Fall/Sunday Rules
TBSL NSA Men’s Sunday League Softball
2024 OFFICIAL LEAGUE RULES AND OPERATIONS PROCEDURES
1. TBSL SOFTBALL is a proud member of the NSA. The NSA rule book will prevail with the following exceptions.
2. It is the responsibility of ALL team managers and players to know all NSA and league rules. Ignorance of the association rules, By-Laws, league rules and operating procedures is not grounds for protest or appeal.
3. Forfeits
3.1. A team will forfeit if it does not have the minimum number of players (9) at the start of game time. A 10 minute grace period is allowed prior to enforcing the forfeit rule. If a forfeit occurrs, an additional 10 minute grace period will be enforced for the 2nd game. The team who forfeits is required to pay the umpire $40.00 per game per forfeit. (rule change in 2024)
3.2. A Forfeit fee will not be enforced if a team is unable to field a team after the game has started due to injury or ejection.
3.3. If both teams fail to have enough players, both teams will receive a loss.
3.4. Forfeited games will be recorded as 7-0. Double forfeits will be 0-0.
3.5. There is a $40.00 fee to the offending team for each scheduled game where the commissioner or head umpire was not notified prior to the approved time period. Fees must be paid to the league office PRIOR to the start of that team’s next game. This fee applies to games that did not get started. Forfeit fees will be shared equally if both teams forfeit.
3.6. Any forfeit made prior to the previous Friday at 12 o’clock noon will not incur the forfeit fee. For example; A games schedule for 12:30 PM must be forfeit prior to Friday 12 o’clock noon.
3.7. Games that continue once the forfeit rule is in effect will not be sanctioned by the league. Insurance policy and other coverage are no longer in effect. This is a liability issue. Umpires are not required to work forfeit games.
3.8. Any team that has a recorded forfeit twice within the season will result in a disqualification from the playoffs.
4. Rosters
4.1. Maximum of twenty five (25) players are allowed on each roster.
4.2. Players are only allowed to be rostered on ONE team in the league.
4.3. Full rosters are due online @ www.triborosoftballpgh.com prior to March 31st. NO exceptions and possible forfeits may occur.
4.3.1. Rosters may not contain any nicknames or partial names. Use full names that match a player’s photo ID. (This will help during any eligibility protests.)
4.3.2. Any roster changes required after the first game must be reported to the TriBoro Board of Directors.
4.4. FOUR (4) player moves (move=one player on, one player off) are allowed during the open period.
4.5. Roster changes are locked after the team’s tenth (10) game.
4.6. All legal rostered players in good standing are eligible for playoffs. There is no minimum game requirement.
4.7. As this is a recreational league, the Board of Directors reserve the right to ban players who play on Super, A, or B teams outside of the TBSL, or are simply too good and would create safety issues and a competitive unbalance for the league.
4.8. Player movement from one team to another requires a discussion involving the two managers and the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors reserve the right to approve any moves or intercede in the best interest of the league. The Board of Directors have sole discretion on judging rosters appropriate for each section.
4.9. Any team found to be using ineligible or illegal player(s) will forfeit said games. The protest process must be followed to enforce this rule.
4.10. The burden of proof falls to the team in question. Photo ID or other legal proof may be used to produce evidence. Proof must be provided prior to the start of the team’s next scheduled game.
4.11. Illegal players will be suspended for the next two scheduled games of their own team. All further offenses will incur stiffer penalties including suspensions to be decided by the Board of Directors. NOTE: It is suggested that team managers print each team roster that they play.
5. Conduct
5.1. Verbal or physical abuse, including threats will not be tolerated towards fellow players, umpires, or league volunteers and officials. Forfeits, suspensions, and expulsions will likely result.
5.2. Teams will make every reasonable effort to clean up after themselves in the dugout and general field area. They should also be responsible for the general public seating area. We use public property, please be respectful.
5.2.1. Teams will incur a minimum $40.00 for cleanup expenses.
5.3. Any drug or alcohol use detected will result in immediate ejection. There is NO warning. Player suspension and possible expulsion from league participation may result. NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS ARE PERMITTED ON THE BENCH OR ANYWHERE ON THE PREMISES OF THE FIELD DURING A GAME. THIS APPLIES TO ANY ROSTER PLAYERS IN ATTENDANCE OR SPECTATORS SITTING ON THE BENCH OR FIELD.
5.4. Any player thrown out of the 1st game of a double header will be out of the second game as well. Severe violations may incur longer suspensions. Any player ejected from the 2nd game, will be suspended for game 1 of the following week. (rule change 2024)
5.5. Any player(s) involved in an egregious act on the softball premesis that requires the TriBoro Board of Directors to meet, will result in a $50.00 fine. (rule change 2024)
5.5.1. Fines must be paid in full prior to the TriBoro Board of Directors meeting to discuss disciplinary actions. If fines are not paid within 3 weeks of notification, the player(s) involved will face a 1 year suspension from date of incident. (rule change 2024)
5.5.2. Infractions that warrent a fine include: any physical altercations on the field or in the park of a field the TriBoro Softball League holds a permit to. This includes your fans. Any threats toward league officials, opponents, or fans. Any lude behavior on or off the field. (rule change 2024)
5.5.3. Any player that violates a suspension, will result in an additional 2 week suspension (4 games). Any manager who does not enforce the suspension will result in a 2 week suspension (4 games). Teams found in violation of allowing suspended managers / players participate will result in forfeits. (rule change 2024)
6. Game Length
6.1. All scheduled games will consist of one seven inning game with one and one (1-1) count unless otherwise noted.
6.2. Games stopped due to weather or darkness will be official after 4 1/2 innings if the home team is winning or any time after 5 innings. Games that do not meet this requirement will be rescheduled and start from the beginning.
6.3. The NSA run rule will be enforced. 20 runs after 1 completed inning, 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, and 10 runs after 5 innings.
7. Umpires
7.1. Umpire fee is $40.00 per game for a regular season regulation game.
7.1.1. Each team should pay the umpire fee when they are the home team.
7.1.2. Umpire fees may be paid at any time; before, during or after the game. It is not a requirement to pay BEFORE a game can be started. (It is reasonable to pay 1/2 before and the remaining 1/2 once the game becomes official.)
7.1.3. The umpire is to receive 1/2 ($20.00) of the fee when a game is started but ends before considered a regulation game.
7.1.4. A forfeit game does not cause the non-offending team to pay the umpire fees. This is the responsibility of the offending team. The umpire will go through the league chief umpire to recover any non-paid fees.
7.1.5. Refusal to pay umpire fees for any reason will result in forfeit and or suspension. Disagreements over calls is not grounds for withholding payments.
8. Equipment & Maintenance
8.1. ALL equipment must conform to NSA rules book specifications.
8.2. The umpire and commissioner may remove any equipment from play at any time if it is deemed questionable in meeting NSA safety guidelines.
8.3. Continuous use of illegal or ineligible equipment will result in a player ejection, suspension and possibly team forfeit. This is a safety rule there is no exception.
8.4. The official league ball is the optic green A.D Starr Tattoo NT1244PS (.52 COR, 275 compression)Teams may continue to use balls previously approved for the 2017 season, Trump EZ-NSA-RP-Y AK-EZ (.52 COR, 275 compression). Absolutely no other balls are acceptable as a substitute.
8.5. The home team will provide one new ball and one used ball for each game. Batting team that causes a ball to no longer be available for play must provide an acceptable replacement.
8.6. No metal spikes are allowed. If discovered, they must be removed from play.
8.7. Base distance
8.7.1. Men’s Base paths will be 70 feet in length. The distance from home to second base is 99′.
8.7.2. Pitcher’s mound is 53 feet.
8.8. ALL bats used in TBSL must comply with league safety standards and inspection. This rule was added in 2018 for player safety.
** BATS that do not meet safety compression standards are not an admission or accusation of cheating, it is simply a recognition that the bat is not meeting safety standards.
8.8.1. Bats will be visually inspected, and compression tested. Bats that meet or exceed the minimum standard will receive a league approved safety sticker.
8.8.2. The batter shall not enter the batter’s box with an altered bat or non-approved bat. The bat will be removed from the game.
8.8.3. Any non-approved bat used in play will cause a ruling of dead ball, the batter is out and without warning is ejected from the game. Base runners may not advance.
8.8.4. Each bat is registered with an owner during inspection. It is the owner’s responsibility to update the league with any changes in ownership.
8.8.5. Any new purchases during the season must be tested prior to becoming legal for use in the league. It is the owner’s responsibility to make arrangements for testing.
8.8.6. Any bat may be retested at any time. Refusal will cause the bat to become illegal. Refusal will also follow the approved NSA rule. A player may be suspended for up to five (5) years.
8.8.7. Umpire may be asked to inspect a bat. It is not their responsibility to inspect bats before the game starts.
9. Uniforms
9.1. It is recognized that uniforms can be an extra expense to some teams and that rosters are difficult to manage. Some players leave or only play on a part-time basis. This section is a compromise to be respectful of teams that make the extra effort and also to help with identifying players that are not on a roster.
9.2. Enforcement of the uniform rule must require a rules protest.
9.3. Teams are required to have matching colored shirts as a uniform.
9.3.1. Matching color is defined as very similar in the color family. Light blue and Navy blue are NOT matching blues.
9.3.2. Matching color is not defined by a matching logo or lettering.
9.3.3. Matching color is that a majority of the shirt must be similar in color to not cause confusion to the other team during play.
Example: A shirt that is mainly yellow with black trim, does not match a black shirt with yellow trim.
9.4. Shirts may have individual numbers but are not a requirement.
9.5. All players in the line up for any game must have matching shirts.
9.5.1. Penalty: The opposing team can be home team for both games AND the offending team will pay umpire fees ($40.00) for both games.
10. Ground Rules
10.1. Slide Rule: All players MUST AVOID COLLISIONS at all bases. If a player does not attempt to avoid collision and in the umpire’s judgment causes any potential harm to a defensive player, the player is declared out. If the umpire determines this to be a malicious, dangerous or irresponsible act, he may also eject the player from the game. If, in, the umpire’s judgment there is no, minimal, or incidental contact, there will be no penalty.
10.2. Home run Rule: 2 and 1 up. Each team has to hit their two home runs before a third could be hit. All illegally hit home runs are outs. The HIT AND SIT rule will be enforced – Home runs will not be run out to save time.
10.3. PENN HILLS PARK HOME RUN RULES
The following rules are in place for safety purposes.
10.3.1. At Penn Hills Park Field #1 (empty pond in right field)
10.3.1.1 Any ball hit on the fly into the high weeds in LEFT FIELD will be considered a home run and count towards a team’s home run total. A hit ball that rolls or bounces into the weeds will be considered a book rule double. Whether a ball reaches the weeds on the fly is entirely a judgment call by the umpire.
10.3.1.2. Any ball hit or rolling onto the top-flat portion of the hill in right-center field is all you can get and will NOT count towards your home run total. Any ball hitting and staying on the sloped hillside will be considered in-play.
10.3.2. At Penn Hills Park Field #2
10.3.2.1. Any batted ball that reaches the parking lot (asphalt) area in left field by air will be considered a home run and count towards a team’s home run total. Outfielders are directed NOT to chase balls into the parking lot where cars could be moving.
10.3.2.2. Any ball that rolls or bounces onto or over the asphalt path in right field is all you can get.
10.3.2.3. Any ball hit over the asphalt path is a home run. This will count against the team total.
11. Tournaments and Playoffs
11.1. Pre-season
11.1.1. There will be a pre-season tournament if weather and field conditions permit.
11.1.2. All NSA league teams are invited to participate.
11.1.3. Regular NSA tournament rules will apply expect any items included in this rules list.
11.2. Post Season Tournament (Ed Adams Memorial Trophy)
11.2.1. There will be a post-season tournament if permit and field are available.
11.2.2. Regular NSA tournament rules will apply expect any items included in this rules list.
11.2.3. This is a one-day tournament. Teams should be prepared to commit all-day.
11.2.4. The top two winners from each section will be invited to play plus two wild card teams.
11.2.5. There will be two brackets. One for sections 1-3 and a second for sections 4-6.
11.2.6. Wild cards are determined by the teams with the next best regular season records eligible for each bracket.
11.2.7. Teams will provide a $100 refundable deposit once they commit to participate. Deposits will be held from awarded prize money. Deposits will be returned as regular prize money payment once teams arrive at the field.
11.2.8. Teams that forfeit after commitment will also forfeit the deposit.
11.2.9. Both teams will pay the umpires $15 per game.
11.3. Playoffs
11.3.1. All teams in good standing with the league are eligible to participate in the playoffs. This includes all fundraising tickets being sold. (added for 2024)
11.3.2. Every attempt will be made to play a double elimination style tournament over two weekends.
11.3.3. Regular NSA tournament rules will apply expect any items included in this rules list.
11.3.4. Playoffs are a tournament. Teams should be prepared to commit all-day.
11.3.5. Any teams that forfeit after Friday before playoffs begin, will also forfeit the deposit.
11.3.6. Forfeit games will treated as a played game. Brackets will not be changed. Only start times for the next games may be changed. Teams should be ready to play the next game.
11.3.7. Both teams will pay the umpires $20 per game.
12. Rainouts
12.1. Every effort is made to provide at least 2 hours of advanced notice about any cancellations.
12.2. The league will communicate league conditions via the Facebook group page, text messages to managers, and emails. In cases where there is no report, the HOME manager and umpire will judge the field for readiness. Visit the league website for detailed information to signup.
12.3. Teams are not to work on any field. There are legal, liability and other issues.
12.4. Every attempt will be made to re-schedule makeups games and update the website ASAP.
13. Standings, Game Results and Tie Breakers
13.1. The home team manager is responsible to post the scores of the games on www.triborosoftballpgh.com. Please don’t make us chase after scores. If the scores are not posted, the visiting team can post them.
13.2. Tie Breakers. When two teams are tied in the standings, the following tie-breakers will be applied:
a. head-to-head win/loss record
b. most runs in head to head play
c. best winning percentage in the division
d. win-loss record with teams .500 or better
e. coin toss ·
NOTE: If the tie-breaker reaches coin toss, teams will split all eligible prize money involved.