In the case of lightning, there will be a mandatory fifteen minute delay following a lighting strike in the area. The game time limit will be paused during any such delay. There will be a MAXIMUM of three lightning delays allowed during any game, meaning there is a maximum of a 45 minute delay. If the game is not resumed within 45 minutes, the game will be postponed and follow the rules of a completed game as stated in section 5.21
The home team must contact by email the visitor within 7 days of the rainout and offer two dates. The visiting team must respond within nine (9) days of the rainout to the two (2) dates offered. Even with conflicts the game must be rescheduled within fourteen (14) days of the rainout. That does not mean played within fourteen (14) days just rescheduled for a later date. If neither team initiates a reschedule within the fourteen (14) day time frame, the game will go down as FORFEIT for both teams. A forfeit shall be recorded with a score of 7-0.
If one (1) team is at fault for the game not being re-scheduled in the two (2) week period, that team will receive the forfeit. This will be determined by email dates and times. A forfeit shall be recorded with a score of 7-0.
Whenever a game is played on a diamond with distance between bases is less than ninety (90) feet, the coaches boxes at first and third base shall be moved in towards home plate so to be in the same relative position with first and third base as on a regulation ninety (90) foot diamond.
Protesting
Umpires will work to settle all situations on the field. A protest can be made ONLY on pitching violations, rule interpretations/violations or player eligibility. No protest can be accepted when it involves a question of an umpire's judgment.
The Protest fee is $100.00 cash. The fee shall be returned only if the protest is upheld.
All protests will be reported to the SLWAA board in a timely manner. The protest committee's rulings are final and there is no appeal.
The protest committee for baseball shall be chaired by the current SLWAA Umpire-In-Chief of Baseball and consist of the current SLWAA baseball Commissioner(s); the protest committee for softball shall be chaired by the current SLWAA Umpire-In-Chief of Softball and consist of the current SLWAA softball Commissioner(s).
Each protest must be submitted in writing and received by the SLWAA Commissioner, signed by the manager making the protest, within seventy-two (72) hours after the completion of the game, and accompanied by a protest fee of $100.00. In the event the protest is disallowed, the fee shall not be refunded. In the event the protest is upheld, the fee shall be refunded.
Whenever an alleged violation of a PLAYING RULE occurs during the progress of an official game during the regular season, or an official rescheduled game, the manager or a duly registered coach of the protesting team must call TIME and IMMEDIATELY notify the Umpire-In-Chief and the manager of the opposing team that the game is being continued "under protest". At this time, both managers and the Umpire-In-Chief must initial both scorebooks, noting where in the game the protest occurred. The protesting manager must send a photocopy of their scorebook page of the game under protest along with their letter of protest to the SLWAA Commissioner. Failure of the protesting manager to comply EXACTLY with this section will nullify and render void any future protest regarding the alleged violation of playing rules referred to herein.
In the event the protest referred to herein is withdrawn, and the Umpire-in-Chief is so informed by the protesting manager or coach making the original complaint on the field, there shall be no protest and such action will nullify and render void any future protest regarding the alleged violation of the rules referred to herein. The Umpire-in-Chief initials the score book at the point in the game where the protest is withdrawn.
If, however, the protest is not withdrawn as described herein, it shall then become the obligation of ALL umpires working the game to submit, in writing, a detailed letter describing the situation(s) leading up to the point in the game where the protest occurred within twenty-four (24) hours after the game and immediately send it to the appropriate SLWAA Commissioner. It shall also become the obligation of the opposing manager to file a written report of the incident causing the protest with the SLWAA Commissioner within seventy-two (72) hours following the end of the game in which the alleged violation of the rules occurred.
The protest committee, upon receiving the protest and written reports referred to in Sec. 7 herein, shall render its decision at the next regularly scheduled protest meeting.
Sportsmanship & Acts of Disbarment
All players and coaches will be expected to behave in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.
Any player, coach, or parent / fan whose conduct is unbecoming or abusive will, at minimum, be warned and may be removed from the playing field and/or stands at the discretion of the park administrators, tournament officials and/or umpires. At team may be forced to forfeit, if necessary.
Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Cursing, throwing equipment and coaches making a call prior to an umpires call will be an automatic ejection.
