Rule Book
2017
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Updated: March 2017
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ADULT SOFTBALL SLO-PITCH RULES
The SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL ATHLETIC FEDERATION softball rules will
serve as governing rules for situations not covered by the City Fontana’s Community
Services Department Adult Slo-Pitch Softball League rules. The City’s league rules take
precedent over SCMAF rules.
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LEAGUE FEES:
League Fees are $ 412.00 per team.
A $2.00 processing fee will also be included with the League Fees.
A Forfeit Fee of $60.00 is included in this fee. Teams that do not forfeit a game will
be refunded the $60 at the conclusion of the season.
o League Fees are to be paid to the City of Fontana by the 3rd game of the season,
No Exceptions!
o If League Fees are not paid by the 3rd game of the season, all games will be
forfeited until League Fees are paid.
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Each team is required to pay $12.00 cash fee to umpire prior to game.
Any team unable to provide umpire fee prior to game time will be considered a forfeit.
All team registration fees are due in full, at the time of team registration.
2. CANCELED GAME INFORMATION:
 In case of inclement weather, teams are to report to the ball field for their regularly
scheduled game, unless managers are instructed otherwise. It is the responsibility
of each manager to call the Sports Hotline at (909) 428-8864, two hours prior to
game time for information regarding possible game postponement.
o Staff will attempt to contact all managers if there is a cancellation.
o Managers must also check their email following rainy days, in the event
that fields are unplayable. If fields are unplayable the league coordinator
will notify all teams via email, text, and/or phone call.
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In case of canceled games due to rain or wet fields, all games will resume the
following week as originally scheduled. All canceled games will be made up at the
conclusion of the season if necessary for playoffs.
3. LINE-UP CARDS:
 One Line-up card is to be provided to the official five minutes prior to scheduled
game time. Do not list anyone on the Line-up card who is not currently present.
When the player does arrive he/she will be placed at the end of the line-up. Play
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shall not begin until both team line-ups have been filled out completely (first and last
names) and received by the Umpire. Line-Up will also serve as team batting order.
NOTE* If the Line-Up card is not turned in on the day of games, those games will be
void for playoff eligibility.
4. ROSTERS:
 Each team must submit a complete roster with a maximum of 15 players (18 Coed),
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A completed Voluntary Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement
(VRLARA) form must be submitted with complete roster every season.
o Every player must fill out all information on the V.R.L.A.R.A. every season to
be considered an eligible athlete.
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Prior to their first league game. League roster must be completed on official roster
forms supplied by the Community Services Department and be signed by each
player with a date of birth shown on the document. All participants must be 18 years
of age or older.
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Any roster changes must be made prior to the 3 rd league game. There will be no
roster changes after the third (3rd) game of league play. Players dropped from a
team’s roster may not be re-added to that or any others team’s roster in the same
league for the remainder of that league season. A player may not be carried on more
than 1 roster per league.
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To qualify for playoffs all players must be on roster and have played a minimum of
Three (3) games during the season.
5. HARDSHIP RULE:
 Teams whose roster number drops to 11 or less players may be allowed to add
players to a maximum 13 players of. A request for a hardship must be submitted to
program staff for approval. Cases of hardship include, but are not limited to-- work
schedule changes, change of residence and/or injury/medical disability. The
Hardship Rule will apply only during the course of the regular season and after the
third league game once the team roster has become final. Managers may utilize this
procedure only once per season. NO HARDSHIP AFTER THE 8TH GAME, NO
EXCEPTIONS.
6. PLAYER CARDS:
 All players will be required to obtain a City of Fontana Adult Softball League player
card.
 Players will not be allowed to play without their player card. NO EXCEPTIONS
 Please visit the one of the following locations for processing:
o Don Day Center (Located at Southridge Park)
 Please call for hours: 909-349-6997
o City of Fontana Community Services Department - Main Office
 16860 Valencia Avenue, Fontana CA 92335
 Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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Valid picture Identification and a completed a Release of Liability Form will both be
required to request a Player Card.
All players must submit player cards to the Staff prior to start of each game.
Player Cards will not be returned for any players ejected during game.
League Coordinator will return card for ejected player when player has been
reinstated.
The Player Card is property of the City of Fontana. Privileges may be revoked or
suspended due to misconduct.
Player card reprints are subject to Program Coordinator Approval. Please contact
the Sports Office @ (909) 428-8864
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7. UNIFORMS:
 Uniforms are optional. NO METAL CLEATS ALLOWED. Any player wearing metal
cleats will automatically become ineligible.
8. GAME TIME/GRACE PERIOD:
 A 15 minute grace period shall be allowed for each game. However the game clock
shall begin at the scheduled game time.
9. MINIMUM PLAYERS:
 No team shall start or continue a game with less than 8 players.
10. BORROWED PLAYERS:
 Teams may borrow up to 3 players for a game if the following conditions are met:
o 5 rostered players are present
o A team using borrowed players cannot play with more than 8 players
o The team requesting to borrow players must inform staff prior to game
o Teams will not be allowed to solicit borrowed players
o As rostered players arrive, borrowed players will be removed from the team
11. MERCY RULES:
 If, at the end of the fifth complete inning, if either team is ahead by 15 runs or more
the game will be complete and ended by the umpire. The team ahead by the 15
runs will be declared the winner. Should the home team, while at bat in the bottom
of the fifth inning, become 15 runs ahead of their opponents the game shall be ended
and the home team declared the winner.
12. EQUIPMENT:
 The Community Services Department will supply 1 new game ball at the start of
each game. Each game ball that is provided will be a Dudley Thunder SY Cor .40.
The home team will supply an adequate back-up ball (as determined by the umpire).
If the home team is unable to provide a ball, the visiting team will provide one. THE
TEAM PROVIDING THE BACK-UP BALL WILL RECEIVE THE “GAME BALL”
SUPPLIED BY THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO BEGIN THE
GAME.
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Teams must supply their own equipment.
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League bats are provided for each team to use every game. League bats will be the
2016 Mizuno Mamba Balanced ASA & 2016 DeMarini SF8 ASA/USSA. Teams
cannot use their own bats.
Pre-game inspection of team equipment, by the umpire, may take place at any time.
Any & all equipment judged illegal by the umpire and/or staff person(s) will not be
permitted for use in the game. Any player using illegal equipment will be called out
for the first offense-the equipment (bat, usually) must be sent out of the dugout to a
spectator.
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13. ONE & ONE COUNT RULE:
 Each batter will start the at bat with a one ball and one strike count.
14. TWO FOUL BALL RULE:
 The batter is out and the ball is dead when a batter with two strikes hits two foul
balls.
15. COURTESY RUNNERS:
 Courtesy runners shall be any player from the team. There is no limit of courtesy
runners allowed. If a courtesy runner is up to bat and is currently on base, that
courtesy runners’ at bat is considered an out.
16. PITCHER’S BOX:
 A pitcher’s box is used that extends 8 feet behind the rubber, 1 foot in front of the
rubber, 1 foot on each side of the rubber, and 3 feet (imaginary) above the pitcher’s
head. Any ball hit inside the box and beyond the rubber will result in an automatic
out and will be declared a dead ball. All runners go back to the base at which they
started. If the ball hits the ground before the rubber, the ball is live and in play.
17. FIRST BASE RULE:
 Any batter running to first base, and there is a play at first base, the batter running
must touch the outside bag (orange portion on the double base at first).
18. STRIKE ZONE:
 The strike zone will be as follows:
o The ball must arc higher than the batter’s head.
o The ball must not exceed a height of 15 feet above the ground.
o The ball must land on home plate or the extension behind home plate to be
considered a strike.
o The pitcher may pitch anywhere within the pitching area.
19. ROLL OUT RULE:
 The play shall be ruled dead when a batted ball rolls through the outfield and into
the parking lot areas. Base runners shall be awarded the next two bases.
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20. COMMUNICATION WITH UMPIRE:
 Only the Team Manager is to communicate with the Umpire. All issues should be
conveyed to the Umpire through the team Manager. Anyone else attempting
communication with the Umpire will be considered harassment. No Spectators are
allowed to communicate, harass, badger or heckle the Umpire in any way
whatsoever. Umpires may exercise suitable penalty, ranging from warnings, ejection
and under extreme circumstances, up to and including declaring forfeiture of a game
by the violating team. NOTE** The umpire is in complete charge of the game. All
grievances, appeals, and protests shall be communicated by ONLY the team
manager in an appropriate manner. The umpire is the official score/time keeper.
21. PLAYER CONDUCT:
 Unsportsmanlike conduct, visible displays of temper, threats or physical altercations
directed toward other team players, umpires, scorekeepers or staff will not be
tolerated. This includes Bat Throwing. BAT THROWING WILL NOT BE
TOLERATED. Any player seen mistreating City of Fontana Adult Softball league
equipment will be ejected from the game. No exceptions!
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Any player(s) guilty of such actions will be subjected to ejection from the game
and/or banishment from the league. Players may be ejected from play and directed
to leave the park site by the umpire or staff.
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Any player(s) ejected from a game must leave the playing area and IMMEDIATELY
EXIT TO THE NEAREST PARKING AREA. If a player(s) does not comply, their
team is subject to forfeit. Also, that player(s) will be subjected to further disciplinary
action as deemed appropriate by the league coordinator.
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There will be NO DRINKING OF ALCOHOL OR USE OF DRUGS prior to, during or
following any league game at the game site. (Any signs of alcohol or drug
consumption before, during and or after game will result in disqualification.) Any
alcohol found in dug out result will be in automatic forfeit.
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ANY PLAYER EJECTED TWICE DURING ONE SEASON WILL BE REMOVED
FROM THE LEAGUE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.
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These rules of conduct apply to managers, coaches, and players. Managers will be
responsible for team supporters and spectators in attendance.
22. AWARDS:
 Shirts will be awarded to the 1st place team from each division/league.
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All unclaimed awards will become property of the Community Services Department
after 30 days after league play ends.
23. SCHEDULES & STANDINGS:
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League schedules are posted
teamsideline.com/fontana.
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Each season will consist of 10 regular season games and conclude with playoffs.
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Teams with the best overall record throughout the season will be considered for playoffs
at
the
start
of
each
season
online
at
o Note - All 10 regular season games will count towards teams record
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At the end of each season, playoffs will begin the following week for those teams that
qualify.
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The number of teams who make playoffs each season will vary depending on how many
teams are registered in the league.
o If the league/division has 4 or 5 teams, top 3 teams will make playoffs.
 #2 seed vs #3 seed
 #1 seed vs G1 winner
o In the case that the league/division has 6 or 7 teams, top 4 teams will make
playoffs.
 #1 seed vs #4 seed
 #2 seed vs #3 seed
 G1 winner vs G2 winner
o If the league has 8 or more teams, then the league will be broken up into two
separate divisions (Uppers & Lowers).
 8 teams – 4 Upper teams & 4 Lower teams
 9 teams – 5 Upper teams (Div. 1) & 4 Lower teams (Div. 2) or Vice Versa
 10 teams – 5 Upper teams (Div. 1) & 5 Lower Teams (Div. 2)
 Note – When it comes to playoffs, if there are two separate
divisions within a league, the number of teams that will make
playoffs will be based off of how many teams are in each division
rather than the entire league.
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Results of each game as well as current league standings will be updated and posted
online at teamsideline.com/fontana. It is the team manager’s responsibility to
frequently check the league schedules, standings, and scores, as well as any
discrepancies with those schedules, standings, and scores to notify an on-site staff
member to address the issue.
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24. LOST & FOUND:
All unclaimed items that are found at the end of the night will be held to the following
week inside the snack bar located near the ball fields.
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25. PROTESTS:
There will be no protests.
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NOTES & INFROMATION
Any questions concerning ground rules, league rules, program policies or procedures
please call Nick Johnson, Community Services Coordinator at (909) 349-6919 or via e-mail
at [email protected] Please make the sports office your first contact.
CO-ED SOFTBALL RULES
1. RULES:
All rules of men’s league will govern the co-ed league in addition to the following rules.
2. MINIMUM PLAYERS:
 A defensive team shall consist of ten (10) players, with a maximum of five (5) men and
five (5) women in the game defensively at all times. However, a game may be played
without forfeit with eight (8) roster players with no more than five (5) of either gender.
(Example: 3 women – 5 men; or 5 women – 3 men) Substitutes must be listed at the
bottom. Substitutions or courtesy runners must be of the same gender as individual
being replaced.
3. BATTING ORDER:
 A batting order must be submitted on provided line-up cards prior to the game and
followed during the game. The batting order may not exceed eighteen, and must list
men and women alternately such that two batters of the same gender do not bat
consecutively.
4. COURTESY RUNNERS:
 Courtesy runners shall be the last recorded out made by the player of the same gender.
If no player of the same gender has recorded an out, the player of the same gender
listed last in the batting order shall be the courtesy runner.
5. DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
 There will be no restrictions on a player (man or woman) as to which defensive position
he or she may play.
6. OUTFIELDERS:
 A minimum of three (3) outfielders must be behind an outfield restriction line (160 foot
arc from home plate) when the batter hits the pitch. The roving outfielder may play
within the 160 foot arc and can be of either gender.
7. BASE ON BALLS:
 A male batter who is walked on three (3) consecutive balls shall be awarded second
base. Base runners advance only if forced to vacate the bases occupied.
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NOTE: The female batter that follows a male batter that has walked on 3 pitches must
take her at bat.
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8. HARDSHIP RULE:
 Teams whose roster drops to five of either gender may apply for a hardship. A team
may apply for a hardship only once during the season and may add players to a
maximum of six player of either gender. A request for a hardship must be submitted
to program staff for approval. Cases of hardship include but are not limited to work
schedule changes, change of residence and injury or medical disability. The
Hardship Rule will apply only during the course of the regular season and after the
third league game once the team roster has become final. Managers may utilize this
procedure only once per season. NO HARDSHIP AFTER THE 8TH GAME, NO
EXCEPTIONS.
GENERAL PARK POLICES
1.
NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
2.
NO DOGS
3.
PARKS CLOSE AT 10:00 P.M. Lights must be turned off at this time. Ball field use must
be terminated by 10:00 P.M. as per City Code, unless granted a special permit by the
Community Services Director. (NO EXCEPTIONS)
4.
No vehicles are allowed on the Park Grounds, except in designated parking areas and an
A.T.V. vehicle used to drag fields. VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO CITATION.
5.
Trash and litter must be picked up and fields left in clean and orderly state. Please report
any vandalism, criminal offenses, or disturbances to the Community Services Department
Office at (909) 350-6540 or the Fontana Police Department at 350-7700. Your help is
appreciated in preserving the Fontana tradition of clean parks and quality playing fields.
6.
No advertising signs shall appear on City property unless approved by the City (see item
N. MODIFICATIONS TO ATHLETIC FIELDS)
7.
NO PESTICIDES (Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc.) may be applied without prior
written consent of the City. This consent must be accompanied by a Pest Control Advisors
Report. All work must be performed by a licensed Pest Control Applicator.
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Sports Office Hours
Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sports Office Phone Number
(909) 428-8864
Community Services Office Address
16860 Valencia Ave
Fontana, CA 92335
Community Services Office Hours
M – F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Community Services Office Phone Number
(909) 349-6900
Adult Softball Program Staff
Community Services Supervisor:
Geneo Farrar
Community Services Coordinator II:
Nick Johnson
Sr. Community Service Assistant:
Jesse Cervantes
Community Service Assistant:
Zachary Ferguson
Make the Sports Office your first call.
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