These are the 2007 local and ground rules agreed by the captains and finalised on Friday 27 April 2007.

OSA League Rules: 2007 Season
Updated by Mark Norman 27/04/07 version 5

All ISF 2006-2009 rules will be followed for the entire duration of the 2007 season, with the exceptions/modifications/clarifications detailed below.

1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Coaches
Clarification: Most teams are adjudged to have player-coaches, which are generally referred to as "captains".

1.2 Line Up Cards
Clarification: Teams are required to provide line-up cards to the opposition if requested to do so. Teams are also required to present their score book during a game when requested by the opposition, umpire or OSA official.

1.3 League Structure
If there are eight teams in the league then there will be one division and all teams play each other twice. If there are nine teams, there will be two divisions and all teams will play each other twice. If ten teams exist, there will be two divisions, teams play other teams in the same division twice and teams from the other division once.

1.4 Promotion and relegation within divisions
Clarification: To promote a competitive league structure teams that finish bottom of division one are automatically relegated and the team that wins divsion two will be promoted.
Modification: As the league grows new teams joining the league will start in the lower division
Modification for the 2007 season: we will have five teams in divsion one and four teams in division two.

1.5 Officially sanctioned scratch teams
With the permission of the full OSA committee, the league may support a 'scratch team' in the lower division. This means that no roster will be required. 'Scratch teams' may provide a good learning environment for beginners. Any spare player from any team or club may play for the 'scratch team' as many times as he or she wishes. Scheduled games involving the 'scratch team' will automatically be scored as a 7-0 win to the opposition, providing a game has taken place. A win will not be awarded to teams that forfeit games against the scratch team for reasons of not turning up, or turning up with too few players. Personal statistics are not to be collected for individuals playing for or against the 'scratch team'.


2. PITCHES
Clarification: Local Field Rules for the pitches at Rover Social Club are detailed under point 13.

Clarification: The home team are required to provide and lay out: bases, pitching strip and home plate prior to the game. Teams not owning such equipment must make arrangements to borrow field equipment for the game.

Modification: Where the 175 foot "CO-ED LINE" is marked on pitches all designated outfielders must remain behind the 175' line until the ball is hit. Penalty: If an outfielder crosses the arch prior to the ball being hit and also fields the ball inside the arch, a delayed dead ball shall be signalled. The offense shall have the option of taking the result of the play or awarding the batter first base and all base runners will advance. This applies to all batters (male and female).

3. EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY
3.1 Bats
Clarification: Bats must all comply with the latest BSF guidelines, which follow the ASA standards.

3.2 Shoes
Clarification: No metal studs, cleats or spikes are allowed. In addition, the umpire, at their discretion, may ban footwear on safety grounds. Football boots with steel tips on the studs are not allowed.

3.3 Protective Equipment
Modification: Catchers must wear proprietary face masks for all game play and warm up when a batter is at the plate. The catcher may remove the mask during the course of play after the ball has been batted.

Clarification: Batting helmets are optional for players over 16, but compulsory for players under 16. Usage is to be encouraged for all other players.

3.4 Uniforms
Matching shirts are to be encouraged, but are not required. No other uniform rules are to be enforced other than those relating to safety which are at the discretion of the umpire.


4 COACHES, PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES
4.1 Number of Players
Modification: Teams are permitted to play with fewer than 10 players, to a minimum of 7. They may choose where these "holes" appear in their field and batting line-up (although they cannot exceed: 2 men in the outfield, 2 men in the in-field or a male pitcher/catcher, and must bat alternately man-woman as far as possible).
Modification: An automatic out will be enforced for every person missing from the batting line-up of 10 to a maximum of 2. Teams of 7 will therefore have two players of the same sex batting consecutively.
Clarification: The "EP" (extra player) is an option included in League play, and is detailed in the ISF rules.
Modification: If the league has designated an official 'scratch team', automatic outs are not applicable in games involving this team.

4.2 Team Rosters
For weeks 1 and 2 teams must submit a copy of their line-ups to the opposition and as the Exec committee, indicating any borrowed or new players. Rostering on the BSUK website is not required.

Before games in Week 3 commence, teams must have rostered all players (with the exception of “new players”) on the BSUK website.

"New Players" are defined as people not having played in the Oxfordshire League in the previous season. These players are allowed a grace period of two League games before rostering requirements apply.

Clarification: For the purpose of League games, players may be rostered to only one OSA League team at any time. This does not exclude players from joining other teams for tournament purposes outside of games organised by the OSA.

Modification: Teams may borrow one man and/or one woman rostered to other BSUK affiliated teams OR teams may borrow two ladies- however at least one of these ladies must be from a Division Two team.

Clarification: A player may change teams (and hence rosters) once per season, but not during the first or last three weeks of the season.

Modification: Teams from the same club may “swap” up to two players between teams for any match. But no more than two Div.1 players may be present in any Div.2 team at any time. Div.1 players are restricted to two appearances for the Div.2 team in the season. Personal stats will not be accepted for award purposes unless playing a Div.1 team and they may only play as pitcher, catcher, CR or RF position. There are no restrictions on Div.2 players playing up.
This is limited to 1 male and 1 female or two females in addition to the other borrowing rules.

Modification: If the league has designated an official 'scratch team', the rules regarding borrowing, swapping and rostering are irrelevant for that team.

4.3 Team Composition
Modification: Teams may field women as men, but not visa-versa.

Modification: Teams may field a non-playing catcher of either sex (who does not appear in the batting line-up).
Modification: The batting team will field a non-playing catcher if requested to do so by a fielding team with less than 10 players able to take to the field.

Modification: Illegal re-entry of a player will result in the ejection of the player only (and not both player and coach/captain).


5 THE GAME
5.1 Start Time
Modification: Unless by prior agreement between captains, League games will start at 19:00 irrespective of the number of players present from either team. If a team is unable to field the require minimum of 7 legal players by 19:00, then the game is forfeited and a friendly played instead. The Executive Committee may rule, for games at the start or end of the season, the legal start time should be 18:45. Notice should be given to all captains of this time change.

5.2 Tied games
As opposed to the ISF rules regarding tied games (rule 5, section 3b), tied games after seven complete innings are allowed to stand as regulation (completed) games.

5.3 Offensive/Defensive Choice
Clarification: The home team (as defined by the fixtures list) have the option to bat 1st or 2nd.

5.4 Games Stopped Before Completion
Modification: If a game is stopped due to poor light, dangerous conditions, lightning or accident on the field which prevents the game from continuing on that diamond, then the game will be frozen unless it can be considered a regulation (completed) game (see ISF rule 5, section 3, and the clarification here, below). It will be restarted at the end of the season if it allows, from exactly where it stopped. Teams may field different players for the reconvened innings, but players participating in both the original and reconvened innings must appear in the same place in the batting order.

Clarification: A game can be considered to be 'regulation' (completed) if the team second at bat is leading in the bottom of the fifth inning or if five innings have been completed. Where a game has to be abandoned within the sixth or seventh innings, the score will be rolled back to the last complete inning, unless the team second at bat is ahead in runs. (Example: Team A bats first and is ahead in runs after 5 complete innings. If the game is called in the top of the 6th, then Team A wins. However, if Team B takes the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning and the game is called, Team B wins.)

Modification: If it is decided by either captain that playing conditions have become too dangerous to continue, then play will stop until both captains are happy to resume. If it is apparent that this will mean no further play that evening, then either the game is called as a regulation (completed) game or the game is 'frozen' (as outlined above).

Modification: At the first sign of lightning, the umpire shall stop the game and all players must take shelter inside a building if available. If after 15 minutes there is no further lightning, then the game can resume. If after 30 minutes there is still lightning, the game should be frozen and re-played, if possible, according to the guidelines above (unless a regulation - completed - game can be called).

Modification: Should there be any disagreement between the two captains regarding any decisions or desires regarding suspension of play, 'calling' a game, or freezing a game, a neutral umpire or member of the exec committee should be sought and his or her ruling taken. If the matter cannot be resolved immediately, a protest should be lodged the situation should be decided by the full committee, as outlined in section 11.

Modification: On the postponement of a game through poor light or dangerous conditions, a trailing team (behind on runs) may elect to default, and therefore not require the game to be reconvened.

Modification: Time slots will be allowed in the League schedule for games which need to be reconvened. The OSA Committee will propose a date for games rescheduled because of rain. Captains must liaise for games stopped by poor light or dangerous conditions. If necessary the OSA Committee will liaise with the captains over finding a mutually agreeable date/time. Where necessary the OSA Committee has the power to specify a date for the game.

5.5 Procedures and conflicts regarding continuing 'frozen' games
If it proves impossible, due to time constraints across the season, to continue a frozen game, both captains may agree to allow the score to stand and for the result to count as a 'regulation game'. If one team is able to continue a frozen game on a date that has been officially timetabled for play, and the other team cannot, the game is forfeited by the latter team. The losing team is able to appeal this decision to the Committee, if it claims that there were exceptional circumstances. If both teams fail to resume the game by their own collective inactivity, the Committee may rule that the score at the time of freezing the game may stand, or the Committee may rule that the game is void, or should be scored as a 5-5 tie, depending on evidence of genuine attempts to arrange a date/time for the continuation of the game.

5.6 Forfeited Games
Modification: A forfeited game will be scored as 15-0.

Modification: See special rules (below) regarding games involving an officially designated 'scratch team'.

5.7 Mercy Rules
Modification: There is no mercy rule for same division games.

Modification: In inter-divisional games, the mercy rules is as follows: No plays will be started and the innings ended, after the 10th run is scored in inter-divisional games. However, the play that scores the 10th run will be allowed to conclude (giving a notional maximum of 13 runs per innings).

5.5 Infield-Fly Rule
The infield fly rule is to be used in league play.

5.6 Pitchers
Modification: Pitchers may elect to pitch from behind the pitching strip for reasons of safety. They must still pitch a legal pitch from within the diamond from a location that the umpire judges to be reasonable.


10 UMPIRES
10.1 Umpires
Modification: Umpires will be provided by the offensive team and will be either members of that team, volunteering members of other League teams or other neutral individuals. Teams should endeavour to field individuals who are on the list of accredited umpires held by the Exec Committee.

10.2 Uniform
Modification: Umpires are not required to wear a particular uniform, but must not wear a catching glove.

10.3 Base Umpires
Modification: No base umpires are required. However, if the offensive team use first and/or third base coaches, the plate umpire may choose to consult with these individuals regarding decisions where s/he was unsighted or unconfident of the result of a play.

10.4 Changing Umpires
Modification: Umpires may be changed during the course of the game.

10.5 Questioning Decisions
Modification: The interpretation or enforcing of rules may be questioned by the captain or vice-captain of either team.
Clarification: Judgement calls by the umpire (e.g. ball/strikes, force outs etc. etc.) may not be questioned.


11 PROTESTS
11.1 Poor Light and Unfit Field
Clarification: Protests relating to poor light or fitness of the field are dealt with elsewhere.

11.2 Games Played Under Protest
The exact nature of the protest must be made clear to the opposing captain at the time, and where possible the Chairman (or other Executive Committee member) consulted to clarify any rulings. If the issue cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties, the game is then played under protest. The nature of the protest must then be communicated to an elected committee member verbally on the same evening (and in writing within 5 days if requested by the Executive Committee).

11.3 Result of Protest
Result of Protest and any arising decisions/penalties will be determined by the full OSA Committee. The committee will take into consideration existing ISF guidelines.


12 SCORING
12.1 Official Scorer
There is no official scorer, and both teams shall keep scorebooks. Teams should endeavour to check that their scorebooks tally at the end of each half innings. Disagreements should be immediately resolved by the captains.

12.2 Recording Statistics
No fielding statistics are required but a best male and female fielder nomination is. The following batting statistics are to be recorded for each batter: AB, base reached on hit, walks, runs, home runs, fielder’s choice. Recording of additional statistics is encouraged, but not required.


13 Local Field Rules
13.1 Line Markings
Clarification: Where line markings are present, they are to be enforced. If lines are not marked, the umpire must make decisions based on his/her judgement.

League games will play ASA rules applying to the infield/outfield (CO-ED) line where this is marked (see section 2 for details).

All Diamonds: All diamonds are 275’+ apart hence any hit which, in the opinion of the umpire, lands in the infield of another diamond is a HR.

Diamond 4 (Far Right side)-These are: HR if a ball is hit without bouncing into the uneven long grass in LF, currently 275’ away. Base reached plus 1 when the ball rolls into the uncut grass. HR if the ball goes under the fence. No one may field a ball in the long grass, any ball caught in the long grass is a HR.


14 PROCEDURES FOR RAIN OFF POSTPONEMENTS
Procedures for stopping play during the game has been included elsewhere, this section deals with procedures for terminating play prior to the game starting time.

The OSA shall appoint a weatherman, and a deputy weatherman who are committee members. If a significant amount of rain is forecast, then the weatherman will liaise with team captains throughout the day. Based on forecast information, and taking into account the views of the team captains, the weatherman will decide if play is to be cancelled. All players should assume that play is to proceed unless they hear otherwise.

Teams are expected to play games in the designated rain-out sessions. If it proves impossible, due to time constraints across the season, to play a rained-off game, both captains must agree that the game is to be tied 5-5. If one team is able or willing play a rain-out game on one of the designated rain-out sessions, and the other team is not, the game is forfeited by the latter team. Similarly, if one team is ready to play and with 7 or more players (with at least 3 of both sexes) and the other team is not, the latter team forfeits the game. If both teams fail to replay the game by their own collective inactivity, the Committee may rule that one team forfeits the game, the game is void, or should be scored as a 5-5 tie, depending on evidence of genuine attempts to arrange a date/time for the rain out game.


15 TEAM COMMITMENTS
15.1 Statistics
Each team in the League must provide statistics as determined by the committee. Penalty for not complying may result in statistics not being included in determining end of season awards for teams and individuals.

The following stats are the minimum required to be included in the relevant awards.
AB, Hits, HR, FC and male and female best fielders for each game from each team.

For clarification

AB: is the amount of times a player goes to bat and does not walk.
Hits: is the amount of times the batter hit the ball and got to a base without getting out or forcing someone else to be out.
HR: is the amount of times a player makes it all the way round to home plate in one play.
FC: is fielder’s choice. The amount of times a player hits the ball but gets one of their team mates out on a forced play. This is regardless if the batter makes it to base without being out.


15.2 Proposing best fielders (field MVPs)
Captains or teams must vote for the best male and female fielder from each team at the end of every game. This, combined with batting stats, will determine the league's MVPs. Any team who fails to appoint (a) best fielder(s) for the opposition will have their stats for that week refused by the stats officer.

15.3 Return of trophies
Division/League winning trophies may not be kept by the winning team permanently. The winning team must return its trophy by the last competitive game of the season (not including rainouts). If a team fails to return the trophy, then none of that team's players will be considered for awards that year. If the trophy has been lost completely and last year's winners discover this and pay for its replacement before the last competitive game of the season, then this penalty (no awards for that team's players) will not apply.

Information and Frequently Asked Questions

Information

1. Recommendation from BSF- Head Injuries
The BSF strongly recommends that all players who sustain head injuries, no matter how trivial they might seem, are taken to Accident and Emergency for examination.

2. All head injuries and any other serious injuries should be reported using the Accident Report Form to be found in the captains pack or downloaded from the BSUK web site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fielding Restrictions
A full team of 10 must have 2 men & 2 women in the outfield, 2 men & 2 women for bases+short-stop, leaving 1 man & 1 woman for pitcher/catcher.
Women can play as men, men cannot play as women.

Fair / Foul / Dead Ball
Definition of a fair hit
Outfield hit: A ball passing 1st/3rd base in the air must make its first bounce in fair territory
Bouncing hit: A ball that bounces in the infield must pass in fair territory, or stop in fair territory. (N.B. This does not necessarily mean that the ball must take its first bounce in fair territory! It may bounce foul, and then roll back into fair before stopping or passing 1st/3rd).

1st base (white portion), 3rd base and the home plate are part of fair territory.

Umpires should "call" foul balls, but not make calls for fair balls.

A batted fly ball may be caught in foul territory, and the play remains live.
A batted fly ball caught in dead ball territory is charged as a foul, and is not a catch.

A thrown/carried ball passing into foul territory is still live.
A thrown/carried ball passing into dead ball territory is dead. Runners are awarded the base they were advancing to (at the time of the throw), and one more.

Pitching
The pitcher should only pitch once the batter is ready (this usually means in the batters box, in their stance and looking at the pitcher).

The pitcher must keep one foot on the pitching strip from start to release (otherwise the pitch is illegal and charged as a ball).

Illegal pitches (including balls arcing over 12 feet or under 6 feet) should be called by the umpire as soon as possible i.e. before the ball reaches the batter. The umpire may also call a pitch illegal is it is considered to be too fast (although this is rare). Balls and strikes are called after the ball has passed the batter.

Any pitch hitting home plate is a ball.

Catcher
The catcher is required to wear a face mask, but may discard this during the course of play. When discarding the face mask after a hit, catchers are reminded that umpires usually make their way into the infield to the catcher’s left-hand side!

Batting
The batter must start with both feet within or on the lines of the batting box

The batter may not deliberately bunt or chop (hit the ball with no swing or hit the ball straight into the ground) - if they do, they are out.
A pitch bouncing before reaching the plate is called a ball even if the batter swings (unless the swing is before the bounce).
When hitting the ball, if the batter has a foot completely outside of the box (or touching home plate), they are out. A foot is allowed to be partially outside of the box.
If a batted ball is caught behind by the catcher, it is only an out if the ball has travelled above the batters head height from the bat (otherwise it is a “foul tip” and counts as a strike).

Women walk to 1st, Men walk to 2nd.
If there are two outs and a man is walked, the next batter (a woman) has the choice of batting or taking an automatic walk.

Batters throwing the bat behind them in a dangerous manner will be warned or called out by the umpire.
Home plate is in fair territory
If a batted ball hits home plate, the ball is still considered alive and he hit is FAIR, unless the ball rolls or bounces into foul territory without first being picked up by a fielder. For example if the ball hits home plate and rolls forward, it is fair. If it hits and remains on home plate it is still fair: the catcher can pick up the ball and play it.

Infield Fly
We now play this rule in full. It is a rule to stop the fielding team gaining an advantage by faking a dropped catch (e.g. drop a simple catch to then make a double play).

Under relevant situations, the umpire calls the batter out before the ball is caught and the play is still live. The runners may advance, after the ball has been touched by a fielder or hit the ground, like any other catch or near catch situation.
From the ISF rules.
Sec. 56. INFIELD FLY.
An Infield Fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second, or first, second, and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder that positions himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.

NOTE: When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire shall immediately declare, "INFIELD FLY, IF FAIR-THE BATTER IS OUT," for the benefit of the runners. The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared infield fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared infield fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an infield fly.”

Some may find the last sentence confusing. However, please read the "Fair / Foul / Dead Ball" FAQ. A struck ball that lands foul before reaching 1st or 3rd bases, but which then bounces in to the infield before passing those bases is FAIR."


Base Running
Runners may not leave their base until the ball it hit. If they do so it is an automatic out.

Runners may risk advancing after a catch if they touch their original base after the catch is made. If they leave before the catch, then the play is a forced play to the original base.

The base runner is not allowed to deviate more than 1 metre either side of a reasonable running line to avoid a tag.

If a fielder unreasonably gets in the way of a base runner (i.e. they are not holding the ball), the ball remains live (unless the obstructed runner is out). On conclusion of the play, the umpire makes any corrections to outs/base runners locations that he considers would represent the situation if the obstruction had not occurred.

If a batter gets in the way of a fielder (Interference), the batter is out.

If a runner is hit by a batted ball (when a fielder excluding the pitcher has not had the chance to make a play) they are out unless they are touching a base.

Changing Offence/Defence, and On Deck Batters
It is appreciated that organising a team and substituting players can take time between innings. However, teams at bat are expected to have the correct batter, on-deck batter and umpire ready in a timely fashion.
Players taking/leaving the field are expected to jog on/off the pitch, and have the correct/legal fielding team ready to play in a similarly timely fashion.

Substituting Players/Batting Line-up
We have now adopted standard ISF rules on substitution, and we are using EPs.

Substitution may take place at any time, as long as the umpire and opposing captain are informed.

There should be a maximum of 5 men and 5 women in the batting order at any one time, and it is only these people who field for that innings
OR
There should be a maximum of 6 men and 6 women in the batting order at any one time, and 5-5 are selected to field each innings.

Any starting player may be withdrawn and re-enter the game once (in the same place in the batting order). The substitute and the starter are therefore mutually exclusive players, and the substitute cannot enter the game a second time (either for the same or different player). The only exception to this is a blood (or other serious) injury.

Changes to the umpire should be clearly announced to both teams.

Mercy Rule
There is no mercy rule for same division games.
The “10 run” mercy rule will be in effect only for games where a division 1 team play a division 2 team.