GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MLSA
1. Executive Committee:
All proposed legislation and any major changes regarding MLSA Softball Operations and Policies must first be reviewed by the 5 Member Executive Committee. The Executive Committee consists of the MLSA president, the president of MLSA Properties, Inc., the MLSA Commissioner, the Vice President of Operations and the Director of Marketing. Upon approval, this information, with their specific recommendations, will be forwarded to the Board of Governors for debate and vote. (see Number 2)
2. Governing Body:
The Board of Governors consists of the Majority Owner or one designated Representative per Club. A 75% vote is required to pass all legislation.
3. Player Representatives:
One Player from each Club, selected by the Players, will be designated as the Club’s Player Representative. This is not a Players’ “Union” but more of a Player’s Association / Grievance Committee.
4. Number of Clubs:
30 Clubs in three, ten Club Conferences. There will be two, five Club Divisions in each Conference.
5. Number of Regular Season Games:
There will be a 156 game schedule for the regular season.
96 games with teams in your own Division: 4 - 6 game series’ with each Club
60 games with teams in the other Division in your Conference. 2 - 6 game series’ with each Club
6. Length of Games:
All games are 9 innings. There are no time limits.
7. All Dates are Doubleheaders:
2 games on Friday night - start time: 6:15 PM; 2 games on Saturday - start time: 1:00 PM or 5:30 PM; 2 games on Sunday afternoon - start time: 12:30 PM. Times for Friday and Sunday are mandatory. Saturday times are recommendations only.
8. Club Rosters:
16 Players must be under contract and on the Club Roster at all times. Suggested Roster and Staff: (Clubs are required to have 16 active Players for each game) A 10 Man Developmental (Reserve) Roster is also required. These Players will not be paid unless they are activated for a game by their Club. Players will be paid on a pro-rated basis based on the number of games they are on the Active Roster.
6 Outfielders Manager
6 Infielders Bench Coach
2 Pitchers Trainer / Strength & Conditioning Coach
2 Catchers Equipment Manager
9. Number of Players in a Game:
10 on defense; 11 on offense (includes a Designated Hitter)
10. Umpires:
4 Umpires, selected by and under contract to the MLSA, will work each game. The majority of Umpires will have a background in both college baseball officiating and slow-pitch softball.
11. Official Scorers:
1 Official Scorer, selected by and under contract to the MLSA , will work each game.
12. MLSA Game Rules:
Games will be governed by a combination of current Professional Baseball Rules and Slow-Pitch Softball Rules in addition to rules written specifically for the MLSA.
13. The Playing Field:
All games will be played in minor league ballparks or college baseball stadiums. Outfield fences will not be shortened. The only change will be the distance from the pitching rubber to Home Plate, which will be 52'.
14. Pitch Count:
4 balls - 3 strikes; Foul after the second strike is an out.
15. Base Paths:
90’ Base Paths
16. Pitcher’s Mound:
52’ from the pitching rubber to home plate
17. Pitching Arc:
3’ Minimum from point of release - 10’ Maximum
18. Base Stealing:
Base stealing is permitted once the ball reaches the "LEADOFF LINE", which is located 20' in front of Home Plate
19. Player Eligibility:
All Players that have signed a professional contract with a MLSA Club are not permitted to play for any amateur teams. Players released from a MLSA Club may not be immediately eligible to return to amateur play. (Players should consult their local governing / sanctioning body officials for a ruling)
20. Official Bats:
The MLSA will designate “Official Bats of the MLSA”. These bats must have the official MLSA logo and must be purchased through the MLSA. All of these bats have been tested extensively and have been approved for use in the MLSA. All bats approved meet the 1.20 BPF standard. Bats not approved by the MLSA will not be allowed for League play.
21. Official Ball:
The Official MLSA Softball is a 12” .44 COR ball with 375 lbs. of compression. The ball for daytime games will be optic yellow with red and blue stitching. The ball for night games will be traditional white with red and blue stitching. The MLSA reserves the right to change the COR and Compression of the ball at any time without notice.
22. Disabled List:
7 day; 14 day; 21 day; 30 day; 60 day; Season. NONE are retroactive. The MLSA must be notified, in writing - via fax -of players placed on the Disabled List. Players must be activated no later than noon Wednesday in order to be eligible for the upcoming weekend games. Clubs are required to begin every series with a 16 man Active Roster.
23. Trades:
For the first three years all trades are subject to approval by both the Player and the MLSA.
24. Free Agency:
There will be no Free Agency in the MLSA for the first three years.
25. Ticket Prices:
$10.00 per date is recommended. Remember, ALL dates are doubleheaders!
26. Awards:
These awards, along with cash bonuses, will be presented for the following categories for the 2011 Season:
Division Champions Conference Champions MLSA Runner-Up MLSA Champion
DIVISION, CONFERENCE AND LEAGUE AWARDS
Most Valuable Player (MVP) Runs Scored Leader Batting Average Leader
Home Run Leader RBI Leader Hits Leader
Doubles Leader Triples Leader Stolen Base Leader
Gold Glove Awards: Best Fielding PCT / Other Considerations - 10 Defensive Positions
Best Earned Run Average (ERA) Save Leader - Pitching
Best Winning Percentage - Pitcher
WORLD SERIES MVP
27. 2011 Opening Weekend:
Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20. (Northern Clubs will be scheduled to play in the Southern cities for the first three weeks of the season whenever possible, to avoid playing in cold, inclement weather)
28. 2011 All-Star Game Weekend:
Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 3. Players are selected based on a formula of votes by players, managers, coaches and fans.
29. 2011 POST SEASON PLAY:
Division Championship Series: (Best of 5)
Top 2 Clubs in each Division Club with the best regular season record will open at home with a single game. Game 1 on Friday, September 30. A split doubleheader (games 2 and 3) will be on Saturday, October 1. If necessary, games 4 and 5 (split doubleheader) will be on Sunday, October 2 at the other Club’s city.
Conference Championship Series: (Best of 7)
The 2 Division Champions in each Conference Club with the best regular season record will open at home with a single game. Game 1 on Friday, October 7. A split doubleheader (games 2 and 3) will be on Saturday, October 8. A single game (game 4) will be on Sunday, October 9. If necessary, game 5 will be on Tuesday, October 11 at the other’s Club’s city. Game 6, if necessary, will be on Wednesday, October 12. Game 7, if necessary, will be on Thursday, October 13.
World Series - Round One: (Best of 7)
Conference Champion with the 2nd best regular season record will open at home against the Conference Champion with the 3rd best regular season record on Friday, October 14. Conference Champion with the best regular season record receives a first round bye. The same format as the Conference Championship Series will be used. Specific dates will be announced at a later date.
World Series - Finals: (Best of 7)
The World Series Finals opens at the home of the Club with the first round bye on Friday, October 21. The same format applies as the Conference Championship Series and Round One of the World Series.
Specific dates will be announced at a later date. |
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