d, dZ - Softball ACT · +rph 5xq &dqwhhq dqg srvvleo\ rwkhu yhqgru vwdwlrqv zloo eh rshudwlrqdo wkurxjkrxw wkh wrxuqdphqw iurp wkh foxekrxvh $ phqx lqfoxglqj oxqfk phdov zloo eh surylghg

$Page 1: d, dZ - Softball ACT · +rph 5xq &dqwhhq dqg srvvleo\ rwkhu yhqgru vwdwlrqv zloo eh rshudwlrqdo wkurxjkrxw wkh wrxuqdphqw iurp wkh foxekrxvh $ phqx lqfoxglqj oxqfk phdov zloo eh surylghg$
THE TRADIES

2017 AUSTRALIA DAY JUNIOR SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Thursday 26 January

to Saturday 28 January

Hawker International Softball Centre

Preliminary Information Booklet

For enquiries contact [email protected]

2017 Australia Day Carnival Preliminary Handbook Page 2 of 11 v1.1 last updated 11/11/2016

Foreword Thank you for your interest in the 2017 Australia Day Carnival. This handbook seeks to provide key information for teams planning to register for the Carnival, including:

Key dates Player eligibility and offered divisions

Requirements for entry, including team fees and umpire requirements

Accommodation options, and

Draft competition rules

All information in this preliminary information handbook is a guide only and will be subject to review prior to the 2017 tournament. Teams should continue to monitor all communications from Softball ACT and re-read the latest copies of this document as it becomes available. Softball ACT reserves the right to alter the competition rules.

We’ve been working hard in recent months to upgrade the facilities at the Hawker International Softball Centre. All skinned diamonds and grass verges have been ripped and re-levelled, all lights have been serviced including the addition of two new lights over one of our internal diamonds and by Australia Day 2017, the main diamonds will have new back nets. We are confident that these priority upgrades will deliver a better playing experience for all players who use the skinned diamonds.

With the ACT recently successful in its bid to secure nationals for Open Men’s and u15 boys’ from 2018 to 2020, we also look forward to seeing many of you return to the ACT in coming years to represent your state as well as participate in future Australia Day tournaments.

We would like to acknowledge our major sponsor, The Tradies, who proudly support Softball ACT. Community sport just wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our sponsors and volunteers so we encourage you to see what Tradies can offer your club, team or family during any visit to the ACT.

Key Dates 11 November 2016 Handbook released

30 November 2016 Expressions of interest requested by Softball ACT to confirm which divisions can be feasibly offered

31 December 2016 Registration forms, umpire names and payments due

16 January 2017 Competition draw and rules released to teams for comment

22 January 2017 Requested changes and questions due

24 January 2017 Final version of draw released, any changes to rules released with comment.

26 January 2017 Competition commences, managers meeting to discuss the tournament.



Player Eligibility The following table outlines the age cut-offs for each division that Softball ACT is hoping to offer at the 2017 Australia Day Competition. Depending on expressions of interest certain divisions may not be offered.

Teams may seek dispensation for players who do not fall within the age cut-off dates at the organising committee’s discretion.

Dispensation requests should be sent through by team managers as soon as possible. The request should be included in your registration form, or sent through outlining all the relevant players, alongside a current team list, to [email protected].

Where Softball ACT grants a dispensation at its discretion, the relevant players may not pitch or catch. To ensure this all overage players will be brought to the plate umpires attention and opposition coaches attention before the start of a match and marked on the scorecard. Where a scorecard has not been marked with all overage players, or where it comes to the attention of Softball ACT that an overage player has pitched or caught the relevant match will be forfeited against the team at fault.

Eligibility Table

Teeball Players aged 10 or under on the 31st Dec 2016 – mixed or same-gender teams

U13s Players aged 13 or under on the 31st Dec 2016 – same-gender teams only





Entry requirements and registration

Team Fees $330 (inc GST) if two umpires are provided

$550 (inc GST) if only one umpire is provided

There is no discount based on the number of players in a team.

Payments can be made by direct deposit to:

ACT Softball Association Inc Commonwealth Bank of Australia BSB 062-907 Account no 00802828

Umpire Requirements All teams must provide a minimum of one nationally levelled umpire capable of umpiring both plates and bases or else they are not permitted to enter the competition. Where a team is unable to meet this minimum standard, they should contact [email protected].



If a team provides an additional umpire (trainee or levelled) their team fee will be reduced by $220 (inc GST). This umpire must be able to umpire bases at a minimum and be able to umpire throughout the tournament. Umpiring data will be reviewed at the end of the tournament and where promised umpires have not attended, further fees may be levied against teams.

Registration Please register using the Google form at: https://goo.gl/forms/KYppVKmkvIxX9IIQ2.

If you are not ready to register, please file an Expression of Interest using the Google form at: https://goo.gl/forms/v93VDQWLUCFbyDwF2

Each team participating in the Australia Day Carnival will be set up in the Membership / Competitions module of Softball Australia’s SportsTG player database, based on the information provided in your Google forms registration. Teams will probably need to arrange permits for all players from their regular teams to play in the competition. Instructions for how to arrange permits are attached.

Questions Any queries that you have about this handbook or the tournament more generally can be directed to [email protected]

Accommodation in Canberra There are many options for team accommodation for the tournament. This includes some of Softball ACT’s sponsors. If enquiring with our sponsors, please mention that you’re in town for softball.

The Tradies Quality Hotel Dickson & Woden http://www.qualityhotelscanberra.com.au/sections/main/default.php

Alivio Tourist Park Canberra O’Connor http://aliviogroup.com.au/

Roundhouse Hotels Belconnen, Dickson, & Griffith http://www.roundhousehotels.com.au/locations/ Belconnen Way Motel & Serviced Apartments Hawker http://www.belconnenhotel.com/

Meetings A meeting for team managers will be held in the clubhouse at the Hawker International

Softball Centre on Thursday, 26th January. The meeting is planned for 08:00am, but the exact time is subject to change depending on the draw.

ALL teams must provide a representative for the manager’s meeting.



A meeting of umpires will be held near the umpires’ changing rooms on Thursday, 26th

January. The meeting is planned for 08:30am, but the exact time is subject to change depending on the draw.

ALL umpires must attend the umpires’ meeting.

Playing Venues All games will be held at the Hawker International Softball Centre and the fields surrounding.

Equipment All teams must supply their own match balls for all games. 11” optic yellow reduced injury balls will be used for Teeball Divisions. 11” optic yellow hard standard balls will be used for the Under 13 Division & Under 15

Divisions. 12” optic yellow hard standard balls will be used for Under 17, Under 19, and Under 23

Divisions All teams must supply their own scorebooks. Balls, scorebooks and other equipment will be available for purchase from the Fielder’s

Choice Pro Shop in the clubhouse. All teams must use wiffle balls if undertaking pre-game batting warm up, due to limited space

and for the safety of all others in the park.

Canteen Facilities Home Run Canteen, and possibly other vendor stations, will be operational throughout the

tournament from the clubhouse. A menu (including lunch/meals) will be provided prior to the tournament.

Water and Water Containers As the temperature is expected to be hot during the tournament, teams are advised to bring

water containers. There are taps at the back of diamonds 1, 2 and 3 which can be used for filling containers.

Water from the taps along the right and left field fences of diamonds 1 and 2 is not suitable for drinking. These taps are clearly marked as such.

Shade and Benches While some benches will be supplied, we do not have enough to cover all teams. Teams are

asked to supply their own shades and benches and if possible leave them up for the day.

Bases Grounds people will put out bases each morning and collect them each night. Do not remove

bases from the diamond. Teams playing in the last time slot please collect bases and leave at home plate.

Environment Maintenance Teams will be responsible for cleaning up and disposing of rubbish at the end of each game. Bins are provided on each diamond



Ambulance Service Call “000”. Advise ambulance that you are at the:

Hawker Softball Grounds (off Walhallow Street) and which diamond you are playing on.

Ambulance service has a map of the diamonds.

First Aid First aid assistance is available from the first aid room located in the Softball ACT office

PLAYING RULES

General 1. All Divisions will play by Softball Australia’s Official Playing Rules and Casebook unless

otherwise specified in this program.

Team Numbers 2. Teams may start and finish with a minimum of 7 players with automatic outs in the batting

order. The team will forfeit if there are fewer than 7 players available to play. 3. Teams may have up to 15 team members (maximum), as only 15 medals will be presented to

the winners and runners up in each division. 4. Teams are welcome to provide cheer squads, not being playing team members.

Home/Away Teams 5. The first named/home team will occupy 3rd base. The second named/away team will occupy

1st base. 6. ALL GAMES, including finals, will require a toss of the coin to determine which team will

field or bat first. 7. Please ensure the toss is done prior to the game, this does not need umpire in attendance.

Declaration 8. In all divisions, teams may declare twice during a game.

Under 13 Special Rules 9. 3 outs or 6 runs

a. If 3 outs have not been achieved and a team has scored 6 runs in the inning, then that team is deemed to be retired regardless of outs.

b. All additional runs scored on the play which scores the sixth run will be counted. For example, where a team has scored 5 runs, have loaded bases and the batter hits a home run, then 9 runs are scored for the innings.

10. Pitchers may pitch a maximum of three (3) innings or part thereof per game. A pitcher who pitches one or more pitches in an innings shall be deemed to have pitched part of an innings. Both the starting pitcher and the ending pitcher in an innings shall be deemed to have pitched the inning.

11. Where a game goes to seven (7) or more innings, a pitcher who previously pitched 3 innings in the game may return to pitch up to a further three (3) innings.

12. Batting through a. Teams may choose before the game to list more than 9 players in their batting order.

The chosen size of the batting order is fixed for the duration of the game. b. There is no upper limit on the number of players in the batting order, except that all

players must be eligible team roster members. c. Teams will bat through their entire batting order, even if it exceeds 9 players. d. Only 9 players may take the field at any one time. e. If a team opts to use more than 9 players in their batting order, they may not use



FLEX players. f. The players on the field can be changed at any time while fielding with a simple

positional change. This can be a change between two fielders, or between a fielder and a player in the batting order who is not currently fielding. There is no limit to the number of changes that can be requested in this way.

g. Players who are not in the batting order may be substituted as normal, or brought on as Replacement Players in the event of a blood bin rule. Re-entries will not be permitted, except in the case of a Withdrawn Player returning following clean-up of any blood.

Teeball Special Rules 13. The ball is not pitched in teeball, but is instead batted off a tee. 14. Where the Official Rules of Softball refer to “at the time of the pitch”, this will be taken to

mean “at the time the batter hits the ball”. A batter swinging at the ball counts as a “pitch”. 15. Base runners must remain in contact with their base until the ball is hit. 16. A “FOUL BALL” shall be declared in accordance with the Official Rules, and also if the

batted ball does not travel beyond a 20’ (6.10m) arc from the tee, or if the batter hits the tee instead of the ball.

17. The infield fly rule does not apply in teeball. 18. The catcher must wear a catcher’s mask and helmet, fielding facemask, or batting helmet at

all times while in the field. 19. The provisions of rule 9 “3 outs or 6 runs” apply in teeball also. 20. The provisions of rule 12 “Batting through” apply in teeball also. 21. The umpire will call “Play ball” prior to each swing at the ball. If a batter swings at the ball

before “play ball” has been called, “no pitch” shall be declared. 22. The umpire will call “Time” at the end of a play, when:

a. The ball is possessed by an infielder, who stands either within the pitching circle, or is in front of the lead runner.

b. The runners have stopped running. c. The umpire may call “time” even if the runners are still moving if, in his or her

opinion, this is the appropriate action for the skill level of the players. Runners who are between bases when the time out is granted must proceed to the base they were going to.

Scorecards 23. The home team is responsible for the scorecards for their games. Scorecards are available

from the Registrar who is located in the office, and must be returned by the winning team to the Registrar upon completion of each game.

Pitching Distances 24. Pitching distances are:

a. Teeball girls and boys – 30’ (9.14m) b. Under 13 girls and boys – 35’ (10.66m) c. Under 15 girls and boys - 40’ (12.19m) d. Under 17 girls - 40 feet (12.19m) e. Under 17, 19 boys and Under 23 men’s - 46 feet (14.02m) f. Under 19 and 23 women - 43 feet (13.11m)

Baseline distances 25. Baseline distances are:

a. Teeball – 45’ (13.7m) b. Under 13 – 50’ (15.24m) c. Under 15 and above – 60’ (18.29m)

Time Limits 26. ALL Softball games, including finals, will be one hour and 10 minutes. For regular round



games, time is measured from the scheduled commencement time of each game. 27. Teeball games will be one hour in length from the scheduled commencement time. 28. Any game, other than finals, commencing late, for whatever reason, will finish at the

scheduled completion time. 29. No new innings should be commenced after one hour and 5 minutes. If, after one hour and 5

minutes, the team batting second is in front and the game is in the bottom of the inning, there is no need to complete the inning in progress.

30. At the conclusion of time, if a batter is in the box, they must complete their turn at bat and the final play in progress must be finished.

31. A request for a time out to make a fielding change, substitution, conference, or any other reason may be refused if the umpire believes there is insufficient time to complete the request. This includes fielding changes in u13s.

32. The umpires’ decision on time is final and may not be questioned or disputed.

Finals 33. Finals games include semi-finals and grand finals. 34. The same time limit rules apply to finals as to regular round games, with the following

exceptions: a. Time will be judged from the actual start of play, not from the scheduled start time.

If a game begins late, the completion time will also be delayed. b. A minimum 20-minute break must occur between the start of a final and the end of

the game in which either of the teams competing in that final last played. c. If, at the normal end of the game, a result has been found or can be found by reverting

back as normal, that result will stand. d. If, at the normal end of the game, the final score would be a tie, the inning in progress

should continue. e. If the score is still tied at the end of the inning in progress, a standard tie-breaker

inning should begin with a runner on 2nd. f. Any subsequent tie-breaker innings should begin with runners on 1st and 3rd base.

Protests 35. Protests will not be allowed under any circumstances. The umpire’s decision is final.

Catcher Speed-up Rule 36. If the catcher is on base with two outs – the catcher may be replaced by any player on the

scorecard, including bench players, except that if a non-bench player is chosen they may not be one of the next four batters due up in the batting line-up.

Code of conduct All participants and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the

Softball Australia Codes of Conduct. Softball ACT adheres to a Zero Tolerance policy for breaches of the codes. The abuse of umpires by players/coaches/officials/spectators is a reportable offence and

WILL NOT be tolerated at a junior tournament. The offender(s) may be warned and subsequently ejected from the game if the abuse

continues, or ejected without warning if the umpire(s) or other Softball ACT or Softball Umpires’ Association ACT officials consider it warranted. If a player or official is ejected they cannot remain within sight of the diamond.

Reports of unacceptable behaviour received post-game will require the offender to attend a tribunal where further action may be taken where appropriate.

The Zero Tolerance policy will be reiterated at the coaches meeting.



Wet Weather or Abandoned Games A wet weather committee, comprising the Umpire in Chief, Grounds Manager and the

Tournament Convenor will determine the status of games due to inclement weather. Lightning – games will be suspended due to lightning in one of two ways:

1. If an umpire perceives it is unsafe to continue the game due to lightning, he/she may suspend the game. All games will be suspended immediately if this occurs. Umpires are advised that if they observe another game suspended, they will immediately suspend their games also.

2. Games can also be suspended if, in the opinion of the wet weather committee, it is unsafe to continue the games.

In both situations, an announcement will be made over the PA system and a runner will advise teams. We will endeavour to suspend games as soon as practical and minimise time delays between suspending games. A decision regarding the recommencement of the games will be made by the wet weather committee and will be advised.

If games are suspended, scorers are to note the time games have been suspended in the scorebook.

Washed out or abandoned matches will not be replayed. No points will be awarded to each team and the winning ratio formula will come into play.

In a split round, results of completed games will stand. In all timed games, if 45 minutes have been played when the game is called then the game is

regulation. The score of a called regulation game shall be the score at the end of the last complete

innings, unless the team second at bat is ahead. In this case, the score shall be that of the incomplete inning.

Team Standings A ladder will be displayed regularly during the competition showing the standings of each

division. Cup and Plate pool divisions shall be determined on ladder standings. All final games will be determined on ladder standings. Teams are ranked in order of points earned. The team receiving a forfeit is responsible for completing and returning the scorecard to the

Registrar with a result of 7 runs to 0 recorded.

Points Points will be awarded as follows:

Win = 3 points Draw = 2 points Loss = 1 point Bye = 0 points Forfeit received = 3 points Forfeit given = 0 points Incomplete or missing scorecard = 1 point to both

Teams 1. In any Division where teams within the pool have an unequal number of games for any

reason (e.g., abandoned games due to wet weather), teams will be ranked in order of winning ratio calculated as follows:

a. (Points earned by team x 100) / possible points attainable.

2. In developing ladder standings, if two or more teams are on the same number of points and winning ratio, the position on the ladder will depend on the outcome of the game(s) played between them during the rounds.



3. Where teams have not met during the rounds, played a draw or the outcome of the game(s) played between them during the rounds cannot determine standings, then the teams will be ranked according to their defensive record (i.e., the team that has conceded fewer runs will be ranked higher).

4. Where the defensive record is equal, they shall be ranked according to percentage points (i.e., runs scored / runs conceded x 100).

5. If teams are still equal, the team with the greater number of wins shall be ranked higher (i.e., 2 wins shall rank higher than 3 draws).

6. If teams are still equal, a coin toss will determine ladder position. 7. Where teams are split into pools and later graded into Cup and Plate divisions, points scored

in the original pools do not carry over. Softball ACT reserves the right to do all things necessary to ensure the safe conduct of the tournament.

Local Diamond Rules – external diamonds

1. Batted fair ball rolls into trees in the outfield or out of sight of the plate umpire – batter/runners awarded 3 bases from the time of the pitch.

2. Batted fair ball hits the trees in the outfield on the full – batter is awarded a home run.

3. Batted fair ball is hit over the hill in the outfield on the full – batter is awarded a home run.

4. Batted fair ball rolls up the hill in the outfield and stays in sight of the plate umpire – continue play.

5. Batted fair ball rolls up the hill in the outfield and out of sight of the plate umpire – batter/runners awarded 3 bases from the time of the pitch.

6. Batted fair ball rolls over the hill in the outfield – batter/runners awarded 3 bases from the time of the pitch.

7. Batted fair ball is touched by a player from another game, a spectator or by any foreign object (e.g., spectator chair, base on another diamond) - batter/runners awarded 3 bases from the time of the pitch.



Softball ACT sponsors

The Tradies has been a Canberra institution for over 50 years and operates licensed community clubs in both Dickson and Woden.

We're immensely proud of our history but we are also looking forward to the future, growing and adapting to service the needs of our broadening membership base.

With our award-winning hotels adjacent to each of the clubs we can provide just about everything you are likely to need under the one roof, whether it be a short visit for a meal or a drink or an extended stay over several days. We even own and operate our own fully-equipped gymnasium in Dickson, the Northside Fitness Centre.

Our mission is to provide a modern and progressive club with professional staff that offers the best hospitality, entertainment services and facilities for our members and their invited guests.

For more information please see our website below

http://www.thetradies.com.au/html/s01_home/home.asp

Documents

d, dZ - Softball ACT · +rph 5xq &dqwhhq dqg srvvleo\ rwkhu yhqgru vwdwlrqv zloo eh rshudwlrqdo wkurxjkrxw wkh wrxuqdphqw iurp wkh foxekrxvh $ phqx lqfoxglqj oxqfk phdov zloo eh surylghg