Colonial East Ltd.

The Board of Directors acted on several By-Law additions prior to the 2014 Draft. The minutes from this meeting and further details can be found on the Meeting Minutes webpage.

Here is a summary of the new rules:

1. A player can only be intentionally walked once per game.
2. A batter hitting a ball over the outfield fence for a home run only needs to touch first base. Any players on base at the time need to touch the next base.
3. Players are allowed to use any glove in any fielding position.
4. Players are allowed to slide head first if they so choose. 

OLDE TYMERS SOFTBALL LEAGUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 21st, 2014

Prior to the draft meeting, the Board of Directors met to discuss some league business, draft rules and to clarify some by-laws and rules for play this season. Present were the managers of each team, several assistant managers and the Executive Committee.

1) Discussed the proposed By-Law addition to clarify the intentional walk procedures to be followed in 2014. The rules will stand as proposed. Clarification was discussed on what is an intentional walk. The wording in the proposed By-Law is self-explanatory, but to clarify what is intentional, it was pointed out that balls that are pitched near the plate, that could have been hit, do not constitute an intentional walk. The batter, after taking one intentional walk, may be walked again if, in the opinion of the umpire, he had chances to hit the ball but opted not to. When it is clear to the umpire that the pitcher is intentionally walking a batter after a first intentional walk, the umpire may invoke the penalties outlined in this By-Law 8.3.n addittion. Motion/second to approve, passed.

No individual batter shall be intentionally walked more than one time per game. If, in the umpire’s sole discretion, it is determined that a pitcher is intentionally attempting to walk the same individual a second time, the umpire shall require the pitcher to continue pitching without awarding a walk. If in the umpire’s opinion the pitcher is not making a valid effort to throw strikes, the umpire may award the batter second base. In this case all runners will advance as required. If, in the umpire's opinion, the pitcher continues to intentionally walk a batter a third time, he may remove the pitcher from the game. The umpire must provide one warning to the pitcher that continued failure to throw strikes will result in ejection. 

2) Discussed second proposed addition to By-Law 8.3.n, referencing a player hitting a ball over the fence and subsequently running the bases. After discussion, managers agreed that the batter who hits the ball over the fence only has to go and touch first base. Any players on the bases must proceed to and touch the next base, then they may proceed to the dugout. Motion/second to approve, passed.

When a batter strikes a ball that carries over the outfield fence for a home run, that batter needs only to advance to and touch first base for the home run to be counted. Any other runners on base at the time of the home run being struck shall touch the next base before leaving the field. Any missed bases shall be subject to an appeal play.

3) Discussed the use of gloves by pitchers and other players. The rules we have adopted for play in OTS SS-USA) limit the types of gloves some players can use (pitchers, for one). A motion was made by Dick Mullins and seconded by Grady Meredith that any player at any position may use any glove they desire. Motion passed.

4) Discussed sliding into bases. The existing rules state a player may not slide head first, except when returning to a base. Many thought it should be up to the runner, bearing in mind that if they go head first and use their shoulders to contact a fielder, they would be in violation of the rough practices section of the By-Laws. A motion was made by Buddy Robinson and seconded by Terry Shifflett to allow players to slide head first if they choose to. Motion passed.

 5) Managers were reminded that they need to appoint two players from their teams to be umpires. The annual umpire meeting is to be held on April 28, 2014 at 9:00 on Field 1.

6) Volunteers were requested for the Grounds Crew led by Johnny Allen.

7) Dick Mullins went over updates to the draft information sheet, which mainly included a couple of people who needed a rating to be included in the draft, clarification of one rating, and information related to a player who notified a manager this morning that he may not be available much this year.

8) The draft was started, with Keith Purdy and Tom Wendorf running the draft. 128 players were drafted onto 12 teams. Along with managers and sponsors, a total of 156 players were assigned to 12 teams (13 players per team).

Today was Draft Day, and teams have been selected. Below are the rosters as well as the practice schedule for the new teams, which starts tomorrow. The regular season schedule for 2014 will be out shortly.

Downloads here:

2014 Rosters

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The OTS By-Laws have been updated to include changes approved at the September 13, 2013 and March 31, 2014 Board of Directors Meetings. They can be viewed and/or downloaded here or by utilizing the Handout link below.

The OTS League is governed by these By-Laws, the Senior Softball USA rulebook and the American Softball Association Bat Rules. The SS-USA rulebook can be viewed and/or downloaded. The view and/or download the ASA Bat Rules, access the ASA Website and click on the Certified Equipment tab.