AMA PONYTAIL SOFTBALL
BYLAWS

(SPONSORED BY AMA BOOSTERS CLUB)

printable bylaws (.doc)

  1. INSURANCE: (all divisions) The AMA Boosters Club will provide for all insurance to cover all teams.
  2. SPONSORSHIP (all divisions) All coaches are responsible for finding sponsors to pay a $240.00 per team sponsorship prior to the start of league play.
  3. SIGNUPS: (all divisions) Signup dates will be determined by the organization. At the time of signups, the girls must pay the signup fee. All girls must be Calaveras or Alpine County residents.
  4. LATE SIGNUPS (all divisions) After the final signup date (to be determined by commissioner and AMA Director) all late signups must be authorized by the Commissioner. Late signup date to be determined each year. After that date the fee is $70.00(initial cost plus late fee) per player- no multiplayer, same family discount.
  5. SIGNUP FEES (all divisions) $40.00 per player. For multiple players from the same family, the first player pays $40.00 and each additional player pays $35.00.
  6. TWO OR MORE TEAMS (all divisions) When it becomes necessary to split teams within the same division and in the same community, the coaches involved will meet with the Commissioner and divide the teams as equal as possible (by blind draw). Every effort will be made to identify pitchers and catchers to be drawn separately. Coaches will only get their child and the assistant coach’s child before teams are split. (No exceptions). Requests to play for certain teams based on friendships, rides, coaches, etc., will not be granted unless the Commissioner feels it is in the best interest of the girls and teams to do so. (Very few requests if any will fall into this category)
  7. COACHES: (all divisions) Background checks will be done on all coaches through SS#, DL# and fingerprinting. No one will be allowed to coach if they have ever been convicted of a felony, received a DUI citation within the past 12 months, been convicted of sexual misconduct, been convicted of assault or convicted of any child related misconduct. This will be enforced because of the safety of the girls playing softball, the insurance requirements as well as the liability which AMA Ponytail Softball would be responsible for if any inappropriate behavior took place with a player or spectator and coach. Coaches will be held accountable for their actions and will be removed from their coaching positions if after being warned, they do not comply with the direction given by the Commissioner. Coaches are also responsible for the actions of their players and fans, during practice and at games. Coaches have the responsibility to use player as they see fit. However, if league officials observe any unsportsmanlike act by a coach, the coach involved shall be suitably disciplined.

    In the event that the local umpire/coach clinic is scheduled, all coaches should make every attempt possible to attend.

    Coaches are responsible for making sure the dugout and stands are clean after each game especially at the end of the night or day.

  8. CODE OF ETHICS (all divisions) Each player and their parents or guardian must sign a Code of Ethics form to be able to play or attend any AMA activity. Failure to sign for will mean no participation until form is completed. Coaches will receive the forms when they are given their team and are responsible for getting forms signed. Coaches will report to Commissioner when all are signed and keep in their possession for the season.
  9. ROSTERS: (all divisions) Each coach must fill out a roster for each team. The roster shall contain the name of the team, division, coaches name, address and telephone number, assistant coaches name, address and telephone number, sponsors names, address and telephone number, shirt color choices number of players, players name, address, birthdates, telephone number, shirt size, check marked that the coach has consent form and Code of Ethics.

    The roster must be turned in to the Commissioner five (5) weeks before the start of league play. (This is to ensure adequate time to order uniforms, equipment and insurance) Permission slips shall be given to the Commissioner at the time teams are formed. Coaches must keep the medical release (consent) form and be in immediate possession the medical forms at all practices and games. Failure to do so will result in a forfeiture of the game involved.

  10. MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS (all divisions) A player may move up to a higher division, but must stay in that division for the entire season. A player may not drop down to a lower division. The Commissioner must approve all movement of players.
  11. EQUIPMENT: (all divisions) The AMA shall provide all safety equipment necessary for the game. Current ASA (Amateur Softball Association) rules regarding the use of equipment shall be in effect.
  12. UNIFORMS: (all divisions) Uniform shirts, provided by the AMA must be worn at all games. All players must wear some sort of tennis shoe or all-purpose athletic shoe with rubber cleats. No sandals, thongs or other inappropriate shoes will be allowed. During a game, the umpire will determine the appropriateness of footwear.
  13. JEWELRY AND HAIR: (all divisions) No jewelry will be worn during any practice or game. All long hair must be pulled back with a rubber band or taped so that it is out of the eyes.
  14. CANCELLATION OF GAMES: (all divisions) Games cannot be cancelled except by the Commissioner. In the event that a game needs to be cancelled, the coach involved must make every attempt to contact the Commissioner as soon as the need becomes apparent. In the event that a game has not been cancelled and a legal team cannot be fielded by game time, a forfeiture of the game will occur. In case two (2) teams cannot be fielded by game time, then a double forfeiture will have occurred and a loss by both teams will be recorded.

    In the event of legal cancellation, the cancelled game will be rescheduled and played at the earliest date available.

  15. THREE INNING RULE: (all divisions) All girls must be scheduled to play a minimum of three innings in every game unless she is benched for disciplinary reasons. If substitute players have not been inserted into the game at the end of the third inning, the coach must insert them at that time or when half of the allotted time for the game has been reached.

    In the event a player is benched for disciplinary reasons, the coach and scorekeeper of the opposing team must be notified of this action prior to the start of the game. Failure to comply with this rule will be cause for forfeiture.

    This rule applies to all divisions. However, in the 7/8 grade divisions (which plays 7 innings) a starting player may be reinserted after the substitute has played her full three innings.

  16. COMPLETE TEAM: (all divisions) A team shall conform with current ASA rules. Games will start promptly at the scheduled time. If a team of at least eight (8) players cannot be fielded at game time, that team will forfeit. Teams must make every effort to arrive ½ hour before game time.
  17. PLAYING FIELD: (all divisions) The fields will be prepared for games by both teams that have the first game (whether by the coach or an assigned parent, player or spectator.) The teams that have the last game will clean up the fields, dugouts and surrounding area. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a forfeit of your game. The regulation softball diamond will be used as set forth in the current ASA Rule Book.
  18. UMPIRES: (all divisions) Umpires will have full control of the game and all coaches are asked to respect the call of the umpires. All spectators must remain in the stands or behind the fences. The umpire will have the authority to call the game for unsportsmanlike conduct from any adult and to eject from the game any player or coach who displays unsportsmanlike conduct. A coach is responsible for the action of his/her team’s fans. The league officials will pay umpires once a week by check. Attending the umpire clinic will be mandatory for all umpires.
  19. ALCOHOIC BEVERAGES (all divisions) No alcoholic beverages will be allowed at any Ponytail Softball games or practices, nor will any coaches or anyone involved with the team be under the influence of alcohol during any games or practices. If alcohol is present at a game, the umpire will stop the game until the alcohol is removed. Failure to comply will result in the game being called and the opposing team will win by forfeiture.
  20. SCOREBOOK AND SCOREKEEPERS: (all divisions) The AMA Boosters Club will furnish new scorebooks. Each team is responsible for providing a scorekeeper for each game. The umpire should check with both scorekeepers after each inning. All players shall be listed with last name and first name or initial and jersey number. Please have umpires sign the scorebooks after each game.
  21. RULES: The umpire team is in full control of the game and will be umpiring the game within the rules set for in the current ASA Rule Book, with the following exceptions:
    The Game:
    1. 3/4 Division – A game will consist of 6 innings. No team will be allowed to earn more that 5 runs in one inning, if they are tied or ahead in the game at the start of a given inning. If a team is behind at the start of an inning, they may catch up to the other team and go ahead by 5 runs. A time limit of 1 hour and 20 minutes during the week and 1 hour and 50 minutes on weekends will be imposed.
    2. 5/6 Division – A game will consist of 6 innings. No team will be allowed to earn more that 7 runs in one inning, if they are tied or ahead in the game at the start of a given inning. If a team is behind at the start of an inning, they may catch up to the other team and go ahead by 7 runs. A time limit of 1 hour and 20 minutes during the week and 1 hour and 50 minutes on the weekends will be imposed.
    3. 7/8 Division – A game will consist of 7 innings. No team will be allowed to earn more that 7 runs in one inning, if they are tied or ahead in the game at the start of a given inning. If a team is behind at the start of an inning, they may catch up to the other team and go ahead by 7 runs. A time limit of 1 hour and 20 minutes during the week and 1 hour and 50 minutes on the weekends will be imposed.
    4. All Division – In case of rain or darkness, a game is complete at the end of 4 innings of play. A game will be considered complete if any on team is ahead by 15 runs at the end of 5 innings.
    Base Stealing:
    1. 3/4 Division – May not advance on a overthrow, no stealing home
    2. 5/6 Division – Base stealing will be allowed as set forth in the current ASA Rules with the following exceptions – No Stealing Home.
    3. 7/8 Division – Base stealing will be allowed as set forth in the current ASA Rules.
    4. All Divisions – A player may advance on an overthrow to the pitcher. An overthrow occurs if the pitcher is outside the circle and drops the ball or is in the circle, drops the ball and the ball goes outside the circle.
    Leading Off Bases:
    (all divisions)
    1. A runner cannot leave the base until the ball has left the pitchers hand. Runners will be called out if they leave the base to soon. There will be no warnings.
    Substitutions:
    (all divisions)
    1. Free substitutions will be allowed. However, if a starter (or sub) returns to the games, she must return to her original batting order (i.e., the substitute must come out if the starter goes back in). If a pitcher is removed from the mound, she may return to the mound only if she has not been removed from the game by the umpire. There will be no DH rule.
  22. SPECIAL RULES FOR 3/4 DIVISION:
    1. Pitcher/player will pitch and balls and strikes will be called in accordance with the description of such in the current ASA Rule Book.
    2. Pitcher/player will pitch from 35 feet (front of circle).
    3. Pitcher/player will continue to pitch until 3 outs are recorded or she has walked 3 consecutive batters in the inning. When this occurs, the pitcher/coach will pitch the remainder of the inning.
    4. The pitcher/coach must start his/her delivery anywhere within the pitching circle.
    5. The pitcher/player must be in the pitching circle at the start of the pitcher/coach’s delivery and remain there until the ball passes home plate or is batted.
    6. With the pitcher/coach, there is no walking. However, a batter can strike out. A maximum of seven (7) pitches will be made to a batter. After seven (7) pitches, the batter is out, except if the seventh and subsequent pitches are foul balls.
    7. Pitcher/coach must move out of the way of all batted or thrown balls, except those thrown to him/her by the pitcher/player.
    8. If the batted ball hits the pitcher/coach, it is declared a dead ball and is replayed.
    9. The pitcher/coach must make every attempt to get out of the way of a player making an attempt on a thrown or batted ball.
    10. If, during the play, the pitcher/coach catches the ball, the ball is declared dead and the runners must return to the previous base. Fielders should be instructed to only throw the ball to the pitcher/player.
    11. No base stealing when a pitcher/coach has entered the game.
    12. No advance by a runner can take place on an overthrow by the catcher to the pitcher/player during the pitching sequence. However, during live play, a runner may advance on an overthrow by any other player to the pitcher/player.(See #21 for overthrow definition)
    13. During live play, after the pitcher/player has control of the ball in the pitching circle, it shall be the judgment of the umpire as to whether the runner was over half way and be awarded the base or should be returned to the last base occupied by the runner.
  23. YEAR-END TOURNAMENT (all divisions) The Commissioner and AMA Director shall determine a year end tournament. Date, special rules and other pertinent information shall be made available to coaches as soon as possible. The tournament will have trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
  24. DOGS: (all divisions) It will not be permissible to bring dogs on to AMA (Copello Park) property. Signs are posted as such.

    If an umpire or AMA Official observes a dog, play at both games will cease until animal is removed from the property. Play will cease for no longer that 15 minutes at which time a double forfeit will occur at both games. Exception – Seeing Eye Dogs.

  25. EVERYONE CONCERNED: Please make every attempt to help keep Copello Park an enjoyable place to bring your family and friends. Pitch in and keep our park clean.

Winning is not the most important thing we are trying to teach these girls. Good sportsmanship, teamwork, having fun and softball skills are what we are trying to teach as well as encourage. The nature of sports lends itself to winning and losing just by keeping score and competitiveness between players. It is realized that some years simply by the luck of the draw, unforeseen injuries or incidents a team might not have a very good win/loss record but that is also part of sports. This becomes the responsibility of the coach and parents to make every season an enjoyable one for the girls on their team regardless of the win/loss record. This program is for the girls of our community to have fun, so it becomes all of our responsibility to insure that his happens!