NOTE:  New 2008 rules are printed in red ...

The Hyannis Softball League began in 1979.  Ours is the only local league whose players actually cleared, designed and built their own ballfield!  The 2007 season is our 26th at Lopes Field, and we hope you'll do your part to keep it a great place to play. 

We'll let other leagues chase satin jackets, indulge in boring home run derbies and have infantile arguments.  We play because we enjoy the camraderie, the competition and the opportunity to continue playing this wonderful game.

Rosters
Each team can include up to 15 players on its roster.  The team captain counts as a roster player.  All players must be at least 18 years of age, and only two players on each roster can be a player in another summer softball league or on a team that competes in tournaments (employees playing on a company team in a “work league” are exempt). 

Unauthorized playing in another league will result in a five-game suspension of that player on the first offense, and a season suspension for a second offense.  A second offense by the same team will result in that team being assessed two forfeits (up to a season total of two).

Final team rosters must be submitted in writing by May 17th, and no players may be added or replaced after that date.  All players included on the final roster are eligible for the playoffs.

The appearance of any non-roster (or illegal) player in a game results in the immediate forfeit of that game by his team.

Games
A game must begin at its scheduled time if each team has at least nine roster players in its lineup*.  Late-arriving players may be added to bottom of order during the game or replace starting players. 

A team whose ninth player has not arrived 15 minutes after the scheduled game time must begin play with only eight players. 

*Exception:  The 8:30am Sunday game must start on time, even if a team has only eight players. 

A team that cannot assemble eight roster players within 15 minutes of the scheduled game time will forfeit the game and must pay a $15 fine to the League before it will be permitted to play its next game.  Three forfeits in one season will result in expulsion from the League.

Team may include all 15 roster players in starting lineup and substitute freely in the field.  Unless injured, a player may not be dropped from the lineup during the game.  A team may designate no more than two players eligible for a "Courtesy Runner" prior to a game.  A batter legging out an extra-base hit cannot accept a courtesy runner.   Captains agree to let every healthy player bat during the course of a game.

All games are 9 innings, unless game is tied (extra innings as needed) or ended by the Forty Run Rule.  Playoff games (semi-finals and finals) interrupted by darkness or weather before nine innings have been completed will be suspended and resumed to conclusion immediately before the next game of that series begins.

Any game ended by darkness or weather, while tied, after nine or more complete innings is ruled a complete-game tie, and will be replayed in its entirety.

High Score Rule:  If teams combine for 40 runs before the 8th inning, the game will end after the next complete inning (unless the game is tied).  In other words, at the moment the 40th run crosses the plate, the game is in the 8th inning.  This rule is suspended for playoff semi-finals and finals.

Slaughter Rule:  Any team leading by 20+ runs after five completed innings or 15+ runs after seven or more completed innings will be declared the winner, and the game will end.  This rule is suspended for the playoffs.

Foul balls on a two-strike count are strikeouts.  Any batter who leaves the batters box during the course of his swing will be declared out.

Each team is permitted one over-the-fence home run per game.  A second over-the-fence hit is a ground-rule triple.  A third over-the-fence hit is a ground-rule double.  A fourth one is a single.  All subsequent balls hit over the fence are outs.

If the umpire considers a bat to be too “hot”, he may remove it from the game and refer it to our league’s Compliance Committee, which will test the bat and determine whether it can be used again in the Hyannis League.  An opposing team may also refer a bat to this committee, but cannot remove it from the game in progress.

No metal spikes or takeout slides are permitted.  Runners are not allowed to crash into fielders and must slide on tag plays.  Fielders are not permitted to decoy runners with "phantom tags".  Any of these acts or any other intent to injure (in the opinion of the umpire) will result in ejection from the game.  Loud profanity, tossing of any equipment or unsportsmanlike conduct toward any umpire or fellow League member will result in ejection.  Any player ejected twice during a season will be removed from his team's roster and cannot be replaced.

Rain & Rescheduling
When in doubt, show up.  Our field drains well, and we've had some good games in light (and not-so-light!) rain.  In case of lightning or steady downpour, captains will agree on reschedule date and notify umpire at least 30 minutes before gametime.  Teams may not reschedule games in order to participate in tournaments.

General
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Lopes Field
(see permit), nor is conduct that is inappropriate or offensive to the families who attend our games.

While umpires have complete authority to warn or eject misbehaving players during games, any misconduct at Marshall Lopes Field before or after games by a roster player can be brought to the attention of a team rep.  Upon a team rep’s recommendation, the League may consider a subsequent suspension or expulsion of the offending player.

Home team supplies two game balls and is responsible for posting numerals on the scoreboard.  Subsequent replacement balls are supplied by the team that causes the ball-in-play to be lost.

We expect our players to properly dispose of any empty soda cans, water bottles, etc. that they brought to the field.  Each player agrees to participate in the upkeep of Lopes Field and will contribute at least two hours during the season for organized field improvements.