member Teams. 2. The Executive Council shall designate the team membership in each Division. Every effort will be made to make each Division competitive within itself. The Executive Council decision shall be final. 3. The final Division standings of the previous season shall be used as a guide in establishing membership in the Divisions. The top two teams in a Division must move up to the next higher Division; the bottom two teams must move down to the next lower Division, depending on the number of returning teams the following year. 4. The Executive Council shall assign playing fields for Division and Playoff competition. B. Player Registration 1. Eligibility a. A player shall be eligible for registration in the Slo-Pitch League provided that he is not under suspension by any other slo-pitch association or the Regina Great Western Rambler Park Coed Slo-Pitch League. b. In order to be eligible for Slo-Pitch League tournament and playoffs, a player must have played at least six (6) regular Division games. c. The age limit is the Provincial Legal Age. 2. Procedure for Registration of Players a. All players must be registered twenty-four (24) hours before their first game. Registration shall not exist until the Team’s completed registration forms are in the hands of the Executive. b. Registration forms must be neatly completed to be accepted by the Executive. c. Players may be registered up to midnight June 15th only. d. Each team may be allowed to sign an unlimited number of players. A maximum of twenty (20) players per game will be allowed. Each team must have a minimum of five (5) females on their roster. 3. Procedures for Releasing Players a. Players may be released up to midnight of June 23rd only. b. A team may release a player by written notification of the Executive Council and SPN. c. A player may request release at any time. C. Suspension Discipline and Appeals 1. Players, Managers, Coaches and teams are subject to suspension from the Slo-Pitch League and its activities for the following: a. Players, Managers and Coaches: i. for ungentlemanly conduct or use of abusive language to any official, player or fan on or near the playing field ii. for knowingly playing with or against a player or team that has been suspended iii. for any action detrimental to the game of Slo-Pitch or the Slo-Pitch League as defined by a majority vote of the Executive Council. b. Teams: i. for refusing to play games when they are ordered and able to field a team ii. for playing ineligible players iii. for any action detrimental to the game of Slo-Pitch or the Slo-Pitch League as defined by majority vote of the Executive Council iv. for using an illegal bat off of the banned bat list provided in the team manual 2. The Slo-Pitch League shall have the right to discipline or suspend any person, team member, including players, coaches and managers, or any full team or group in the event that any such person(s) engage in any action or conduct that the Slo-Pitch League at its discretion shall deem to be detrimental to the Slo Pitch League and its members and the purpose of the Slo-Pitch League whether or not such matters occur in connection with any tournament or game situation. 3. Procedure a. The power of suspension and discipline is vested in the Executive Council. If any member of the Council is involved in the matter to be examined he shall relinquish his position for the duration of the investigation. The Executive Council shall fill the temporarily vacated position by appointment. b. The Executive Council will have the authority to gather information by written report or personal interview regarding the issue in question. They alone will determine the length of the suspension or nature of discipline. In the case of any suspension in excess of one week or 3 games, the General Council shall be so advised. 4. Appeals of Suspension a. The procedure for appeal of suspension or discipline will be that established by Article IX of the Organization’s Constitution and Bylaws. D. Defaults and Forfeitures 1. Defaults a. A default shall be ruled when a team fails to field a team for a scheduled Slo Pitch League game. b. A team is in default if it has not fielded a team within 15 minutes of the scheduled starting time. In the event of a double header, a team has an additional 15 minutes to field a team before it is in default of the second game. c. A team losing by default shall be penalized in the following manner: i. 1st default - loss of one half of performance bond ii. 2nd default - loss of remaining half of performance bond iii. after the second default, as determined by the Schedule Supervisor, the Team must replenish their performance bond. iv. the Team must reapply for entry into the league the following year. v. default fines shall be split $15.00 for the defaulted team and $10.00 for the League d. A team is in default if it fails to inform the “tournament/playoff organizing committee” ten (10) days in advance of the tournament or playoffs, that it will not be participating. Such default will result in the loss of the full performance bond. the team must reapply for entry into the League the following year. 2. Forfeitures a. A forfeiture shall be ruled if for any reason a team which has legally begun a game can no longer continue. The Umpires in charge shall have the authority to declare a forfeiture. b. A team losing by forfeiture may be subjected to further disciplinary action if the Executive Council deems it necessary. c. A forfeiture shall not be ruled if a team gives forty-eight (48) hours verbal notice to the opposing team and the Schedule Supervisor to reschedule the game. d. A team can cancel a game and give the points to the opposing team with forty-eight (48) hours notice to the opposing team and the Schedule Supervisor, and not lose any part of its performance bond. 3. Protests a. Protests of game decisions must be made in the manner set out by the governing Rule Book. b. Protests should be forwarded to the President and accompanied by $15.00. This sum will be refunded only if the protest is upheld. c. Protests should be submitted within forty-eight (48) hours of decision being protested. E. Rules, Regulations and Operating Procedures 1. The Slo-Pitch League shall govern itself according to the following priorities: a. The Slo-Pitch League Constitution shall take priority over all regulations. b. The Slo-Pitch League Operating Rules shall be the second level of authority. c. The decisions of the Executive Council shall be considered final in all matters not specifically dealt with in the Constitution and Operating Rules. d. The Slo-Pitch game rules shall be those established in the current appropriate governing Rule Book and amended by the Regina Great Western Rambler Park Coed Slo-Pitch League. F. Ground Rules 1. Ground rules for all playing fields, see J: Equipment and Playing Field, shall be established by the General Council, before the beginning of the season. 2. The established ground rules shall be circulated to the Teams involved. 3. In case of emergency, ground rules may be established by the umpires and Teams involved if there is mutual agreement. G. Division Standings and Playoff Procedures 1. Division Standings a. Teams shall be awarded two points for a win and one point for a tie. b. Division standings shall be regularly tabulated by the Schedule Supervisor and published in the Leader Post. c. In case of a tie in point totals at the end of all scheduled games, the following procedures shall be used to break the tie: i. Two Teams - the higher position shall be awarded to the team with the most wins. If a tie shall still exist, then the most wins in competition between the two teams involved shall be considered. If this formula does not break the tie and if playoff positions are at stake, a sudden death game will be played between the teams. Home team for this game shall be established by the toss of a coin. ii. Three Teams - the higher position shall be awarded to the teams with most wins. If a tie still exists, then the most wins in competition among the teams involved shall be considered. If this formula does not break the tie, and if the tie shall be for a position higher than the last playoff position, then highest position shall be determined by the toss of a coin and the remaining two teams will play a sudden death game to determine the order of finish. Home team for this game shall be established by the toss of a coin. If the tie shall be for the last playoff position, a three team playoff shall take place. A coin toss will give one team a bye. A sudden death semi-final and final game will then be played with a coin toss determining the home team in each game. 2. Playoffs / Tournament a. The order of play for Slo-Pitch League playoffs shall be determined by the Executive Council. b. The league has a maximum of 12 prizes per winning teams in all tournaments/playoffs. H. Game Procedure 1. Home Team a. shall be the last team mentioned on the schedule. b. will supply bases and set up the diamond; see J: Equipment and Playing Field. c. teams will bat their own balls, provided by the league 2. Score Sheets and Scores a. Score sheets must contain the full names of all players used, one score sheet per game shall be used by both teams. b. Within 48 hours, both teams will submit their game results on the league website. The league requires the date, diamond, teams playing and scores of each game. Failure to deliver the stats will prevent a team from winning the year end prize for the best record in their division and have a deduction from their performance bond. 3. Nine players (including 3 members of the opposite sex and 6) will constitute a team; any less at game start will constitute a forfeiture. In the case of injury to one female after game start, a team may play with two females on the field but will be charged an automatic out when the injured female player comes to bat. 4. Each Team must field a minimum of three (3) females at all times. 5. If a player becomes injured during game play and cannot be replaced, the game may continue; the team will be charged an automatic out when the injured player comes to bat. 6. A pinch runner may be substituted only after the injured player reaches first base; male for male and female for female; the male substitute must be the last recorded male out. 7. Length of the Game a. Start Times: i. Single game - 6:30 p.m. ii. Double game - 1st game - 6:30 p.m. (7 Innings) 2nd game – (Min. 5 innings). If Daylight is running out, it must be decided at the start of the game how far the teams will continue to play. b. A minimum of five complete innings will also constitute a game, time not allowing. d. In the event of a tie after seven (7) innings, one extra inning will be played, time permitting and at the discretion of the umpires and Team Representatives. The extra inning will begin with the last out from the previous inning on second base, play resumes as normal. 8. Strikes / Fouls a. A strike will be called when the pitched ball has a minimum arc of six (6) feet and a maximum arc of twelve (12) feet and strikes any part of home plate. b. The umpire shall make the call: i. at the completion of the pitch, when the ball hits home plate or the ground ii. in the air, in the event of a “illegal pitch”. c. It is the batter’s discretion to swing at a “illegal pitch” and take the result of the swing, strike or foul. If the pitch is not offered at then it will be a called a ball. d. When contact is made with a pitched ball and the ball strikes home plate, a foul ball will be called. e. A foul ball on the third strike is an out. 9. Batting and Base Running a. Batters must have both feet remain in the batter’s box, if the batter leaves the batter’s box and strikes at a pitch, the pitch is “dead” and is called a strike. i. When a batter is set in the batter’s box; there back foot must remain in contact with the ground. They will be allowed to pivot on it but they are not allowed to move it forward or backward to offer at a pitch. This would result in an automatic out of the batter and the play is dead. b. There will be no sliding at either first base or home plate. c. Base stealing is not allowed. d. Runners on base cannot lead off, base runners must maintain contact with their base until the pitched ball is hit by the batter. e. Any runner coming home that touches home plate will be called out. f. Base runners have the right of way to the orange safety bag at first base. If there is a play at first base and the fielder is touching the orange bag the runner is safe (the fielder gets the white bag); if the runner touches the white base they are automatically out. If there is no play at the base the runner takes the white bag to round the base. g. The back catcher must take the front of home plate (closest to the pitcher) when there is a runner coming home. If they are touching the back of the plate the runner is safe. h. Walk Rule is in effect. If a male batter is walked on the first four pitches of the at bat or intentionally (when the pitcher advises the plate umpire that he wants to walk the batter) and is followed by a female batter, he will be awarded first and second bases; the female batter must bat. i. The batter on deck must be visible to the pitcher in the on deck batter’s circle or the walk rule in not in effect. j. Infield fly rule is in effect, if there are runners on first and second with less than 2 outs, if the batter hits a pop fly in the infield they are automatically out. k. Home Run Rule (over the fence home run) is in effect. This is match plus 3. (e.g. If team #1 comes up to bat & doesn’t hit any home runs the 1st inning, then when the 2nd team comes up to bat, they can only hit 3 home runs. In the next inning if team #1 hits 2 home runs, then the 2nd team can hit 5 home runs in total. This can be recorded at the bottom of the scorebooks so teams do not get confused as to how many home runs are allowed per inning. l. Batting Line-up: i. there are to be no more than ten (7 / 3 members of the opposite sex) listed on a batting line-up at any point during the game. ii. a player must have played the field before he/she is allowed to bat in the same inning. iii. players may freely substitute onto the playing field (maintaining 3 members of the opposite sex) and are substituted into the batting line-up for the person he/she replaced on the playing field (the original starting batting line-up will possibly change during the course of the game). iv. team members may substitute back into a game more than once, but are not restricted to the same field position. v. a player coming off the field that does not receive his/her turn at bat and are substituted off the playing field in the next inning will forfeit his/her turn at bat until the next time he/she substitutes into the playing field. vi. if your team only fields 9 players, only 9 bat, not 10, if your missing person is a girl, then there must be an automatic out taken when her spot comes up in the batting order. k. Tenth batter: i. For all games, when a team’s tenth consecutive batter in one inning comes to bat, the batting team will be charged with two outs. ii. The tenth batter cannot be walked, but strikes and fouls play as normal. iii. Force play is in effect, iv. Upon striking the ball, the batter runs the bases as normal and can be forced out by the field player with control of the ball touching any base in front of the runner. v. Any player reaching home safely prior to the tenth batter being out will be safe and the run will count. 10. Commitment Line / Safe Line a. If the base runner passes the commitment line, he/she must now continue towards home and cross the safe line. b. The runner will be called safe at home if he/she crosses the safe line before the back catcher gains control of the ball on the front half of home plate I. Game Conduct 1. Sportsmanlike conduct is of highest priority. 2. Severe disciplinary action will be taken against Teams or players who continually harass umpires, other players or fans. 3. Any player that intentionally attempts to injure a player of the opposing team will automatically be suspended for the remainder of the game and may also be liable for additional suspension at the discretion of the Executive Council. 4. Umpires can make a Verbal Obstruction call when a defensive player uses verbal or vocal actions to impede or confuse the runner; the effect of the obstruction call will be an award of bases at the umpire’s discretion. 5. All decisions of the Umpire are final; appeals of decisions will be that established in Article IX of the League’s Constitution and Bylaws. J. Playing Field and Equipment 1. Ground rules or special rules establishing the limits of the playing field may be agreed upon by both Teams and the Umpires before the start of the game. 2. Diamonds a. Home to first base will be 65'. b. Home to second base will be 84' 10". c. Home to pitcher’s mound will be 45'. d. The safe line is to be equal to the front, outside corner of home plate and extending out 6'. e. The commitment line is to be 20' from the safe line towards third base and extending out 6'. f. The batter’s box is 3' by 6', extending one foot in front of and back of home plate. 3. Bases a. An orange and white safety bag will be used for first base; the center of the safety bag is to be placed on the foul line with the orange section of the bag in foul territory and white section of the bag in fair territory; the base runner has the right of way to the orange section of the safety bag. i. If there is a play at first base the runner must contact the orange bag, or will be called out; ii. If there is a play at first base and the defensive player contacts the orange bag while making the play the runner will be called safe. b. Regular bases will be used for second and third bases. c. Home plate will be a 2' by 4' plywood board with a hinge in the middle 4. Bats and Balls a. Only official softball balls and bats are allowed. b. All ASA 2004 Bats are approved for use in the league. c. The current ASA banned bat list is in effect. (check the web site as the link is direct to ASA & pictures are in color) d. Titanium bats are considered to be illegal. d. Use of an illegal bat will constitute in the whole team being kicked out of the league. e. Playable balls will be determined by the umpire. f. Only the balls supplied to the teams by the league are to be used during the games. (more may be purchased from the league) 5. Legal Shoes a. Soft, rubber turf cleats are allowed. b. Metal spikes are not allowed. c. Shoes with detachable cleats and no exposed metal are allowed (for example a metal pitching toe is not allowed). K. Postponement of Games 1. In the event that a scheduled game must be postponed, the teams involved will be notified by the Executive Council as soon as possible. 2. In cases of rain-outs the Team Representatives will make the final judgement at game time. 3. If a team has been rained out, it must be prepared to play on the next rain-out date. 4. If no postponement has been arranged by the Executive Council, then the Team Representatives shall have the responsibility for determining whether the games will be played. 5. Postponed games will usually be rescheduled. However, if a game proves to have no bearing on the final standing, it may not be rescheduled. L. Performance Bond $100.00 per team (see sheets in manual for details) M. General 1. Executive Duties a. Duties of the President i. Meetings of the Executive ii. Meetings of the General Council iii. Prepare packages, letters, etc iv. Acquire and administer League Sponsorship Acquire and administer League Sponsorship (Molson’s) v. Tournaments vi. Promotion to new teams vii. Advertising viii. Correspondence ix. Responsible for protests x. Develop short term and long term plans xi. Duties not delegated to the Secretary/Treasurer or Vice Presidents b. Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer: i. Attend all meetings ii. Prepare for Executive and League Meetings iii. Prepare financial reports iv. Maintain financial records v. Record and distribute minutes vi. Prepare short and long term proposals vii. Purchasing c. Duties of the Vice Presidents: i. Scheduling and Schedule Supervisor ii. Duties delegated by the President iii. Attend meetings of the Executive iv. Newsletter (omitted) d. Duties of the Past President: i. Attend 80% of the meetings ii. Voting privileges iii. Recommend any new policies or programs e. Duties of the Team Representatives: i. Voting privileges ii. Record the individual player and team registrations, forms, releases and rosters iii. Ensure collection of Team fees iv. Initially handle all problems within Team and report to the President v. Maintain contact with Teams vi. Ensure fund raising is controlled vii. Assist the Executive Council with any function on a volunteer basis only f. Duties of Committees: i. Shall be appointed by and shall hold office at the discretion of the Executive Council 2. Honorariums a. The Executive shall receive the maximum amount plus incurred expenses while carrying out the duties of the position. b. The Executive can deduct an appropriate agreed-upon amount for anyone who has not met his/her responsibilities. c. The Executive: i. President - $350 ii. Secretary/Treasurer - $300 iii. Vice Presidents - $250 d. The person responsible for the Newsletter shall receive a maximum amount of $50 plus incurred expenses while carrying out the duty of the task. 3. Attendance at General Council Meetings a. Any team that is not represented at the League Meetings shall receive a $10.00 fine, which will be deducted from their performance bond. 4. Payment of Fees a. Any returning team shall pay the required fees, fines and performance bonds prior to the first scheduled game of the season. b. Any N.S.F. cheque will result in suspension of membership for the remainder of the season with no return of any fees already paid. The team must reapply for entry into the league the following year. c. Refund of deposit fees to any team that is unable to participate, for any reason, in a given season, is at the discretion of the Executive Council.
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