1. League Purpose
To allow men to play softball, and while doing so, glorify God, be a testimony to those who are present, provide an opportunity for Christian fellowship and an avenue through which souls can be saved.
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2.League Organization
   2.1 League Council
A league council shall govern the league. The league council shall consist of one representative from each team that is a member of the league. No Council meeting shall be considered official unless a majority of the council members (or designated alternates) are present. Majority rules on all motions.
   2.2 Board of Commissioners
The League Council will elect a Chief Operating Officer from its membership to aid the governing of the league. The C.O.O. will then select up to four men to serve on the Board of Commissioners along with the Commissioner of Umpires to aid in the governing of the league. The C.O.O. shall be elected to serve one year, by majority vote. The Board of Commissioners shall not vote except in case of a tie.
   2.3 Rosters
There shall be a maximum of 22 players on each teams roster. Each team must submit a roster to the Board of Commissioner either in person, by mail or by e-mail no later than one week prior to the start of the season and by the Monday night before the playoffs start for the playoff rosters.
   2.4 Player Eligibility
In an effort to make sure the participating team is truly a representative of the church they are playing for, the following requirements are necessary:
      1. The player must have previously attended a minimum of two regularly scheduled services, of the church for which he is playing for, per month. This is to encourage a greater understanding of the scriptures, Christian fellowship, and evangelism.
      2. He must continue to maintain this standard throughout the season.
      3. The minimum age for playing is 16 years old by July 31.
      4. The following exceptions are allowed:
            A. If a team would be unable to field enough players (8) to begin the game, they would be allowed to “borrow” players.
            B. If a team incurs an injury during the game, which would cause them to be short a player, the game will be completed with fewer players than you started. The player(s) spot in the line-up will be an out.
            C. If a sincere effort is being made to reach someone for Christ and the coach feels that his participation in the game could be a factor in his salvation, he is allowed to play.
                  1. The opposing coach must be informed before the game.
                  2. There maybe an unlimited number of these players on the team. However only two such players are allowed to play at one time, unless the opposing coach allows more than two.
                  3. Keep in mind this is not to be used as a means to recruit superior quality players, but as a means of winning a soul(s) for Christ, regardless of his ability as a ball player.

   2.5 New Teams
Pastor and church doctrine must agree with a statement of faith agreed upon by present league teams. A very basic, non-denominational statement containing the basic fundamental truths of the christian faith as generally accepted by evangelical churches. New teams are voted into the league by a majority vote at a League Council meeting.
   2.6 Finances
There is a registration fee and an umpire game fee set forth by ASA each year. These fees will be announced at one of the League Council meetings.
   2.7 Umpires
The league will use ASA umpires for all games. The umpire’s judgement is final. ASA rules will be followed except as described by the league constitution.
   2.8 Rain-Out and or Canceled Games Policy
Coaches must agree to a decision by 4:00 p.m. the day of a game. After the decision has been made to cancel the game, the coaches must call the Commissioner of Operations and the Commissioner of Umpires. If the coaches cannot come to a mutual agreement, both teams must show up at the scheduled field. If the coaches cannot decide at the field, the umpire will decide. If you go to the field you must pay the umpire the game fee. Any scheduled game may be cancelled due to a legitimate reason and with at least 48 hours or more notice to the opposing team manager, Commissioner of Operations and the Commissioner of Umpires. If the cancellation is found unwarranted the team that cancelled will receive 2 forfeits and may be subjected to a fine. All canceled games shall be rescheduled within 1 week of the scheduled game.
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3.Job Descriptions
   3.1 Board of Commissioners
The B.O.C. is responsible for the overall management of the league. Responsibilities include calling, League Council meetings, contacts for teams wishing to join the league, promotion of the league, and any other duties necessary.
   3.2 Chief Operating Officer
The C.O.O. is responsible for the overall management of the league. Responsibilities include calling B.O.C. and League Council meetings. Back-up person on any league, game and or player problems. Any other league duties as necessary.
   3.3 Deputy Chief Of Operations
The Deputy C.O.O. is responsible for any jobs delegated by the C.O.O. and to represent the league in the B.O.C. and League Council meetings in the Commissioner’s absence.
   3.4 Commissioner of Operations
This job entails creating the league schedule. The schedule shall be completed by March 1st. The start of the season and various other restrictions that he shall abide by will be determined at the B.O.C.meetings. He must take notes at all B.O.C. and Council meetings. The schedules will be handed out at the April League Council meeting. He shall compile league standings and scores of each game played. All scores must be called in or e-mailed no later than 24 hours after the games were played. Each Manager must report scores or cancellations to the Commissioner of Operations (not just the winning team, both teams).
   3.5 Commissioner of Regulations
Responsible for all Leaguer and A.S.A. regulations. Includes the approval of equipment and fields that are used each year.
   3.6 Commissioner of Legal Affairs
Responsible for all legal matters of the M.E.S.L. Includes the League Constitution, game protests, fees, fines and all game forfeits.
   3.7 Commissioner of Recruitment
Responsible for recruiting teams that is interested in participating in the M.E.S.L. Responsible for securing teams that are going to return to the league for participation each season.
   3.8 Commissioner of Human Resources
Responsible for rosters and players of the M.E.S.L. Includes the collection and approval of team rosters at the cut-off dates.
   3.9 Commissioner of Umpires
The Commissioner of Umpires is the ASA Area representative. This job consists of scheduling the umpires for all league games.
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4.The Game
The Official Softball Rules as adopted by the Amateur Softball Association of America as they pertain to slow-pitch softball shall be the authority governing rules of play. The following rules shall supplement the above
   4.1 Responsibilities
         4.1.1 Equipment:  Each team shall have a set of bases, strike mat and game balls. The team agreed to be the home team in the first game is responsible for opening the games with a word of prayer prior to the first pitch. The opposing team is responsible for closing the games in a word of prayer. Each team must supply a new game ball per game.
         4.1.2 Team Management:  The manager or acting manager will be the only team member permitted to discuss rule interpretation or question an umpire’s call during a game. Each team must designated a representative at each game. Each team manager will be held responsible for the conduct, safety and welfare of the players during the course of the game. Each manager is responsible to select a person to keep score during each game. In any dispute between teams, the umpire will decide.
         4.1.3 Umpires:  The umpire may eject any player from a game without warning if, in the umpire’s judgement, the player has committed a violation of sportsman-like conduct. In particular, an umpire must eject any player who, in the umpire’s judgement, is guilty of using unnecessary roughness and or fowl language. Any decision concerning rules interpretations shall be the responsibility of the plate umpire.
   4.2 Starting time
Game time is 6:00 p.m.. There is a 15 minute grace period per game. Games called because of time will be treated the same as a game called for any other reason. The second game of a doubleheader will be forfeited if not begun by 6:30 p.m., if the first game has been forfeited. The forfeiting team must pay the umpire for the any forfeited game. If it is one game then the team that forfeited pays $52.50 and the other team pays $17.50. If the team forfeits both games then they pay $70.00. If a team forfeits 5 games during the regular season then said team cannot participate in the playoffs. If a team forfeits 6 games during the regular season, said team is out of the league for the next season.
   4.3 Fielding A Team
A fielded team shall not consist of less than eight or more than eleven players. Thus the batting order may consist of no more than eleven batters. The defensive team will consist of ten of the eleven players in the batting order unless a designated hitter is used. The extra hitter may occupy any position in the batting order and the DH would take the place of a defensive player. If the DH is used for a defensive player the DH cannot enter the field as a defensive player, if the DH does play in the field the player he was batting for must come out of the line-up. If you use a DH you cannot use an EH and vise versa. The extra hitter could play the field as long as there are ten fielders and eleven batters. If a team cannot field at least eight players by 6:15 p.m. (1st game) and 6:30 p.m. (2nd game) they must forfeit and pay the umpire all game fees.
   4.4 League Rules
         4.4.1 Pitching Regulations
            A. Pitcher must present ball.
            B. Arch of the pitch must be between 6 and 12 feet from the ground.
            C. No slinging: shoulders and hips must be square to the plate.
            D. Spinners, floaters, etc. are permitted
            E. The California strike rule using a strike mat will be used. Any pitch hitting home plate or the strike mat is considered a strike.
            F. The pitching rubber must be 50 ft. from home plate.
         4.4.2 Spikes:  Steel spikes are not permitted. The umpire will automatically eject any player who is caught wearing steel spikes. Dull, rubber cleats are permitted.
         4.4.3 Run Rule:  A 12 run rule will govern the games. Any team ahead by 12 runs or more after 5 innings of play, the game will be over. If the home team is winning by 12, then it is over after 4 ½ innings of play. ASA has a mercy rule of 20 runs or more at the completion of the 4th inning, the game is over.
         4.4.4 Ball/Strike Count:  All batters will begin each at bat with a 1 ball and 1 strike count. The batter is out on the 2nd foul ball after the second strike.
         4.4.5 Bats:  Only bats that are approved by the ASA except the bats that the League Council decides as illegal for use in our league. The managers are responsible for their teams bat use. If a player uses an illegal bat he will be called out with all runners moving back to their bases and the player will be ejected from the game. Use of the bat is determined by receiving at least one pitch while batting and that the umpire or opposing team notices the illegal bat. The opposing team may not appeal a hit or have a player ejected for use of an illegal bat, if brought to the umpire’s attention after a pitch has been thrown to the next batter in the line-up.
         4.4.6 Line-Up:  Any team that bats with 8 players will receive an automatic out for the 9th batter unless they have had 10 or more players in the line-up, then they will receive an out for each batter that can not bat. There is no EH when you start with less then 11 offensive players in the starting line-up after the 10th man bats. Any team starting with less then 10 players can add player(s) each half inning until the 10th man has entered the game.
         4.4.7 Speed-up Rule:  After the 1st inning of play there is warm ups only for the pitcher (max. of 3 pitches) unless it is a substitute, in order that we can speed the games up to try our best to complete both games of the double header. Each team shall do their best to change from offense to defense and vise-versa as quickly as possible. After an out has been recorded the ball shall return to the pitcher as quickly as possible. The ball shall not be tossed around the infield except to record an out.
   4.5 Ground Rules
         4.5.1 New Testament Field:  All Players must wear pants (no shorts); any player with shorts cannot play. Any ball hit into the trees in left field shall be ruled a ground rule double.
         4.5.2 Central Baptist Field:  Any ball hit into the center to right center field trees on the fly shall be ruled a homerun and any ball that bounces or rolls in to the trees shall be ruled a ground rule double.. This is for the player safety.
         4.5.3 Church of the Nazarene Field:  Any ball hitting any part of the tree in right field shall be ruled a ground rule double. This is for the player safety.
         4.5.4 Hopewell Fields and Cornell Heights Field:  There is a home run rule in effect for these 3 fields. The rule is 4 homeruns and then 1 up. When both teams reach at least 4 homeruns the teams can each hit 1 more then the other. If a team hits more then 4 or 2 more then the other then the homerun is ruled an out.
         4.5.4 All Fields:  There is to be no, alcoholic beverages, or cursing by players or fans. There is to be no smoking at any church facility.
   4.6 Protest
All protest should be directed to the B.O.C. with in 24 hours.
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5.Playoffs
The playoffs will begin the first Saturday after the last week of the regular season.
   5.1 Playoff Rosters
The rosters for the playoffs must be submitted to the Board of Commissioners by the meeting at the conclusion of the regular season. Only the players who have played in at least 8 games, on military leave or injured during the season and are listed on this roster, are eligible for the playoff games.
   5.2 Format
The playoff format will be decided by the League Committee at a meeting prior to the start of the season.
   5.3 Missed games
Any games not played by the end of the season meeting, the Board of Commissioners will rule on, to set the playoff schedule.
   5.4 Tie Breaking Rules
The following are the rules to determine playoff position if there is a tie.
            1. Best overall record
            2. Head to head
            3. Run differential head to head
            4. Run Total
            5. Coin Flip
   5.5 Playoff Fields
The Fields will be announced at a league meeting prior to the playoffs. The Championship game will be played at Carlton Field or Hopewell Field unless Armstrong 1 or 2 is available on Monday night. The top 3 teams in the standings will select the fields, the 4th place team plays at the field that has not been chosen In all field selections the higher seed selects first and so on unless Armstrong 1 or 2 is available for the championship game.
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