BYLAWS

UPSTATE SENIOR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS - BYLAWS (042019)

MISSION STATEMENT

To promote the game of Senior Softball through fair play, civility, good sportsmanship and competitiveness with parity of play. Provide a venue for senior adults age 55 and older to enjoy a fun recreational sport that promotes physical and mental well being.


CODE OF ETHICS

All players will conduct themselves in a positive manner, both on and off the field. Players will:

A. Abide by current league rules and bylaws
B. Accept the decisions of the umpires, team managers and league officials with good sportsmanship manners
C. Neither taunt or degrade anyone
D. Avoid bodily contact that may cause injury to yourself or others
E. Never use abusive, foul or threatening language
F. Not commit any act that would be considered unsportsmanlike conduct
G. Accept that winning, while part of the game, should be secondary to having recreational fun and fellowship
H. Whenever possible while on the field of play praise a players ability and never make negative comments that could diminish a player or cause embarrassment to a player
I. Abide by all rules of the park that we are playing


USSA officers are responsible for enforcing the Code of Ethics in the best interest of the League and its players. Violations of any provision of the Code of Ethics may be grounds for suspension from playing in one or more games/days or from membership in the USSA as determined by the consensus of the League Officers. In the rare event of a disciplinary or suspension action, the member has the right to file an appeal. The President will appoint a 3 member appeals committee to hear the appeal. Their decision will be final.

BYLAWS Effective 2019

A. FEES AND ELIGIBILITY

The USSA is open to any senior age 55 (as of 12/31 that year) or older
There is no residence requirement
All players will pay a yearly membership fee(dues). As of 01/04/2023, the amount is $45. New prospective members may play with no charge for two weeks. After the trial period, dues are payable. The membership fee entitles a member to play regular Tuesday/Thursday games. The fee does not guarantee participation in any special/competitive games. Individual members may be required to pay expenses deemed necessary by the USSA Board. Dues are non refundable.

The League Treasurer will collect the fee.

An application and liability form must be completed and signed.

B. DEFINITIONS

Tuesday/Thursday Teams

A team within the league whose players are selected/assigned to a team. A team manager or other person will select the team; prepare batting order and assign players’s position. Every member who comes to play on these days will be guaranteed to play. Managers will determine number of players in the field and batting. The goal is for everyone present to have the opportunity to play. Managers will try to make the teams as competitive as possible.

Special/Competitive Team

A special/competitive team is one that plays an opponent other than the Tuesday/Thursday team. A competitive manager will be assigned to select and manage this team. The manager has the sole discretion in who plays on a competitive team. Team members may be required to cover expenses for playing competitive games.

C. ELECTION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF LEAGUE OFFICERS

1. League officers are: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary. Officers will be elected yearly at a designated annual meeting. In the event of a vacancy, the League President will appoint a replacement. If the President position becomes vacant, the Vice President will assume the role of the President.

All league decisions will be decided by a simple majority vote of the USSA League officers with the League President being the tie breaker.

2. The responsibilities of the League Officers are as follows:

PRESIDENT
a. Oversees the administrative and operational functions of the League
b. Makes day to day operational decisions within the USSA rules/bylaws
c. Coordinates League functions with appropriate Parks Department
d. Selects managers for Tuesday/Thursday teams and competitive teams
e. Schedule competitive games

VICE PRESIDENT
a. Provides input to the President
b. Presides over the League upon the direction, absence or incapacitation of the President

TREASURER
a. Manages the financial account of the league
b. Disburses funds as approved by the Board
c. Collects and deposits membership fees and any income received
d. Prepares annual budget

SECRETARY
a. Records minutes of all meetings-both Board and general membership
b. Receives and maintains player applications and liability forms
c. Maintains a players database which should include contact information such as
name; address; phone number; date of birth; emergency contact

PLAYING RULES (Effective 2019)

The league will abide by the playing rules specified by The Senior Softball USA Association except as modified and listed below.

1. Profanity, verbal abuse, physical threats combative physical altercation will not be tolerated. Any violation will be addressed by the League Board and appropriate action including warning, suspension or dismissal will be taken.
2. Games will be played Tuesday and Thursday. Practice will consist of batting practice and then a game. Starting time will be based on the weather. We will try to play if the temperature is above 50 degrees.
3. All players should attempt to play as regularly as possible.
4. A strike mat will be used at home plate. All legally pitched balls(6-12 foot arch) that hit any part of the home plate or any part of the mat will be called a strike.
5. A double bag will be used at first base with the outer half being in foul territory. The defensive first baseman must use the inner part of the bag and the runner must use the outer part of the bag. When no play is being made at first base, the batter/runner may use any portion of the bag. If coming back to first base or tagging up, the runner must use the inner part of the bag.
6. A commitment line shall be marked perpendicular to the foul line and place 20 feet from home plate. Once a runner’s foot touches the ground on or past the commitment line, the runner must continue to the scoring plate.
7. The scoring plate is placed eight feet from the back of the home plate in a straight line with first base. The scoring plate is to be used by the runner only. The defense can only get the runner out by touching home plate/strike mat while in the possession of the ball. If the runner touches home plate/strike mat, the runner is out.
8. All plays at home plate are force plays. The runner from third base is out if having passed the commitment line, the catcher or other defensive player has possession of the ball while touching home plate/strike mat before the runner touches the scoring plate.
9. The pitched ball shall be delivered with an arc no higher than 12 feet and no lower than 6 feet. Any deviation from this is an illegal pitch which will be a ball on the batter providing the batter does not swing at it. The batter may swing at an illegal pitch. If he misses it a strike is called. A hit ball will be in play.
10. Sliding will be allowed at second and third base or if returning to first base. Sliding is not allowed when running to first base after initially hitting a ball. The runner is not allowed to slide or dive into the scoring plate.
11. There is no over run rule at second or third base.
12. The runner must make every effort to avoid colliding with a defensive player. If this causes the runner to miss the base or over run the base, the umpire may call the runner safe (umpire judgement).
13. Tagging of runners are allowed except past the commitment line.
14. No metal cleats
15. Courtesy runners may be used at any time. The same courtesy runner should not be used twice in the same inning. The courtesy runner should normally be the player who made the last out. If a batter needs a courtesy runner, the runner should start behind the catcher, in a straight line with the pitcher.
16. There is a five run limit per inning with unlimited runs allowed in the last inning. Option: If the batting team is still five or more runs behind after scoring five runs it may continue to bat until it is within 5 runs or three outs are made.
17. There will be unlimited over the fence home runs. Option: Once a team hits an over the fence home run, that team cannot hit another over the fence home run until the opposing team hits an over the fence home run. If the initial team hits a subsequent over the fence home run before the opposing team hits an over the fence home run, the hit will be a single. Runners will advance one base.
18. As a general rule, outfielders should play at least 10 feet deep beyond the infield. There should be no more than 5 infielders(not counting the pitcher and catcher).
19. All bats should be marked 1.21bpf or less or be approved by USSSA, ASA or the Senior Softball Association.
20. Ball should be yellow in color; 12 inch diameter; core of .44 with a compression rating of 375 ps1.
21. A pitching screen must be used. This is for the safety of the pitcher. Pitchers are encouraged to get behind the screen once the ball is pitched. Batted balls that hit the screen first are dead ball strikes unless it is the third strike then it is a dead ball. Any thrown ball that strikes the screen remain in play and the runners may advance.
22. Bases should be 65 feet. Pitching rubber should be 50 feet from home plate.
23. Throwing of bats is prohibited.