SOFTBALL GUIDELINES http://www.smillerdesign.com/directories/tworivers.html

The Forks Township softball league is governed by league by-laws. Further information can be found by contacting the Forks Township Softball Commissioner or by clicking on the link above.

 CODE OF CONDUCT

o A copy of Article 16 of the FTAA By-laws shall be signed by each parent/guardian on or before the date the players receive their uniforms. It is imperative that the players/parents/guardians and coaches adhere to the code of conduct. A zero-tolerance rule will be in effect before, during and after practices and games.

 EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM POLICY

o All equipment and uniforms are owned by Forks Township. Any equipment or uniforms you receive must be returned in a reasonable timeframe and should be in the condition it was presented to you. If you do not return equipment and uniforms within two weeks of the return date, you will be subject to a late fee assessed by the equipment manager. If the equipment/uniforms are not returned, you will be billed for the replacement value of the equipment/uniforms not returned and may not register for another sport until the either equipment is returned or replacement value is paid.

 PLAYING TIME

o Playing time is governed by the rules of the leagues

 League rules state each child must play a minimum of 3 innings or the team will forfeit the game until the children reach the 13 yr. age bracket when the games become more competitive.

 “PLAYING UP”

o If a coach is in need of a substitute player; that coach may request a player from one level down to “play up”.

o The coach in need of a player must request a player from a coach and should not contact any player directly until approval is given from that player’s coach.

o The child “playing up” cannot have a game that day at their own level.

o The child cannot play more innings than any other child on the team she is playing up for.

 PARENT BEHAVIOR DURING PRACTICES AND GAMES

o Parents are asked to refrain from coaching or voicing concern to referees from the sidelines at any time. This causes confusion for both coaches and players and distracts the players from their position and could result in injury to a child.

o Referees do have the authority to discipline a team for a spectator’s conduct by issuing a penalty and can also request that a spectator be removed from the field. Police will be called if necessary.

 ALL-STAR SELECTION PROCESS

o Tee ball and 7/8 year old (coach pitch)

 Currently, there are no all-star games at the tee ball 7/8 year old level.

o 8/10 – 15-19 year old

 Each team shall select 2 or 3 players to the all-stars (number of players is determined by the league). These players are then assigned to an “all-league division team”. This is determined by the league.

 The team shall select its all-star players via a vote from each team player. The player with the most votes shall proceed to the all-star team. In the case of a tie, the head coach shall be the tie-breaking vote.

 Coaches for the all-star team are determined by the teams placing first and second in the regular season and are notified by the league.

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 FORMING A TEAM – TEE BALL AND 7/8 YEAR OLD LEVELS

o Forming a team should continue to be done by neighborhood. A player may request to be on a certain team for transportation or other special needs but this is not a guarantee.

o To join tee-ball, a child must reach age 5 by May 1st of that year.

o An 8 year old may “play up” at the 9/10 year old level with the permission of the softball commissioner.

o All players must be Forks Township residents.

 This is a league rule. If you are not a Forks resident, you must be granted permission by the Eastern Lehigh Valley League President. Contact the Forks Commissioner prior to pursuing this.

 FORMING A TEAM - 9/10 AND 11/12 YEAR OLD LEVELS (Eastern Lehigh Valley)

o All players must be Forks Township residents.

 This is a league rule. If you are not a Forks resident, you must be granted permission by the Eastern Lehigh Valley League President. Contact the Forks Commissioner prior to pursuing this.

o Evaluations shall be held for kids moving up to this level.

o Evaluations are done by coaches and other qualified persons determined by the Forks Softball Commissioner.

o Each player goes in to a draft and coaching staffs pick an even amount of players on their team.

o If a coach has a daughter on their team that was rated, that child counts as a pick for that coach at whatever rating she was given.

o All new players are required to attend an evaluation. Each of these players are evaluated and distributed evenly among teams.

 FORMING A TEAM – 13-15 and 15-19 YEAR OLD LEVEL (Two Rivers)

o All players must be Forks Township residents.

 This is a league rule. If you are not a Forks resident, you must be granted permission by the Two Rivers League President. Contact the Forks Commissioner prior to pursuing this.

o Evaluations shall be held for kids moving up to this level.

o Evaluations are done by coaches and other qualified persons determined by the Forks Softball Commissioner.

o Each player goes in to a draft and coaching staffs pick an even amount of players on their team.

o If a coach has a daughter on their team that was rated, that child counts as a pick for that coach at whatever rating she was given.

o All new players are required to attend an evaluation. Each of these players are evaluated and distributed evenly among teams.

 AGE BRACKETS

AGE GROUP MUST BE AGE BEFORE