Slow Pitch Programs
Washington USSSA
Washington USSSA
CLASSIFICATION:
Effective Jan 1, 2016, USSSA has adopted a more aggressive position regarding team classification. The National Classification Committee has risen to prominence and is constantly evaluating teams from every state across the country. Put simply, with the creation of the Men’s AA and Women’s A Divisions, there will be mass move ups including borderline teams. Men’s C will become more like the old D and Men’s D will more closely resemble the former E program. E will evolve back into the original concept which was for newly created teams and/or teams and players with limited tournament experience. Everyone benefits from this philosophy.
USSSA Slow Pitch Rules Additions as of 2015
R1 (P. 26, Rule 4, Sec. 8A) – Changes the home run limit in the Men’s D program from 0 to 2.
R2 (P. 26, Rule 4, Sec. 8B and 8C) – Changes the home run limit in Men’s B-C NIT’s from 5 to 6; changes the home run limit in Men’s C-D NIT’s from 2 to 4.
R3 (P. 44, Rule 8, Sec. 5V) – Requires the runner to slide or avoid contact if the catcher or any fielder clearly has the ball and is waiting to tag the runner. Restricts the catcher or any fielder from blocking the pathway of a runner unless he has possession of the ball, or is in the act of fielding a ball, or taking proper position to receive a thrown ball (a thrown ball must already be in flight).
R4 (P. 26, Rule 4, Sec. 8E) – Establishes home run limits in Men’s Open NIT’s as follows: B vs. B = 6; C, D or E vs. C, D or E = 4.
R5 (P. 24, Rule 4, Sec. 3C-D) – Changes Women’s A, B, C, D Rule Rule to 20 after 3, 15 after 4, 10 after 5.
R6 (P. 26, Rule8, Sec. A) – Changes the home run limit in the Mixed C program from 2 to 4, and in the Mixed D program from 0 to 2.
R8 (P. 26, Rule 4, Sec. D) – Creates the following penalty in the Men’s E and Mixed E programs: if a player who has been ejected from a game offensively appears in the batter’s box after hitting a home run, he will be ejected from the game and the team must continue short-handed.
USSSA Slow Pitch Rules Additions as of 2016
R1 (P. 14, Rule 2, Sec. 3B2cv.) – Changes ball compression to not more than 470 and not less than 410 pounds.
R2 (P. 27, Rule 4, Sec. E) – Adds Inning ending out for excessive Home Runs in Men’s D.
R3 (P. 50, Rule 8, Sec. 13) – Adds Courtesy Runner Rule.
USSSA Slow Pitch Rules Additions as of 2017
R1 (P. 25-27, Rule 4, Sec. 8) – Adds Inning ending out for excessive Home Runs in Mixed D.
R3 (P. 27, Rule 4, Sec. 8E) – Clarifies offensive player ejection cannot be a base coach or courtesy runner.
R4 (P. 50, Rule 8, Sec. 13) – Clarification of Courtesy Runner Rule.
R8 (P. 8, Rule 2, Sec. New Note) – Clarification and Safety – At no time can a camera, audio or video device be worn or used by a player or coach on the field of play.
USSSA Policy Regarding Federal, State and Local Law Concussions
USSSA, as a sanctioning body of athletic events, shares the concerns being raised on a national and local level regarding concussions and concussion symptoms in participants, coaches/managers and umpires/referees in USSSA sanctioned activities. USSSA encourages its directors, umpires, coaches, referees, teams, team managers, and all adults involved in youth activities and participants to learn all they can about concussions in athletics and requires each of them and each of the USSSA directors to follow all federal, state and local laws (including concussion training and reaction laws) with regard to athletic competition sanctioned by USSSA. In addition, USSSA has added the following to the rule books of each USSSA sport which does not defer to another organization for its rule book.
Upon becoming aware that a participant or coach/manager of his team has received a suspected concussion (or has been struck in the head area with any significant force), the Team Manager will not allow that person to participate in any USSSA sanctioned event and if occurring during a USSSA sanctioned event, shall have that person removed from the playing field of any USSSA sanctioned event. Upon becoming aware that a participant, coach/manager or umpire/referee has received a suspected concussion (or has been struck in the head area with any significant force), a USSSA umpire/referee or director will have that person removed from the playing field of any USSSA sanctioned event. Without a written medical written clearance from a licensed medical doctor to return to play, such persons will not be allowed to return to the USSSA playing field in a USSSA sanctioned event. For umpires/referees, the medical written consent must be presented to the Team Manager and retained permanently by the USSSA State Director. For participants and coaches/managers, the medical written medical consent must be presented to the Team Manager and retained permanently by the Team Manager. Any Team Manager, who allows a coach/manager or participant back on a USSSA sanctioned event playing field without first obtaining the required written consent, may be suspended by the State Director for up to one year and upon request of the State Director, may be suspended for a longer duration by the USSSA disbarment committee. State Directors allowing an umpire/referee back in the field of play without the necessary consent will be subject to being disciplined as determined by the USSSA Board of Directors.
USSSA Slow-Pitch By-Law Changes for 2015
B1 (P. 66, Art. IV, Sec. 5b2) – Permits a State Director to authorize a player on a qualified frozen roster to drop one class.
USSSA Slow-Pitch By-Law Changes for 2016
B1 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9D) – Changes Mixed D teams to only have male players from male D & E rosters and female players only from female C, D & E rosters.
B1 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9E) – Changes Mixed E teams to only have male players from male E rosters and female players only from female D & E rosters.
USSSA Slow-Pitch By-Law Changes for 2017
B3 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9) – Adds Mixed B level and combination of 4 players (male or female) on Major Player List.
B4 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9D) – Changes from Current year to current and Previous year’s classification.
B5 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9E) – Changes from Current year to current and Previous year’s classification.
B6 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9D) – Adds Sentence – No player who has appeared on a roster from a higher classification can be added or approved after August 1st.
B7 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9E) – Adds Sentence – No player who has appeared on a roster from a higher classification can be added or approved after August 1st.
B8 (P. 68, Art. IV, Sec. 5, (b)2) – Adds Sentence – No player who has appeared on a roster from a higher classification can be added or approved after August 1st.
2017 Washington USSSA & GSL TOURNAMENT POLICY
DUGOUT RULE:
TOURNAMENT ENTRY LATE FEE:
All Tournament Directors have the ability to charge a “Late Fee” for any team paying its entry into a tournament later than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled event. No spots will be held for any teams that simply sign up for a tournament. A team's spot in the tournament is guaranteed when the Tournament Director has the team's entry fee in hand. An unpaid team should be listed on our website message board as “an interested team” and entered into the actual tournament only when the Tournament Director has the team's entry fee.
ENTRY REFUND:
The following is WASHINGTON USSSA State’s recommended refund policy for invitational tournaments. (Excluding N.I.T., National and World tournaments).
TEAM CANCELLATION: In the event a team voluntarily withdraws from a tournament after the bracket has been drawn, the tournament director is not obligated to refund any portion of the entry fee.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR CANCELLATION: In the event the tournament director cancels the tournament for any reason other than weather, a full entry fee will be refunded.
WEATHER CANCELLATION:
If the tournament is cancelled, because of weather, before the start of play, a maximum of $20 per team will be withheld from the team’s entry fee to cover expenses. In the case of cancellation after the start of the first game of the tournament, a maximum of $15 per team plus all reasonable non-refundable expenses, to include team travel, will be withheld. If the tournament is 60 percent finished, then the tournament director will make every possible effort to reschedule the tournament and is not obligated to refund any portion of the entry fee.
STATE/NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS: Any possible refunds will be decided by the State Director and the tournament director.
BAD CHECKS:
Teams will be suspended for submitting a check that cannot, for any reason, be negotiated for payment for entry fees, accommodations, etc. Each member of the team will be held individually liable for an equal portion of the debt and will be suspended until the debt is paid in full.
EQUALIZER:
RUN DIFFERENTIAL PER CLASS:
Men's Program (A thru REC) Three (3) runs
Women's Program Three (3) runs
Mixed Program Three (3) Runs per class
EXAMPLE: A Women’s “D” team would receive a 3 run spot from a “C” team, etc. The home run rule of the higher classified team will be used. The higher classified team will always have its choice of being the visiting or home team, except when involved in a catch-up procedure where the '1/2' run rule is used. Any time two teams of the same classification are playing each other, a coin flip will be used. Neither the Umpire, Tournament Director, or the coaches can alter the above rules.
TIE BREAKER (Points or Berths):
In case there is a need for a tie breaker to determine the higher point total or berth, the following will be implemented:
Teams remaining in the winners’ bracket will flip a coin to decide the top spots. A single team left in the winners' bracket is awarded 1st place. The teams remaining in the losers’ bracket will flip coins for the remaining places. In the losers’ bracket where two teams have played each other, the winner of that previous game will advance to the next coin flip.
TIE BREAKER (Round Robin):
Tie breaking formula:
Head to Head Competition
Total Run Differential (Common Opponents)
Total Run Differential (All Opponents)
(Maximum of 10 runs per game. Forfeits will be recorded as 10-0).
Total Runs Scored
Coin Flip
Example: Three teams are tied for 1st. The team with the best run differential will be awarded 1st place and the 2nd place team will then be decided by who beat whom in head-to-head competition.
Example: Three teams are tied for 2nd place. The team with the best run differential will be awarded 2nd place.
TIE BREAKER RULE / EXTRA INNING GAMES:
In all programs, the player that makes the last out of the previous inning will be placed on second base for the start of the inning. The game will then proceed under the normal rules governing the tournament. If the last out of the previous inning is unable to take a position on second base, he/she will be done for the remainder of the game and the next to last out will be placed on second base. If a team has a member on its roster that has not played in the game in progress, a substitution may be made. Each team will be allowed three outs each time at bat. (Oregon State only).
2017 Washington State USSSA Code of Conduct
I. CONDITIONS
A. The Code of Conduct applies to all participants including players, coaches, managers, sponsors, and spectators associated with the adult softball program.
B. The code applies to participant conduct before, during and after all USSSA events.
C. Participants will be held liable for damages caused by misusing park facilities and may be required to reimburse the City for any damages caused.
D. It is the responsibility of each team manager to ensure that all participants and spectators know and adhere to the rules and regulations.
II. ENFORCEMENT
A. The Washington USSSA Ethics Committee will review all stage 2 and higher Code of Conduct violations, and will make a recommendation for disciplinary action to the Executive State Director based on the range of disciplinary action listed under the penalty section of the Code of Conduct rules.
B. The Executive State Director has the authority to impose penalties as prescribed within the Code of Conduct regardless of the Ethics Committee recommendations.
C. The Umpires Association and the Washington USSSA State Office will collect all necessary documentation and are responsible for notifying the team manager in writing (email or registered letter) of any penalty imposed. It is then the team manager’s responsibility to inform the player(s) of the penalty.
D. All communications regarding code of conduct enforcement will be done via e-mail or registered letter.
E. Any Code of Conduct violation that is a stage 2 or higher violation and involves any misconduct against an umpire will result in an investigation and a possible suspension of those involved.
F. Most decisions will be final with no possibility of appeal. In some instances, the person(s) involved may be given a period of time to appeal the penalty.
G. That appeal must be in writing and delivered to the state office within 10 days of the date of the notice.
III. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
A. STAGE 1
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
• Unsportsmanlike conduct
• Unnecessary roughness
• Reckless physical conduct and/or action(s)
• Casual profanity
• Inappropriate gestures
Penalty: Ejection from game and suspension for the remainder of the game based on the below listed criteria:
• If the ejection occurs prior to the 5th inning, the participant may play the next game as long as the participant leaves the game without additional incident and does not commit any other code of conduct violations (see Post Ejection Conduct below).
• If the ejection occurs after the 4th inning the participant is suspended for the next game.
Post Ejection Conduct (participant action immediately following an ejection by an umpire):
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
Continues to use profanity
Acts or carries on in a disruptive manner
Refuses to leave as requested by umpire or staff
Penalty: Ejection from the tournament, AND moved to at least a Stage 2 violation and will be reviewed by the Player Representative Board
B. STAGE 2: Includes Stage 1 criteria but more severe
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
• Taunting
• Failure for a coach or manager (whoever represents the team for the game) to: attempt to de-escalate a potentially volatile situation, attempt to control a participant that is violating the Code of Conduct.
• Intimidating behavior and/or action
• Excessive profanity
• Perceived reckless behavior
• Unnecessary roughness with the perceived intent to cause harm or injury
• Unruly, disruptive, unsportsmanlike, uncooperative behavior etc. immediately following an ejection by an umpire
• Consumption of alcohol or use or possession of other drugs on City property before, during or after any scheduled game
Penalty: Ejection from the tournament, AND a possible suspension for up to one year from the date of the incident, AND/OR probation for up to three years from the date of the incident.
C. STAGE 3: Includes Stage 2 violations but more severe
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
• Verbal threats such as “I know where you live”, “I better not see you out here again”, “or else” etc.
• Physical contact with anyone (includes incidental contact with umpire, opposing players, spectators, staff etc.)
• Any negative (verbal, physical) contact with an umpire prior to or after a game on or off the field
• Any negative contact with an umpire in the parking lot, at their vehicle or anywhere else on City property
• Throwing a ball or any other object in the general direction of anyone
• A player purposefully throwing a ball at a base runner while the base runner is attempting to stay out of the way of a fielders attempt to throw.
• Giving the distinct impression through gesture or verbally expressing the idea or perceived notion and intent to instigate a fight. This includes commonly known phrases such as “let’s take this to the parking lot” etc.
Penalty: Immediate ejection from all USSSA play for up to one year, with the possibility of an additional four years if the Executive State Director chooses to pursue that option.
D. STAGE 4: Includes Stage 3 violations but more severe
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
• Punching, striking or assaulting anyone
• Purposefully throwing a ball or any other object and striking at anyone
Penalty: Immediate ejection from all USSSA play for up to one year with the probability that the Executive State Director will ask the National Organization for up to a lifetime of suspension from all USSSA participation.
TEAM MISCONDUCT
A team will be found in violation of the Code of Conduct if the following occurs:
• A team instigates, promotes or participates in a bench clearing fight at any time before, during or after a game.
• The definition of a bench clearing brawl is defined as 2 or more players from the same team leaving the dugout or their positions on the field to instigate the above bulleted misconduct violations.
Penalty: Immediate ejection from the tournament, followed by a possible suspension of the entire team from participation in all tournament play for up to one year from the date of the incident.
USE OF ONE OR MORE ILLEGAL PLAYERS IN TOURNAMENT PLAY
It is the responsibility of every coach to know and understand the eligibility rules of the program that their team is participating in. If it is found that a player is, or was, participating in tournament play illegally, then the penalty could be anything from 30 days probation up to a years’ suspension. Each individual case will be dealt with on its own merits. Coaches, players and teams, can and will be held accountable. So Oregon USSSA to be able to deal fairly with these situations, a protest should be filed at the tournament. Failure to report the incident to the TD will make it very difficult to hand out penalties.
Top of Form
Questions? Contact:
USSSA State Office
P.O. Box 31089
Seattle, WA 98103-1089
Email: washingtonusssa@gmail.com
Effective Jan 1, 2016, USSSA has adopted a more aggressive position regarding team classification. The National Classification Committee has risen to prominence and is constantly evaluating teams from every state across the country. Put simply, with the creation of the Men’s AA and Women’s A Divisions, there will be mass move ups including borderline teams. Men’s C will become more like the old D and Men’s D will more closely resemble the former E program. E will evolve back into the original concept which was for newly created teams and/or teams and players with limited tournament experience. Everyone benefits from this philosophy.
USSSA Slow Pitch Rules Additions as of 2015
R1 (P. 26, Rule 4, Sec. 8A) – Changes the home run limit in the Men’s D program from 0 to 2.
R2 (P. 26, Rule 4, Sec. 8B and 8C) – Changes the home run limit in Men’s B-C NIT’s from 5 to 6; changes the home run limit in Men’s C-D NIT’s from 2 to 4.
R3 (P. 44, Rule 8, Sec. 5V) – Requires the runner to slide or avoid contact if the catcher or any fielder clearly has the ball and is waiting to tag the runner. Restricts the catcher or any fielder from blocking the pathway of a runner unless he has possession of the ball, or is in the act of fielding a ball, or taking proper position to receive a thrown ball (a thrown ball must already be in flight).
R4 (P. 26, Rule 4, Sec. 8E) – Establishes home run limits in Men’s Open NIT’s as follows: B vs. B = 6; C, D or E vs. C, D or E = 4.
R5 (P. 24, Rule 4, Sec. 3C-D) – Changes Women’s A, B, C, D Rule Rule to 20 after 3, 15 after 4, 10 after 5.
R6 (P. 26, Rule8, Sec. A) – Changes the home run limit in the Mixed C program from 2 to 4, and in the Mixed D program from 0 to 2.
R8 (P. 26, Rule 4, Sec. D) – Creates the following penalty in the Men’s E and Mixed E programs: if a player who has been ejected from a game offensively appears in the batter’s box after hitting a home run, he will be ejected from the game and the team must continue short-handed.
USSSA Slow Pitch Rules Additions as of 2016
R1 (P. 14, Rule 2, Sec. 3B2cv.) – Changes ball compression to not more than 470 and not less than 410 pounds.
R2 (P. 27, Rule 4, Sec. E) – Adds Inning ending out for excessive Home Runs in Men’s D.
R3 (P. 50, Rule 8, Sec. 13) – Adds Courtesy Runner Rule.
USSSA Slow Pitch Rules Additions as of 2017
R1 (P. 25-27, Rule 4, Sec. 8) – Adds Inning ending out for excessive Home Runs in Mixed D.
R3 (P. 27, Rule 4, Sec. 8E) – Clarifies offensive player ejection cannot be a base coach or courtesy runner.
R4 (P. 50, Rule 8, Sec. 13) – Clarification of Courtesy Runner Rule.
R8 (P. 8, Rule 2, Sec. New Note) – Clarification and Safety – At no time can a camera, audio or video device be worn or used by a player or coach on the field of play.
USSSA Policy Regarding Federal, State and Local Law Concussions
USSSA, as a sanctioning body of athletic events, shares the concerns being raised on a national and local level regarding concussions and concussion symptoms in participants, coaches/managers and umpires/referees in USSSA sanctioned activities. USSSA encourages its directors, umpires, coaches, referees, teams, team managers, and all adults involved in youth activities and participants to learn all they can about concussions in athletics and requires each of them and each of the USSSA directors to follow all federal, state and local laws (including concussion training and reaction laws) with regard to athletic competition sanctioned by USSSA. In addition, USSSA has added the following to the rule books of each USSSA sport which does not defer to another organization for its rule book.
Upon becoming aware that a participant or coach/manager of his team has received a suspected concussion (or has been struck in the head area with any significant force), the Team Manager will not allow that person to participate in any USSSA sanctioned event and if occurring during a USSSA sanctioned event, shall have that person removed from the playing field of any USSSA sanctioned event. Upon becoming aware that a participant, coach/manager or umpire/referee has received a suspected concussion (or has been struck in the head area with any significant force), a USSSA umpire/referee or director will have that person removed from the playing field of any USSSA sanctioned event. Without a written medical written clearance from a licensed medical doctor to return to play, such persons will not be allowed to return to the USSSA playing field in a USSSA sanctioned event. For umpires/referees, the medical written consent must be presented to the Team Manager and retained permanently by the USSSA State Director. For participants and coaches/managers, the medical written medical consent must be presented to the Team Manager and retained permanently by the Team Manager. Any Team Manager, who allows a coach/manager or participant back on a USSSA sanctioned event playing field without first obtaining the required written consent, may be suspended by the State Director for up to one year and upon request of the State Director, may be suspended for a longer duration by the USSSA disbarment committee. State Directors allowing an umpire/referee back in the field of play without the necessary consent will be subject to being disciplined as determined by the USSSA Board of Directors.
USSSA Slow-Pitch By-Law Changes for 2015
B1 (P. 66, Art. IV, Sec. 5b2) – Permits a State Director to authorize a player on a qualified frozen roster to drop one class.
USSSA Slow-Pitch By-Law Changes for 2016
B1 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9D) – Changes Mixed D teams to only have male players from male D & E rosters and female players only from female C, D & E rosters.
B1 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9E) – Changes Mixed E teams to only have male players from male E rosters and female players only from female D & E rosters.
USSSA Slow-Pitch By-Law Changes for 2017
B3 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9) – Adds Mixed B level and combination of 4 players (male or female) on Major Player List.
B4 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9D) – Changes from Current year to current and Previous year’s classification.
B5 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9E) – Changes from Current year to current and Previous year’s classification.
B6 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9D) – Adds Sentence – No player who has appeared on a roster from a higher classification can be added or approved after August 1st.
B7 (P. 70, Art. IV, Sec. 9E) – Adds Sentence – No player who has appeared on a roster from a higher classification can be added or approved after August 1st.
B8 (P. 68, Art. IV, Sec. 5, (b)2) – Adds Sentence – No player who has appeared on a roster from a higher classification can be added or approved after August 1st.
2017 Washington USSSA & GSL TOURNAMENT POLICY
- All teams entering a tournament must submit a USSSA tournament roster to the tournament director at the start of play. Roster checks against acceptable ID will be made at all post season tournaments and N.I.T.s.
- All teams that want point recognition on the National website for ranking purposes and seeding into designated tournaments must put their roster on the ISTS website prior to receiving any recognition. See our website for instructions on how to do this.
- In all programs all teams are required to have their roster on the ISTS website prior to participation in any tournament.
DUGOUT RULE:
- Only players listed on the official roster are allowed in the dugout and/or bench area.
- All players/coaches must be in the dugout and/or bench area, only exceptions are the next to bat in the on deck batters box and the two base coaches.
- If the umpire has to stop the game because players are out of the dugout, he will warn the coach then start ejecting players.
TOURNAMENT ENTRY LATE FEE:
All Tournament Directors have the ability to charge a “Late Fee” for any team paying its entry into a tournament later than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled event. No spots will be held for any teams that simply sign up for a tournament. A team's spot in the tournament is guaranteed when the Tournament Director has the team's entry fee in hand. An unpaid team should be listed on our website message board as “an interested team” and entered into the actual tournament only when the Tournament Director has the team's entry fee.
ENTRY REFUND:
The following is WASHINGTON USSSA State’s recommended refund policy for invitational tournaments. (Excluding N.I.T., National and World tournaments).
TEAM CANCELLATION: In the event a team voluntarily withdraws from a tournament after the bracket has been drawn, the tournament director is not obligated to refund any portion of the entry fee.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR CANCELLATION: In the event the tournament director cancels the tournament for any reason other than weather, a full entry fee will be refunded.
WEATHER CANCELLATION:
If the tournament is cancelled, because of weather, before the start of play, a maximum of $20 per team will be withheld from the team’s entry fee to cover expenses. In the case of cancellation after the start of the first game of the tournament, a maximum of $15 per team plus all reasonable non-refundable expenses, to include team travel, will be withheld. If the tournament is 60 percent finished, then the tournament director will make every possible effort to reschedule the tournament and is not obligated to refund any portion of the entry fee.
STATE/NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS: Any possible refunds will be decided by the State Director and the tournament director.
BAD CHECKS:
Teams will be suspended for submitting a check that cannot, for any reason, be negotiated for payment for entry fees, accommodations, etc. Each member of the team will be held individually liable for an equal portion of the debt and will be suspended until the debt is paid in full.
EQUALIZER:
- Equalizer means run differential.
- The lower classified team will be awarded a run differential when playing a higher classified team.
- In all programs the team receiving the run spot will receive the runs at the start of the game, and are not required to score a run prior to receiving their run spot.
- The lower classified team that is due to receive a run spot will not be allowed to decline the spot, even if both managers agree prior to the game.
RUN DIFFERENTIAL PER CLASS:
Men's Program (A thru REC) Three (3) runs
Women's Program Three (3) runs
Mixed Program Three (3) Runs per class
EXAMPLE: A Women’s “D” team would receive a 3 run spot from a “C” team, etc. The home run rule of the higher classified team will be used. The higher classified team will always have its choice of being the visiting or home team, except when involved in a catch-up procedure where the '1/2' run rule is used. Any time two teams of the same classification are playing each other, a coin flip will be used. Neither the Umpire, Tournament Director, or the coaches can alter the above rules.
TIE BREAKER (Points or Berths):
In case there is a need for a tie breaker to determine the higher point total or berth, the following will be implemented:
- Head to head competition.
- The team that loses to the farthest advancing team will be awarded the higher finish.
Teams remaining in the winners’ bracket will flip a coin to decide the top spots. A single team left in the winners' bracket is awarded 1st place. The teams remaining in the losers’ bracket will flip coins for the remaining places. In the losers’ bracket where two teams have played each other, the winner of that previous game will advance to the next coin flip.
TIE BREAKER (Round Robin):
Tie breaking formula:
Head to Head Competition
Total Run Differential (Common Opponents)
Total Run Differential (All Opponents)
(Maximum of 10 runs per game. Forfeits will be recorded as 10-0).
Total Runs Scored
Coin Flip
Example: Three teams are tied for 1st. The team with the best run differential will be awarded 1st place and the 2nd place team will then be decided by who beat whom in head-to-head competition.
Example: Three teams are tied for 2nd place. The team with the best run differential will be awarded 2nd place.
TIE BREAKER RULE / EXTRA INNING GAMES:
In all programs, the player that makes the last out of the previous inning will be placed on second base for the start of the inning. The game will then proceed under the normal rules governing the tournament. If the last out of the previous inning is unable to take a position on second base, he/she will be done for the remainder of the game and the next to last out will be placed on second base. If a team has a member on its roster that has not played in the game in progress, a substitution may be made. Each team will be allowed three outs each time at bat. (Oregon State only).
2017 Washington State USSSA Code of Conduct
I. CONDITIONS
A. The Code of Conduct applies to all participants including players, coaches, managers, sponsors, and spectators associated with the adult softball program.
B. The code applies to participant conduct before, during and after all USSSA events.
C. Participants will be held liable for damages caused by misusing park facilities and may be required to reimburse the City for any damages caused.
D. It is the responsibility of each team manager to ensure that all participants and spectators know and adhere to the rules and regulations.
II. ENFORCEMENT
A. The Washington USSSA Ethics Committee will review all stage 2 and higher Code of Conduct violations, and will make a recommendation for disciplinary action to the Executive State Director based on the range of disciplinary action listed under the penalty section of the Code of Conduct rules.
B. The Executive State Director has the authority to impose penalties as prescribed within the Code of Conduct regardless of the Ethics Committee recommendations.
C. The Umpires Association and the Washington USSSA State Office will collect all necessary documentation and are responsible for notifying the team manager in writing (email or registered letter) of any penalty imposed. It is then the team manager’s responsibility to inform the player(s) of the penalty.
D. All communications regarding code of conduct enforcement will be done via e-mail or registered letter.
E. Any Code of Conduct violation that is a stage 2 or higher violation and involves any misconduct against an umpire will result in an investigation and a possible suspension of those involved.
F. Most decisions will be final with no possibility of appeal. In some instances, the person(s) involved may be given a period of time to appeal the penalty.
G. That appeal must be in writing and delivered to the state office within 10 days of the date of the notice.
III. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
A. STAGE 1
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
• Unsportsmanlike conduct
• Unnecessary roughness
• Reckless physical conduct and/or action(s)
• Casual profanity
• Inappropriate gestures
Penalty: Ejection from game and suspension for the remainder of the game based on the below listed criteria:
• If the ejection occurs prior to the 5th inning, the participant may play the next game as long as the participant leaves the game without additional incident and does not commit any other code of conduct violations (see Post Ejection Conduct below).
• If the ejection occurs after the 4th inning the participant is suspended for the next game.
Post Ejection Conduct (participant action immediately following an ejection by an umpire):
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
Continues to use profanity
Acts or carries on in a disruptive manner
Refuses to leave as requested by umpire or staff
Penalty: Ejection from the tournament, AND moved to at least a Stage 2 violation and will be reviewed by the Player Representative Board
B. STAGE 2: Includes Stage 1 criteria but more severe
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
• Taunting
• Failure for a coach or manager (whoever represents the team for the game) to: attempt to de-escalate a potentially volatile situation, attempt to control a participant that is violating the Code of Conduct.
• Intimidating behavior and/or action
• Excessive profanity
• Perceived reckless behavior
• Unnecessary roughness with the perceived intent to cause harm or injury
• Unruly, disruptive, unsportsmanlike, uncooperative behavior etc. immediately following an ejection by an umpire
• Consumption of alcohol or use or possession of other drugs on City property before, during or after any scheduled game
Penalty: Ejection from the tournament, AND a possible suspension for up to one year from the date of the incident, AND/OR probation for up to three years from the date of the incident.
C. STAGE 3: Includes Stage 2 violations but more severe
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
• Verbal threats such as “I know where you live”, “I better not see you out here again”, “or else” etc.
• Physical contact with anyone (includes incidental contact with umpire, opposing players, spectators, staff etc.)
• Any negative (verbal, physical) contact with an umpire prior to or after a game on or off the field
• Any negative contact with an umpire in the parking lot, at their vehicle or anywhere else on City property
• Throwing a ball or any other object in the general direction of anyone
• A player purposefully throwing a ball at a base runner while the base runner is attempting to stay out of the way of a fielders attempt to throw.
• Giving the distinct impression through gesture or verbally expressing the idea or perceived notion and intent to instigate a fight. This includes commonly known phrases such as “let’s take this to the parking lot” etc.
Penalty: Immediate ejection from all USSSA play for up to one year, with the possibility of an additional four years if the Executive State Director chooses to pursue that option.
D. STAGE 4: Includes Stage 3 violations but more severe
Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
• Punching, striking or assaulting anyone
• Purposefully throwing a ball or any other object and striking at anyone
Penalty: Immediate ejection from all USSSA play for up to one year with the probability that the Executive State Director will ask the National Organization for up to a lifetime of suspension from all USSSA participation.
TEAM MISCONDUCT
A team will be found in violation of the Code of Conduct if the following occurs:
• A team instigates, promotes or participates in a bench clearing fight at any time before, during or after a game.
• The definition of a bench clearing brawl is defined as 2 or more players from the same team leaving the dugout or their positions on the field to instigate the above bulleted misconduct violations.
Penalty: Immediate ejection from the tournament, followed by a possible suspension of the entire team from participation in all tournament play for up to one year from the date of the incident.
USE OF ONE OR MORE ILLEGAL PLAYERS IN TOURNAMENT PLAY
It is the responsibility of every coach to know and understand the eligibility rules of the program that their team is participating in. If it is found that a player is, or was, participating in tournament play illegally, then the penalty could be anything from 30 days probation up to a years’ suspension. Each individual case will be dealt with on its own merits. Coaches, players and teams, can and will be held accountable. So Oregon USSSA to be able to deal fairly with these situations, a protest should be filed at the tournament. Failure to report the incident to the TD will make it very difficult to hand out penalties.
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Questions? Contact:
USSSA State Office
P.O. Box 31089
Seattle, WA 98103-1089
Email: washingtonusssa@gmail.com