SOUTH BERWICK ROLLINSFORD ELIOT LITTLE LEAGUE (SBRELL) SOFTBALL PROGRAM

BY-LAWS

LAST UPDATED AND REVIEWED: MARCH 21, 2023

SBRELL shall operate under the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball, Incorporated.  The Board shall also write, adopt and enforce any special rules deemed necessary in order to further the best interest of the players it represents. These special rules and regulations will supersede Little League rules and regulations. These By-Laws may be amended, repealed, or altered in whole or in part by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire SBRELL Board at any regular or special meeting or by a simple majority at a general membership meeting, provided proposed changes are submitted in writing to all Board members at least 1 (one) month prior to the meeting at which the vote is to occur. 

RULE I - PLAYING RULES

Unless specified elsewhere, playing rules shall follow:

Official rules published by Little League Baseball, Incorporated 

RULE II - LEAGUE COMPOSITION

SBRELL shall endeavor to offer the following programs for children in our community.

• T-Ball League - shall be any player league age 4-6 years old.

• Mini League - shall be any player league age 6-8 years, with a minimum of 1 (one) year playing experience at the T-Ball level or its equivalent as determined by the SBRELL Board.  This league will start with coach pitch and/or machine pitch. By the end of the season some of the more advanced and older girls can do player pitch. Player pitch will need to be agreed upon by both leagues participating in the game. After 5 balls, coach pitch will take over until the end of that inning. 

• Minor League - shall be any player league age 8-10 years, with a minimum of 1 (one) year playing experience at the Mini League level or its equivalent as determined by the Board.  This league will do player pitch.  

• Major League - shall be any player league age 10-12 years. This league will do player pitch. 

For any player on the cusp of each league (e.g. 6, 8, 10) the Player Agent and League Vice President will determine the appropriate level of play for each late registered candidate. The number of players per team will not be less than 8.  

RULE III - TEAM OFFICIALS

Each team shall have one (1) manager and no more than two (2) coaches.  The final list of proposed managers for each team in each League will be provided for review to the President, who will then make nominations to the Board.  Managers and coaches will perform their duties in the manner prescribed by the Little League rules and by the SBRELL Constitution & By-Laws, and must be certified by Little League Baseball, Incorporated.

All coaches and managers are required to attend a mandatory coaches meeting.  All coaches and managers are required to complete the coaches’ certification course provided by Little League Baseball, Incorporated prior to SBRELL Opening Day.  If a manager or coach fails to perform his/her duties in a manner conducive to the proper operation of SBRELL or the proper functioning of his/her team, said manager or coach may be suspended from their duties by the President pending a meeting of the SBRELL Board to act on this suspension.

If a manager resigns or is relieved of their duties, the coach or coaches of that team may submit a name to the SBRELL Board for approval as manager.  After considering recommendations from current managers and coaches, the SBRELL Board will appoint acceptable candidates to fill any manager or coaching vacancy. 

RULE IV - TRYOUTS AND PLAYER DRAFT

If needed, dates for registration, tryouts and player draft will be established by the SBRELL Board, and will be conducted in a manner prescribed by the Little League Handbook.

RULE V - TEAM EXPANSION OR DELETION

In the event that SBRELL has to expand or decrease a team, existing and/or newly-created teams will be organized by the SBRELL Board in a manner that will allow the teams to be balanced according to talent level.

RULE VI - LEAGUE -OFFICIALS - AUTHORIZED DUTIES FOR THE LEAGUE

All members of the SBRELL Board may act as managers, coaches, and umpires for any SBRELL league game provided they have the proper training and certification required for that position.  Home plate umpires cannot have a daughter participating in the game they are officiating without the approval of both team managers involved in that game.

RULE VII – PLAYER CALL UP

Selection of players from one league to fill out a team in another league shall be done by a committee consisting of the Vice-President of the league from which the player is coming, the Player Agent, and the President of SBRELL.

RULE VIII - SPECIAL LEAGUE RULES

Playing rules outside of the official Little League rules can be proposed to the Vice President and submitted to the SBRELL Board for approval.  These rules will be written and circulated to all managers and coaches of the league and strictly enforced by the league’s Vice-President.

RULE IX  - ALL STAR TEAMS

Managers and coaches for All Star season shall be nominated by the President to the SBRELL Board.  The All Star age groupings can be reviewed each year by the Board and restructured based on the number of players interested in and qualified to participate. 

RULE X - LOCAL OPTIONS

A.  Ten (10) Run Rule: Games will be terminated once becoming regulation if one team is ahead by ten (10) or more runs and has had equal times at bat or the home team is leading.

B.  On Deck Batter: On deck batters will be allowed only at the Minor & Major League Level and only in a fenced area off the playing field.

C.  Caged Helmets: Caged Helmets are optional for all batters at all league levels.

D.  Dugout/Bench Protocol: A team dugout/bench area is to be used only by one (1) manager, two (2) coaches, and participating players in uniform during regular season and playoff games. Spectators are not permitted on the bench or in the dugout area.

E.  Must Play Rule: Every player on a team roster, and present at the start of the game, will play a minimum of 9 defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time.  This rule will be waived for a game that ends because of the Ten (10) Run Rule or is suspended by the Umpire-in-Chief of that game.

F.  Players Jewelry: Players must not wear watches, pins, rings, jewelry or other metallic items. Exception:  Jewelry that alerts medical personnel to a specific condition is permissible.

G.  Extra Hitter: A tenth batter is allowed at the Major League level only.  This batter will then be required to play in the field for 3 innings, replacing an existing fielder.  Batting order will stay the same, positions will just be switched. 

PENALTY

Any player or coach who violates any rule(s) outlined by SBRELL or Little League Baseball Incorporated may be subject to a penalty. The board reserves the right to review any and all penalties for further sanctions, suspension or expulsion as deemed appropriate by the board. 

The Player(s) involved shall:

1. Start the next scheduled game

2. Play any previous requirement not completed

3. Play the requirement for this game before being removed.

The Manager involved shall:

1. First Offense - receive a written warning from the League V.P.

2. Second Offense - a suspension from the next scheduled game.

3. Third Offense - removed as a manager or any other official of SBRELL.

Note:  If the violation is determined to have been intentional by the Vice President and the Board, #1 and #2 can be waived and the manager removed immediately.