10.26 - All team('s) participating in the World Series are responsible for their team fees.

10.3 - The mailing list of WUSA is privileged and shall not be shared with any other group or organization or used for personal purposes, excepting that the League may share the names and contact information of Board members with the ASA, ASANA and sister tournaments.

10.4 – Team managers are responsible for maintaining an up-to-date league roster through the season and provide revised copies to the Secretary/Treasurer as needed.

10.5 - A player who affiliates with a team, but has not yet taken the field for that team, may change to a different team at any time.

10.6 - A player who has played for a team may switch teams one time during a season upon obtaining a release form from their team manager or coach.

10.7 - To be eligible to play for a team in league playoffs, a player must have played in or been on the bench for at least one-third of that team's regular season games. A player not meeting that requirement may request an exception from the Commissioner if based on illness, injury, military duty or extraordinary circumstances. There is no absolute right to such an exception and requests must be made by July 1. 

10.8 - The Secretary/Treasurer shall prepare and submit to the teams for player signature the ASANA and ASA rosters.

10.9 - Players joining a team after the submission deadline for ASA or ASANA's roster must sign a roster amendment.

11 - SCHEDULE

11.1 - The Scheduling Committee shall prepare, a schedule based on the number of teams properly registered at least two weeks prior to the scheduled opening date of the season. The Schedule must be approved by the board.

11.2 - A team has the right, upon agreement with the management of another team, to postpone a scheduled game so long as notice shall be given the Commissioner seven days before such game. The teams and league will then make a good-faith effort to reschedule that game. Should circumstances prevent rescheduling, the teams involved accept any effect the outcome of not having played that game may have on their playoff position or the eligibility of players to participate in playoffs as specified in Section 10.8.

11.3- WUSA will play double headers.


12 - SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR FIELD CONDITIONS

12.1 - Safety will be the first and primary concern when considering delay, postponement, suspension or cancellation of games.

12.2 - Umpires have full and final authority to delay, suspend or cancel a game due to field conditions.

12.3 - The Commissioner or next ranking officer will assess field conditions when making the decision to change the schedule because of weather conditions or any other situation that presents a challenge to safe play. Considerations will include, but not be limited to, wetness of the outfield, mud on the infield, standing water on the baseline or at home plate.

12.4 - The Commissioner may delay the start of games up to 12 noon, but no longer, if there is a reasonable belief that conditions will improve.  Morning games will be rescheduled.

12.5 - If a suspension in play for rain lasts longer than 30 minutes, that game and subsequent scheduled games will be called for the day.

12.6 - No game shall continue where lightening has been observed in the area.

12.7 - If a decision to call or delay games is being made prior to the start of a day's games, the Commissioner will endeavor to make a decision at least one hour prior to the time the first game is scheduled to start, coaches will be notified by either/or, phone, email, weather hotline or website (http://www.wusa.talkspot.com/). It will be the responsibility of Managers, Coaches and League members to check for schedule changes. It is incumbent on League members to understand that making such decisions can be subjective and that the League will always err on the side of safety and caution.

12.75 - Teams scheduled for the first games of the day should prepare to play while awaiting the decision for play.

12.8 - In the event a day's games are called after a game has started, that game will be considered complete after 5 innings or, if playing under the 60-minute rule, after 35 minutes of play so long as the team behind in the score shall have had its chance to bat in the inning where play is suspended. If the game is called without having reached either level, the game will be rescheduled to be completed from the point at which play was halted.

12.9 – Rained out games will be played in order in available rain day slots noted on approved schedule.

13 - GENERAL RULES

13.1 - Time Limit - All games, with the exception of ties or playoff title games, will be played with a 1 hour and 10 minute(70min) time limit on a 3-2 count (1 strike, 1 ball already recorded when a batter comes to the plate).

**In the event of a TIE, the international Tie Breaker rule will take affect after 1 hour or 7 innings of play, whichever comes first.

13.11 - Scorekeeping - In the absence of a league scorekeeper, the home team in any game is responsible for having a scorekeeper.

13.12 - Uniforms - Teams must play in uniforms of like color with numbered shirts on which numbers are at least 6-inches in height and of reasonable design/color as to be clearly visible from the stands.

13.13 - Forfeits - Any team, which forfeits more than five games for any reason, will result in forfeiture of the rest of their games for the season. Players may join another team if the roster deadline has not passed, and both coaches are in agreement. The Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner must be notified of the change before that player may take the field for another team.  No monies will be refunded for any reason.

13.14 - Starting times – It is suggested that all players are to be at the field, ready to play at least 30 minutes before the scheduled starting time. When the league is playing on schedule, there will be NO grace period allowed for arrival of late players. In other situations where an opportunity to start earlier presents itself, the coaches/managers of the opposing teams may agree to start sooner.

13.15 - Field set up/clean up - Teams scheduled for the first game of the day are encouraged to assist in setting up the field - placing bases and lining - while teams in the final game are encouraged to assist with base removal and cleaning up.

13.16 - Bat removal - The catcher is responsible for clearing bats from the plate and the base lines during play; on-deck batters should remove bats from the field.

13.2 - Slaughter rules - A game ends after three complete innings if a team leads by more than 18 runs and after five complete innings if a team leads by 12 runs.

13.3 - Starting with fewer than 9 players - If a game starts with either team having fewer than 9 players, the game ends at any point where a team attains a 12-run lead, providing that the losing team has had its turn at bat for that inning.

13.4 - Balls - All games will be played with 11-inch balls.

13.5 - Lineups - Team managers/scorekeepers must turn in a full lineup 15 minutes prior to starting time, giving the full names and shirt numbers of all starting players and all possible substitutes. *Team rosters must be with teams every game and any changes must be turned in before the player takes the field.*

13.6 - Credit for Games not played in - A player will receive credit for a game, even if that person has not played, so long as that person is present and listed on the lineup. If a player who is absent is listed on a lineup and does not attend a game, tha

Team rosters must be with teams every game and any changes must be turned in before the player takes the field.

t person's name must be scratched from the lineup at the conclusion of the game. A team that retains names of players who did not attend on a lineup may have that game ruled a forfeit by the Commissioner.

13.7 - Substitutions - Managers may substitute players in any inning; managers can rearrange their field positions at any time and need not notify the scorekeeper; substitutes must bat in the place of the person they are subbing for, so if the person they replace was batting 7th, the sub must bat 7th, failing to do so may result in an automatic out.

13.8 - Courtesy runners -Requests for courtesy runners must be worked out between team officials prior to the start of a game. The courtesy runner must always be the last person who was out. In the event there have been no outs, the last player in the line-up order ahead of the batter, but who is not on base, will be used.

13.9 - Bats - ASANA standards shall apply.



14 - SPECIAL RULES & EXCEPTIONS TO ASA RULES

The league has opted out of some ASA rules or adopted other special rules:

14.1 - Automatic outs with 9 players - Teams that start a game with 9 players will not have an automatic out.

14.2 - Automatic outs with 8 or fewer players - Teams starting with 8 or fewer players will be assessed automatic outs for ALL missing batters, including the 10th. This remains in force until the team reaches 9 players.

14.3 - Loss of players - A team that starts with 10 players and loses one or more for any reason will be allowed to continue play, but ALL lineup vacancies constitute automatic outs.

14.4 - Minimum player start -Teams may start with as few as 6 players and avoid a forfeit.


15 - PROTESTS

15.1 - Protests regarding the application of rules of play must be filed according to ASA rules.

15.2 - Protests regarding the eligibility of players within WUSA must be filed with the Secretary/Treasurer in writing; the Secretary/Treasurer shall communicate such protests to the entire Board within 24 hours.

15.3 - The Board may vote on eligibility protests at the field or by telephone, excepting that any Board member may call for a formal meeting. In that event, the meeting must be held prior to the next official game involving the Team of the player in question.

15.4 - If a player shall be deemed to have been ineligible, the Board shall have three options:
a) If it is determined that the player and team were acting in good faith and the ineligibility is deemed to be a technical issue, the Board may order that the game in question be replayed without further penalty.
b) If it is determined that the team acted in good faith, but the player did not, the player may be expelled or suspended and/or may have all statistical achievements for the determined period of ineligibility erased. The game may then be replayed.
c) If it is determined that both the team and the player acted in bad faith, the offending team forfeits the game in question and all statistical gains of all players on that team from that game are erased. A 7-0 win is awarded to the other team. The winning team's players retain all statistical gains. The offending team and player also shall be subject to suspension or expulsion from the League under procedures set for in Section 15.

16 - CODE OF CONDUCT

The following apply to conduct of teams and players, both on the playing field and within the park.

16.1 - Jewelry – It is suggested that players should not wear jewelry or watches on the field as these pose a risk of injury. Enforcement of the jewelry rule is at the umpire’s discretion.

16.2 - Fighting - Fighting will not be tolerated. Any player involved in a fight - whether or not he or she initiated the fight - will be ejected immediately for the remainder of that day and will then be called before the Board of Directors within a week. After hearing from those involved and considering the nature of the events, the board will have broad authority to determine any sanction, including suspension of any duration, expulsion and/or fines.

16.3 - Blood rule - No player will be allowed on the field with a bleeding injury - umpires will allow reasonable time to tend injuries, otherwise a sub should be sent in.

16.4 - Profanity - Aggressive profanity will be cause for ejection.

16.5 – Alcohol/Pets - No alcohol is allowed on city or university/school property. (Pets - All pets must be leashed.) These rules will be followed in accordance to City rules.

16.6 - Talking to officials - Only the team coach or manager may speak with umpires regarding calls and other game events; any other player who approaches an official to protest a play or challenge a call is subject to ejection. Officials also have broad authority to order team forfeiture.

16.7 – Unsportsmanslike conduct – Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be allowed on or off of the field.

17 - DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND RIGHTS TO HEARING

17.1 - The Board, any player, coach or manager may file a complaint against any other player, coach, manager or team with the Commissioner, alleging willful violations of eligibility, malicious conduct and./or failure to abide by League rules. Such complaint may initially be made verbally, but must, within 24 hours, be documented in writing, specifying the alleged violation of League rules or standards of conduct and given to an Executive Officer.

17.2 – Unsportsmanslike conduct – Any player, coach or league member who displays unsportsmanlike conduct ON or OFF the field will be subject to the following:

1st Offense = Verbal Warning accompanied by written documentation and approval by the Board.

2nd Offense = 2 full game Suspension (If player is ejected from a game, the player
will be suspended for the remainder of that game and the 2 games immediately following. Any player suspended must leave the grounds immediately.)

3rd Offense = Expulsion from the League for the remainder of the season. Player
will not be allowed to participate in any league functions.


17.3 - The Commissioner, when given good cause, may suspend any player, coach, manager or team for a period of 24 hours. Anyone so suspended must leave the field and the vicinity of the game or activity, including parking areas, immediately. Failure to do so, irrespective of the circumstances, will constitute an act of gross violation of league rules and subject the player, coach, manager or team to loss of membership without further action as stipulated in Section 1.5. Should the Commissioner decline to suspend, any player, coach or manager may file a written grievance with the Board requesting a suspension. In the absence of the Commissioner, any elected Executive Officer member may act in the Commissioner's stead as described in this section.

17.4 - Upon suspension, a player, manager, coach may notify the Secretary/Treasurer in writing (email/letter) within 72 hours of a Request for Hearing. A Coach or manager, acting on behalf of a suspended player, also may make notice of a Request for Hearing.

17.5 - The Board of Directors, when seated as a Hearing Board, shall conduct no other business, and shall meet at a place and time of its selection, so long as such meeting shall be held prior to the next scheduled League play date and all parties to the grievance have been notified. Procedural and evidentiary questions shall be decided by majority vote and all motions shall be taken, with no requirement for a second.

17.6 - The Board shall take testimony from anyone directly involved in the incident and anyone else of its selection. The individual or team that is subject to discipline shall have similar right to have persons give testimony and may, for purposes of this Hearing, make motions to the Board.

17.7 - Any other interested party may request to be heard and may submit testimony or evidence in writing.

17.8 - All such hearings shall be open to all members. All evidence presented shall be open to review by members. Non-members may not attend hearings except upon invitation of the Board.

17.9 - After all testimony is heard and evidence is received, the Board may, at its discretion, meet in Executive Session. All members agree that discussion in such sessions is and shall remain secret.

17.91 - Various motions for judgment may be entertained and taken under advisement by the Board. Votes for final judgment and for disciplinary action will be taken by roll call vote in open session with the most serious recommended actions considered first.

17.92 - A simple majority may order a suspension of a player or team for any length of time not greater than one year, excepting that the suspension shall not continue past Dec. 31 of that year. In lieu of suspension, the Board also may assess monetary fines.

17.93 - A two-thirds majority is required to expel a member or a team for any length or time.

17.94 - A team suspension or expulsion extends to any member of that team identified by the Board; absent such specification, members of such a team may immediately seek transfer to another team and the requirement that such players have the approval of their manager or coach to transfer shall be waived. Further, a player who may have previously transferred to that team during the season will be excused from the single transfer rule.

17.95 - No person who shall be the subject of such a Hearing may sit on the Board for the purpose of such hearings or for deliberation and judgment. Should a team be subject to action, its right to a seat on the Board shall be suspended excepting that on any vote, that team's vote shall automatically be recorded as a vote in its defense and in opposition to any penalty sought.

17.96 - The Board, at its discretion, may refund any portion of a team or member's annual dues.

17.97 - Only the results of a Board vote and the penalty it has ordered shall be announced and released. Discussion during executive session shall remain confidential.

17.98 - If the Board should determine that an accusation was brought with malicious intent and was groundless, the Board may take action against the complainant in accord with the rules of this Section.


18 - DISSOLVING THE ASSOCIATION

18.1 - The Board of Directors may adopt a resolution recommending that WUSA be dissolved and submit it to the annual General Membership meeting or a special meeting of the General Membership called in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws.

18.2 - A Resolution of Dissolution shall be adopted on a two-thirds vote of members present and in good standing.

18.3 - Upon passage of such a resolution, the Board shall present a final financial statement. If there are outstanding liabilities or obligations, the Board shall detail a plan to satisfy and discharge such debts; if there are assets in excess of obligations, the Board shall recommend an organization to which such assets may be transferred, subject to a majority vote of the General Membership with a requirement that such recipient organization be a not for profit, charitable organization having as its primary purpose the support of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered community of the area served by WUSA. The Commissioner shall, in either situation, be allowed to withhold a sum of monies sufficient to meet the purpose of satisfying the requirement of Section 18.4.

18.4 - Within 30 days of acceptance of the Resolution of Dissolution and the liquidation of assets or satisfaction of debts, the Commissioner shall cause to be printed in a newspaper of general circulation this notice, dated and over the names and titles of all then-serving members of the Executive Committee:

“By order of the General Membership, upon recommendation of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors: The organization known as the Women’s United Softball Association is and has been dissolved; All financial obligations of said organization are paid and discharged; That no one may enter into legal agreement on behalf of said organization; That all rights to any registered names, titles or trademarks of the association are herewith surrendered; And that all authority vested in and titles of office conferred upon all officers and representatives of said Women’s United Softball Association are now and forever, absolutely revoked.”