Rambler Park Fastball League
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RAMBLER PARK FASTBALL ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS (revised 2020)


 

  1. Name

The Association will be known as the Rambler Park Fastball Association.

For the purpose of this Constitution and By-Laws, it will be referred to as the Association.

  1. Objective

The objective of the Association will be to foster, improve, and perpetuate men’s softball in the City of Regina and surrounding area.


 

  1. Team Membership

Application for team membership will be received by the League Committee prior to any current season. Acceptance will be decided by the Committee and will be confirmed by the March meeting. All new accepted teams will be placed on a probationary period decided by the Committee.


 

  1. Fees

League Fees are required from each team in amounts set out by the League Committee prior to the start of each season. Payment of $1000 as a deposit is due by the April meeting. Remaining League Fees must be paid by a minimum of 50% of the balance prior to playing of a team’s first League game with the balance remaining to be paid by June 1st of the current year.


 

  1. League Committee

The League Committee will consist of no more than (2) representatives from each team, for the first three and last meeting of the year with all remaining meetings being conducted by the appointed League Executive.


 

1.


 

  1. League Executive

The League Executive will be elected with no more than two (2) officers from the same team. The League Executive will consist of a President, Immediate Past President, Treasurer, Secretary, Statistician, and a minimum of two (2) elected committee members (Members at Large).


 

  1. League Umpire in Chief

(a) The League Umpire In Chief will be appointed by the League Committee. The functions of the Umpire In Chief will be in accordance with Softball Saskatchewan rules. The Umpire In Chief will act as liaison between Softball Saskatchewan and the Rambler Park Softball Association.

(b) The Umpire In Chief will act as Chairman for the Protest Committee which will settle disputes regarding interpretation of the League Playing Rules, and also those of Softball Saskatchewan and the Canadian Amateur Softball Association. The Umpire In Chief and the Committee members will not be responsible to preside over matters that have been submitted for appeal. Procedures governing appeals are covered under Section 20 of this Constitution. The Umpire In Chief will select two other umpires to sit on the Committee with him. Protests will be handled in the manner set out under Section 20 of this Constitution. The League President will act as an Advisor on constitutional interpretation for the protest and will not have a vote (2020).


 

  1. League Meetings

(a) League Committee meetings will be held on a monthly basis on the 1st Wednesday of March, April and if required, either October or November to conclude the year’s business.

(b) At the first two, and the last meeting of the year, two-thirds (2/3) of the League Committee will form a quorum. Notices calling a League meeting will be sent out at least (5) days before hand.

(c) The Secretary will notify the members of the calling of meetings of the League Executive or League Committee.

(d) A Special meeting will be called if requested by 50% (half) or more of the total teams in the Association.

(e) All matters will be decided by a majority vote. A secret ballot will be used when requested by any team.

2.

(f) The Secretary will report and record the minutes of the meeting of the Association, as well as be responsible for all League correspondence. The Treasurer will be in charge of collecting, depositing, and recording the funds of the Association.

(g) During the course of the year, the League Executive will carry out the normal operation of the League’s business. It is felt that the Executive can operate the weekly running of the League without having to bring the entire League Committee together other than on the dates set out in Section 8 (a) and (d).


 

  1. Signing Officers

The signature of two executive members, one of whom must be the Treasurer, must appear on all cheques. Three members of the Executive will be designated as having joint signing authority at the bank.


 

  1. Playing Rules

The playing rules will be those adopted by Softball Saskatchewan, with amendments approved by the League Committee.


 

  1. Amendments to the Constitution

Amendments to this Constitution shall not be made more than once per year and shall be submitted and voted on no later than April 15th of the current year. Proposals to amend the Constitution or to change the current Playing Rules may be made in writing and presented to the League Executive at any time, but these proposals will only be brought to a vote of the membership prior to the start of the current year’s season. In order to vote on an amendment to the Constitution or on a change to the Playing Rules, a team must be a member in good standing with all current fees and all outstanding fines being paid in full. (99).


 


 


 


 


 


 

3.

12. Registration of Players

Each team will register a maximum of seventeen (17) players and may register an additional three (3) non-playing coaches.


 

(a) Prior to all games, each manager or coach will fill out a lineup card listing the surname, first name, uniform number and position of all players who are present on the bench. The lineup card is to be exchanged with the opposing manager or coach as well as the League umpire and scorekeeper. This will apply for all games before and after the roster deadline.

If a player’s name is omitted on the game lineup card prior to the start of the game, the player will be permitted to enter into the game upon notification of the omission to the Home Plate Umpire, the opposing team and the official scorekeeper. The player must be on the team’s regular season roster in order to be included on the game lineup card.

(b) The final date for registration of the current year’s roster is May 1st of the current playing year. (2020)

(c) After the player registration deadline and the player rosters have been submitted to Softball Saskatchewan, a copy of the completed player rosters will then be filed with the Executive for administrative purposes. (2020)

(e) Only in exceptional circumstances, and with approval of the League Executive, will a decision be made to alter the registration regulations.

(f) If a player suffers a “season ending injury”, the player’s spot on the team’s roster may be filled by another player (who is affiliated with Softball Saskatchewan or Softball Canada). The injured player must provide “medical proof of disability” suitable to the League Executive, prior to being eligible to be substituted for on the roster. (2020)


 

13. Playoffs

(a) As scheduled by the League Executive

(b) No playoff dates are to be broken except in the case of inclement weather. The League Executive will then authorize a postponement.

(c) The tie breaker rules for determining playoff positions are outlined in Appendix 1.


 


 


 


 

4.

14. Suspension of Players

Players will be suspended under the following rules and in accordance with the penalties hereinafter set forth. All suspensions will be made by the League Executive and the respective team manager or coach will be contacted before the next League game. Approval of the League Executive to reinstate said player for the following year is required.

(a) Ungentlemanly conduct or use of abusive language by any player, manager or coach of any team, on or off the playing field.

(b) Striking an umpire on or off the playing field. The player will be suspended from competition for one calendar year from date of the infraction. For the suspended player to resume playing in the Association during the year that his suspension expires, he must be placed on the team’s roster prior to the roster deadline. (2020)

(c) Any player found ineligible will be suspended for the remainder of the current year including playoffs. An ineligible player is any player participating while under suspension and/or covered by the explanation in the current year CASA Rulebook.

(d) Any player or coach making a farce of the game.


 

15.Penalties

The following penalties apply for player expulsion under Section 15 (b) Suspension of Players.

(a) Players having a first offense will automatically be suspended from the playing area for the remainder of the game in which the offense occurred. The player will also be suspended from the playing area for the next succeeding game.

(b) A second offense will result in the suspension of the player from the playing area for the remainder of the game in which the offense occurred plus an additional three (2) consecutive games. (2002)

(c) A third offense will result in the suspension of the player from the playing area until his suspension has been reviewed by the League Committee and a decision made upon the length of the suspension or possible expulsion from the League.

(d) All other penalties and expulsions of players not covered in this Constitution will be handled under the current rules of Softball Saskatchewan.


 


 


 

5.

16. Player Expulsion

(a) When a player has been ejected from a game, the Plate Umpire is to complete a Player Expulsion Form, which will be forwarded to the League Secretary immediately following the game.

(b) A League Executive Member will notify a representative of the team that is scheduled to play the next game against the team with the suspended member. The Umpire In Chief will also be notified so that officials who are to officiate in the next scheduled game in which the suspended player is a member, are also aware of the suspension.


 

17. Suspension of Teams

Teams will be suspended under the following rules. All suspensions will be made by the League Executive and the respective manager, coach or team representative of the affected team, will be contacted before the next League game. (99)

(a) Teams that default two (2) games in either regular season league play or playoffs will be suspended from further play in the Association. All fees paid to the Association will be forfeited to the Association. The suspended team will not be permitted to participate in any League activities or functions (including a League cabaret and awards banquet) for the remainder of the year in which the suspension occurred.

The Team may apply for reinstatement into the Association by making written application to the League executive prior to commencement of the League activities in the year following the suspension.

Any team suspended from the Association for any reason will forfeit its’ position in the tier structure of the Association. Upon reinstatement, the team(s) would commence play in the lowest division in their year of reinstatement.

(b) Teams failing to provide a completed player roster by the roster deadline date will default their next scheduled game after the roster deadline and all further scheduled games until the completed player roster is submitted. (2020)

(c) Failing to comply with and obeying the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association.

(d) For not complying with playoff regulations.

(e) A team shall retain its’ position in the Association for a new season if, and only if, a minimum of 6 players from last season’s roster return on the current roster for the team. Failure to meet this minimum requirement means the team forfeits its’ position in the Association and will be replaced by the next team eligible to move up as per the Constitution’s rules regarding tier structure. (99)

6.

18. Penalties

(a) Players from any team that has been suspended will be permitted to return to play in the League the year following their team’s suspension. However, a maximum of three (3) players from that team will be permitted to join another team in the Association. This condition will remain in place for two (2) consecutive years following the year in which the suspension occurred. (99)

(b) A team that has given a minimum of 24 hours notice to the Umpire Scheduler, League Executive, and the opposing team’s representative of being unable to field a team for a scheduled playoff game, will lose the game by forfeit. (2020)


 

19. Protests

(a) All protests filed with the Association for League games must be submitted to the League Executive “in writing”. The submission may be submitted electronically via e-mail fax or letter. (2020)

(b) All protests will be prepared and submitted in triplicate and signed by the manager or coach. The protests must be submitted to the League Executive no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the offense. All protests will be accompanied with a fee of one hundred ($100) dollars which will be returned only if the protest is granted. (2020)

(c) All protests will state the Article of the Constitution or By-Law or the Softball Saskatchewan rule that has been broken and will contain supporting evidence. The League Secretary will disperse one (1) copy to the League Umpire In Chief, one (1) copy to the manager or coach of the team protested against, and one (1) copy will be filed with the League Executive.

(d) The manager or coach of the team protested against, may if he wishes, file evidence in defense of the protest served against him. This evidence of defense will be forwarded to the League Secretary in writing and in triplicate within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the protest. Upon receipt by the League Secretary, one (1) copy will be forwarded to the manager or coach of the team lodging the protest, and one (1) copy will be forwarded to the League Umpire In Chief as soon as possible. One (1) copy will be filed with the League Executive. This evidence may be distributed electronically. (2020)

(e) Teams losing games by protests on rule interpretation will not be considered as defaulted. Protests lost on Constitutional or By-Law infractions will be considered as defaulted games.

(f) No protest will be contested on an umpire’s judgement. Only on an interpretation of playing rules.

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(g) The Umpire In Chief will handle all protests regarding Softball Saskatchewan rules as well as the rules under which this Association is governed. The Umpire In Chief will give a copy of his decision to the League Executive, who in turn will notify the teams and players involved in the protest of the Protest Committee’s decision.

(h) All protests during playoff games shall be decided at the time the protest is made if the Umpire In Chief or his representative is present or before the next scheduled game.


 

20. Appeals

(a) The right to appeal shall pertain only to a player, coach, manager, team, umpire or Association officer who has affiliated, and or, registered with Softball Saskatchewan.

(b) All affected parties will be given the opportunity to be present, and make presentations to the Appeal Committee.

(c) All documentation will be available and accessible to all affected parties.

(d) The affected parties may be represented by council.

(e) Any team, team member, umpire or Association Officer who desires to appeal their suspension of more than three (3) games, must notify the Association’s Appeal Committee through contact with the League President, in writing, of their intention to appeal, within fourteen (14) days, after receipt of the Notice of Suspension. The written notice of intention to appeal must be accompanied by a non-refundable payment of one hundred fifty ($150.00). The appeal hearing will be heard as outlined in Section 8.01, 8.02, of the Constitution and By-Laws of Softball Saskatchewan which are outlined in the current year’s Handbook of Operating Rules. (99)


 

21. Appeal Hearing

(a) Cost one hundred fifty ($150.00) dollars, non-refundable.

(b) All affected parties will be given a minimum of two (2) days notice of the appeal date, time and location.

(c) The Association’s Appeal Committee shall deliver its’ decision to all affected parties, by mail or e-mail, no later than seven (7) days after the conclusion of the Appeal hearing. (2020)

(d) The Appeal Committee decisions will comply with the terms of the Association’s By-Laws, Constitution and Operating Rules.

(e) The decision of the Association’s Appeal Committee shall be final and binding on all parties involved.

8.

(f) The Appeal Committee will consist of the League Umpire in Chief, the League President, who will chair the meeting and only vote in the case of a tie, and three randomly selected members from teams which are not directly involved in the matters leading up to the appeal. These Appeal Committee Members cannot be members of the current League Executive.


 

22. Umpires

(a) The League Committee will be responsible for the proper registration of League Umpires, and will, with the Umpire In Chief, arrange for umpires as required in all games. All non-registered umpires will be approved by the League Umpire In Chief.

(b) The umpire’s fees will be decided by the League Committee.

(c) The cost of payment to the umpires will be the responsibility of the League.

23. Uniforms

Each team shall submit their official uniform and all players on the team will dress accordingly. Each player will be attired in this uniform for every game. Teams with more than one uniform will be permitted to wear different uniforms provided that each player dresses in the same uniform as the team does for each game. Any player dressed otherwise will not be permitted to play until properly dressed. A catcher will be exempt from wearing a cap while catching. A complete uniform shall be worn from the first league game on.

(a) The team managers or coaches on the field shall be attired as per Canadian Amateur Softball Association Rules.

(b) If players on a team wear undershirts, they will be of one type and uniform color.

(c)This article may be waived with permission from the League Executive for special cases.

 

24. Game Balls

One (1) new and one (1) used playable ball per team will be put into play for each game. It will be the responsibility of the team “at bat” to retrieve game balls that are hit out of the field of play.


 

 

 

9.

SOFTBALL SASKATCHEWAN

SOCIAL MEDIA AND NETWORKING POLICY


 


 

1. INTRODUCTION


 

For the purpose of this Social Media and Networking Policy, the policy will encompass public communications through such internet mediums and websites as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Foursquare and any other social media network that allows users to communicate online.

The policy will be applicable to all members of Softball Saskatchewan, including volunteers, staff, players, coaches, Executive members, umpires and players family members..


 

Softball Saskatchewan recognizes and appreciates the value of social media and the importance of social networking to all of its stakeholders. Softball Saskatchewan also respects the rights of all Teams, Leagues and Associations personnel to express their views publicly. At the same time we must be aware of the dangers social media and networking can present.


 

The purpose of this policy is to educate the Softball Saskatchewan Community on the risks of social media and to ensure all Teams, Leagues and Associations personnel are aware that conduct deemed to be inappropriate may be subject to disciplinary action by a Team the local League or Association and/or Softball Saskatchewan.


 

2. SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES


 

a) Softball Saskatchewan holds the entire softball community who participates in social media and networking to the same standards as it does for all other forms of media including radio, television and print.


 

b) Comments or remarks of an inappropriate nature which are detrimental to a Team, League or Association, Softball Saskatchewan or an individual will not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary action.


 

c) It should be recognized that social media comments are on the record and instantly published and available to the public and media. Everyone including League or Association and/or Team personnel, players, corporate partners and the media can review social media communications. You should conduct yourself in an appropriate and professional manner at all times.


 

d) Refrain from divulging confidential information of a personal or team related nature. Avoid revealing business or game strategy that could provide another team or individual a competitive advantage. Furthermore, do not discuss injury information about any player. Only divulge information that is considered public.


 

e) Use your best judgment at all times – pause before posting. Once your comments are posted they cannot be retracted. Ultimately, you are solely responsible for your comments and they are published for the public record.


 

 

 


 

f) If requested to participate in an online network, as a direct result of your affiliation with Softball Saskatchewan, it is recommended that you request approval from the Team, League or Association.


 

3. SOCIAL MEDIA VIOLATIONS


 

The following are examples of conduct through social media and networking mediums that are considered violations of the Softball Saskatchewan Social Media and Networking Policy and may be subject to disciplinary action by the Team, League, Association and/or Softball Saskatchewan.


 

a) Any statement deemed to be publicly critical of officials or detrimental to the welfare of a member Team, League, Association or an individual.


 

b) Divulging confidential information that may include, but is not limited to the following:


 

  • Player injuries;

  • Transfers or other player movement;

  • Game strategies; or

  • Any other matter of sensitive nature to a member Team, League, Association or an individual


 

c) Negative or derogatory comments about any of the Team, League, Association or Softball Saskatchewan staff, programs, stakeholders, players, officials or coaches.


 

d) Any form of bullying, harassment or threats against players, coaches or officials.


 

e) Photographs, video or comments promoting negative influences or criminal behavior, including but not limited to:


 

  • Drug use,

  • Alcohol abuse;

  • Public intoxication,

  • Hazing,

  • Sexual exploitation, etc.


 

f) Online activity that contradicts the current policies of Softball Saskatchewan or any of its Leagues or Associations.


 

g) Inappropriate, derogatory, racist, or sexist comments of any kind, in keeping with the Softball Saskatchewan policies and regulations on these matters.


 

h) Online activity that is meant to alarm other individuals or to misrepresent fact or truth.


 


 


 


 


 

4. DISCIPLINE


 

The Team, League, Association and/or Softball Saskatchewan will investigate reported violation(s) of this policy in the manner set out in the Softball Saskatchewan Handbook for other types of violations. If the investigation determines that a violation has occurred, the Team, League, Association and/or Softball Saskatchewan Board of Directors will impose an appropriate suspension. Any appeal of the suspension will be dealt with as set out in the Softball Saskatchewan Handbook for other types of suspensions.


 


 

5. SUMMARY


 

When using social media and networking mediums, the Softball Saskatchewan community should assume at all times they are representing Softball Saskatchewan and/or its member Leagues or Associations or teams. All members of the Softball Saskatchewan community should remember to use the same discretion with social media and networking as they do with other traditional forms of media. Should the identity or image of any member of the Softball Saskatchewan community be used in Social Media and Networking without the Individual, Team, League or Association authorization, this is considered to be theft. Please notify the Softball Saskatchewan office immediately. Any use of a player or team member’s image or likeness without written consent of Softball Saskatchewan is strictly prohibited.