2008 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MEN’S FAST PITCH LEAGUE 
 

CONSTITUTION 
 

Article 1

The Southern California Men’s Fast Pitch Independent League is an organization of franchised fast pitch softball teams and will be referred to as the SCIFL.  Teams in the league will be sanctioned by the North American Fast pitch Association (NAFA).  If any rule or article is not addressed in this constitution, we will refer to the rules that have been adopted by NAFA.  

The league will consist of approximately 8 – 9 tournament weekends in an open format to allow guest teams to participate.  Each tournament will consist of 3 – 4 game guarantees for the weekend.  For three game weekends, the NAFA approved 3-game bracket will be used.  The four game weekends will consist of a three game round robin that will seed the teams into the appropriate single elimination bracket.   

Teams will be classified for play using NAFA classification terminology and each team will have the opportunity to appeal their classification if necessary.  The “A” Division will play amongst themselves and the A-Major teams and above will play against each other.  “A” teams will have the option to play in the higher division if they choose.  All points earned for that particular weekend will remain in the division that the teams played in.  NOTE: Teams that play above their classification can be re-classified based on their performance. 

After each weekend, standings will be kept based on a point system for each division. At the end of the season a team will be crowned league champion for each division of play. A team may enter as many league weekends as they wish.  
 

Article 2     Objective

The primary objective of the managers, players and the league is to promote the game of fast pitch softball in the Southern and Central California area. To achieve this, the league will:

1) Promote and regulate fast pitch softball through cooperation, understanding, and friendship amongst team members.

2) Maintain a board of directors which will be voted on by the managers.

Fred Hanker has been elected commissioner. The commissioner and his staff will be in place to regulate and institute the constitution and the rules of this league.

3) Actively cooperate with local and national fast pitch organizations.

4) Maintain a non- profit identity with all revenues going into a pre-designed league account to be used for league expenses.

5) Display the highest levels of competition and sportsmanship

6) Maintain a good relationship with park staff. 
 

Article 3  Organization

The league will be governed by a board of directors.  To carry out the best interests of the league, the following positions will be established: 
 

Commissioner - Fred Hanker

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Preside over and take notes at all meetings
• Supervise the performance of other board members
• For voting on policies, have the final vote for any ties
• Be empowered to make a ruling on any situation not covered in the league rules or constitution

The commissioner will also help in creating the tournament schedule.  He will over see the financial matters of the league and give detailed reports of all the leagues finances when needed. He is also responsible for league promotion and helping maintain the league website. 

Vice-Commissioner * - Lou Enriquez

Duties include, but not limited to:

• acts in place of the commissioner’s absence and is empowered to make all decisions when the commissioner is unavailable
• Act as the right hand man for the commissioner and also have input in schedule making and rules
• Responsible for collecting tournament entry fees and getting it to the commissioner
• Help assign and pay scorekeepers if they are used on a weekend  

A Division Supervisor * - David Carrillo 

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Oversee the “A” division
• Report to the commissioner items that can be done to improve the league
• Work with the Commissioner and Tournament Supervisor to ensure the tournament is running accordingly
• Provide input to the Classification Committee

Umpire-in-Chief * - Clyde Bennett   

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Secure umpires for each tournament
• Select an umpire to be tournament crew chief
• On tournament day he is responsible for any umpire issues including paying umpires and umpire assignments

Player Representative / League Journalist * - Ron Rupp

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Is a player in the league that brings concerns from the players to the board of directors
• Responsible for player conduct and reporting to the board of directors on player discipline issues
• As a league journalist, Ron will be in charge of league promotions and articles.

Player Representative * - Fernando Ramirez, Sr.

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Is a player in the league that brings concerns from the players to the board of directors
• Responsible for player conduct and reporting to the board of directors on player discipline issues

Tournament Supervisor * - Robert Hernandez

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Responsible for league weekend organization and overseeing the weekend
• Insure the fields are ready, teams present, rosters turned in
• Will insure that umpires and scorekeepers are paid
• Update schedules and scores are correct
• Move games and teams to insure tournament runs efficiently
• Work with the commissioner on solving any concerns that arise

*These six positions will make up the board of directors and will vote on any matters that need to be voted on. The Commissioner will be the deciding vote in the event of any ties.  A majority will be needed to pass any rule, article or agendum. This group will also act together in organization of each league weekend. 
 

Classification Committee

The classification committee will consist of Robert Hernandez, Clyde Bennett and Lou Enriquez. They will be responsible for classifying all teams, players and pitchers that play in the SCIFL.  
 

Article 4 - League Meetings

League meetings shall be conducted on a semi-regular basis at a location so designated by the commissioner. If the manager cannot attend a meeting they shall give prior notice. Anyone associated with the league is permitted to attend. 
 

Article 5 - Banishment

Banishment from the league may occur when any of the incidents occur by any player, manager, owner or anyone involved in the league.

• Misappropriation of league funds
• Falsifying records or any documents related to the league
• Physical abuse to an umpire, player, league official, manager, owner prior to, during or after any league game.
• Verbal abuse to an umpire, player, league official, manager or owner prior to, during or after any league game may not result in removal from the league, but result in a possible suspension.

 
 

Article 6 - Player Eligibility

Each player will be responsible for signing a roster for one team only. You may only play for one (1) team and in any of the divisions.

• Any player wishing to change teams must clear it with the board of directors.
• Any player playing illegally on a team will result in forfeit of the game and that player suspended for one (1) league weekend
• We will strictly adhere to the California NAFA pitchers list which will be updated on a regular basis
• In the A-Major division and above – pitching limitations will be determined by January 2008
• The A-Major division and above allows for players at any level to play, there are no player restrictions. However teams will be notified of their classification once their roster has been turned in.
• All rosters must be turned in before the season begins. Any additions or deletions to your roster must be made as soon as possible and sent to the commissioner. This can be done by email or phone call to the commissioner. Please also turn in a roster for each league weekend.
• Guest teams are required to submit a roster prior to play to determine the appropriate classification. The A Major division allows for players at any level to play, there are no player restrictions. The A division will allow for three (3) A Major players and the rest must be A players. The A Major and A divisions will strictly adhere to the pitchers list and current SCIFL guidelines.
• There are no age restrictions, however, minors must have parents signature on the roster
• Each team will be allowed a maximum of eighteen (18) players on a roster.

 
 

Article 7 - Uniforms

Each team shall be required to attempt the following:

• Players make an effort to wear the same type of uniforms
• Uniforms must be somewhat alike in color and design
• Each player should have a unique number
• Hats shall be worn at all times, by all players on the field

 
 

Article 8 - Equipment 
The NAFA approved equipment list should be used at all times. In addition, the following guidelines shall be used:

• Bats on the banned list shall not be used.  Use of an illegal bat will result in the batter being called out and ejected from the game. If you are unsure of a bat ask before the game begins.
• NOCSAE double-ear helmets will be required at all times for both batters and runners
• Catchers will always use a mask
• Pine tar will not be used on the ball by a pitcher. If caught, it will result in ejection from the game.

 
 

Article 9 - Scorekeeping   

The league will provide official scorekeepers for each tournament who will keep the official score of the game. The score they report is final.   
 

Article 10 - League Play    

All weekend schedules will be available by Wednesday the week of the tournament. If your team must drop out of a tournament, please notify the Tournament Supervisor as soon as possible. Late or no notification is subject to weekend fee’s.  The following will apply to league weekends:   

• All money and rosters are due before your first game. The fee will be $375.00 or otherwise specified.   Checks should be payable to SCIFL.
• When paying on the day of the tournament, please do it promptly in cash as the umpires and scorekeepers must be paid
• The league will open a league account with a financial record available to managers after each league weekend
• Guest teams traveling the farthest will get later times, if needed
• Please be ready to play a minimum of 30 minutes before your scheduled game time
• Lineup cards will be submitted to the scorekeeper fifteen (15) minutes before each game and to the umpire at home plate
• Tournament Supervisor reserves the right to move or shorten games and change the schedule if necessary
• Designate one (1) person (manager, captain or a player) to speak to communicate with the umpires or commissioners
• All efforts will be made to make sure you play each team throughout the year.

Game Day   

• Coin toss will determine home team unless otherwise already designated.
• Time limit is 1 hour and 30 minutes (except championship game)
• Ten (10) minute grace time for first games on Saturday only. Game time is forfeit time.  Tournament Supervisor reserves the right to extend or grant time for unique circumstances.
• International tiebreaker is in effect for all games
• Run Rule:    15 after 3 innings   7 after 5 innings
• You may use any or all of the following in the line-up:
   

1. Designated Runner- The DR must be clearly marked on the lineup card.  The DR can enter the game defensively or as a hitter, however, you will lose the DR position for the remainder of the game. The DR can only be used once per inning.
2. Designated Player – The DP must be marked on the lineup card and hits for any player that is playing defense only. The DP can enter the game defensively only for the Flex player.
3. Extra Hitter – The EH is a extra hitter in the lineup.  The EH can enter defensively at any point in the game.
4. Flex – Is usually reserved for the pitcher and can only play defense. The Flex does not hit but can enter the game anywhere defensively.
5. Courtesy Runner – Can be used for the pitcher, catcher or an injured player only.  The courtesy Runner must be the last recorded out, or with the permission of the other team any other player.
 

• Protests will be limited to player eligibility and a misinterpretation of a rule. A $50 protest fee cash only. Chief of Umpire and Tournament Supervisor will rule on protest.  If the protest is upheld, the protest fee will be returned to the team.
• Ejections- Players ejected will not be allowed to participate in the game of the ejection and the teams next game
• Keep the on-deck area clear of bats and helmets
• Keep your dugouts clean
• 5 warm- up pitches per inning 
   

Other General Rules

• All games will be played in accordance with the most current rules adopted by NAFA
• All games will be 7 innings, unless the run rule or time limit is invoked
• Any player ejected will leave the playing field and dugout area
• Smoking is not permitted on the playing field
• Alcohol may not be consumed in the dugouts during the game
• Any equipment thrown may result in a warning or an ejection
   

Article 11 - Player Conduct   

Each player, manager, and umpire is responsible for acting in a professional manner on and off the field. Please adhere whenever possible to the following guidelines:  

• Be on time
• Watch your language
• Address your fellow players and umpires with respect
• Hustle at all times
• Wear the proper uniform
• Show good sportsmanship
• Play hard 

We must remember that all of us represent the league, our teams, our families and fast pitch softball and we have an obligation to conduct ourselves in a professional manner at all times.    

Article 12 - League Awards and Prizes

At the end of the season it is my hope that the 1st and 2nd place teams will receive financial awards to use towards the NAFA World Series.  Eligible teams may collect the award prior to, during, or after the World Series, but are responsible to arrange pick-up of the award.  If there are sufficient funds, it is my hope to provide the eligible teams additional funds in the form of a bonus for attending the NAFA World Series.  The bonus will be paid upon return from the World Series.  Resources permitting, the league aims to have team and player awards at the end of each tournament.   

Article 13 - Team and Player Involvement    

This being a new league it is very important that everyone be involved in helping out in anyway possible. In order for this to work all players and teams must work together as a group to do their share. We cannot put the responsibility on just the board of directors as they are only spokesman representing everyone in the league.