Longmont Recreation

LONGMONT RECREATION ADULT SOFTBALL RULES

LEAGUE INFORMATION

League rules, information, and schedules are available at www.teamsideline.com/longmont or at the Longmont Recreation Center.
Team and free agent registrations are only accepted at the Longmont Recreation Center or on-line at www.longmontcolorado.gov/recreation.
All games are played at Garden Acres Park, 2058 Spencer St.

DAYS OF PLAY

Tuesdays: Kickball
Wednesdays: Men's E, Men's R
Thursdays: Men's E, Men's R, and Women's R
Fridays: Coed E, Coed R, Coed L

FEES (2026)

Fees are payable at Longmont Recreation Center Front Desk or online- www.longmontcolorado.gov/recreation.

Team Fees (per season)

$380 Spring Early-Bird or $430 Spring Standard/6 games
$610 Summer Early-Bird or $660 Summer Standard/10 games
$500 Fall Early-Bird or $550 Fall Standard/8 games
$20 Late Registration Fee
$20 Split-Payment Option- Half or more of the team fee plus the $20 split-payment option is due upon registration. The remaining balance is due prior to the 3^rd game.

Player Fees

$46/$57.50 Free Agent Fee Spring season (resident/non-resident)
$60/$75 Free Agent Fee Summer season (resident/non-resident)
$53/$66.25 Free Agent Fee Fall season (resident/non-resident)
$10 One-time Player Fee/player/game
$20 Additional Player Fee/player/team
$25/$50 Player Ejection Fee- 1^st occurrence/2^nd occurrence in a season

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sports Office: 303-774-3527, sports@longmontcolorado.gov
Longmont Recreation Center: 303-774-4800
Weather Line: 303-774-4400, Recorded message updated with date and time if games are canceled.

GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT

The City of Longmont Recreation reserves the right to change any and all rules, regulations and policies whenever due cause warrants a change. When a change is made, all managers of teams affected by such a change will be notified immediately. All league rules will be enforced by Recreation Program Administrators, Game Officials and/or Longmont Recreation Staff.
All Team Managers are responsible for the information contained in this manual, as well as any other information that is emailed or distributed by the Recreation Program Administrators. Team Managers are responsible for sharing all information with team participants.
The purpose of this league, sponsored by the City of Longmont Recreation, is to combine the interest of softball teams in the community, to provide friendly competition, and regulate fair play. Any questions concerning softball schedules, standings, game results, rosters, umpires, rule interpretations, or any other concerns not stated, should be directed to the Recreation Program Administrators through the Sports Office at 303-774-3527 or sports@longmontcolorado.gov.

RECREATION STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide a schedule of games (regular season, weather cancellations and end-of-season tournament).
Provide softballs and score cards.
Provide at least one umpire and field supervisor.
Provide all necessary personnel to handle maintenance and other duties as needed.
Keep a record of all games played.
Handle all misconduct situations within the guidelines stated in the “Code of Conduct”.

TEAM MANAGER RESPONSIBILITY

Follow all league rules as stated, including code of conduct.
Be responsible for full payment of fees.
Inform all team members of the information contained in this manual and/or any other material provided by the Recreation Program Administrators.
Inform all team members of game times, dates, and locations.
Ensure that all team members are recorded on the official online roster. Players are not allowed to be on more than one roster per division per season.
Monitor roster, including changes and additions throughout the season.
Be responsible for the actions of the team while participating.
Notify the Recreation Program Administrator of any changes to team manager information.
Be aware of all information provided by the athletics staff (make-up schedules, tournament information, league standings, etc.)
Submit team’s line-up on score card ten minutes before game time with the first and last name.
Notify Recreation Program Administrators or Game Officials of forfeits.
Inform Recreation Program Administrators of any questions, concerns, or comments.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, and continues until the deadline or until the league is full, whichever comes first. Payment is required upon registering, either in full or using the spilt payment option. All checks should be payable to the City of Longmont.

LEVEL OF PLAY

The Adult Softball League is recreational in nature. We offer recreation and competitive divisions for men’s & coed, as well as a leisure for coed, and recreation for women’s (except in the spring). If there are an ample number of teams registered in a season, the divisions may be spilt into sublevels, for example- R1, R2, L1, L2 and/or upper and lower tournament brackets. We also may combine leagues if numbers are low. The Recreation Program Administrators will enforce proper classification of teams and/or player(s) and have the discretion of moving or placing a team in a division deemed appropriate. If the Game Officials notice that a team and/or player(s) are too skilled for the level of play that they are in, they will notify the Recreation Program Administrators. A team may move up or down accordingly or remove select players as needed.

To help determine the proper classification of your team, use the following guidelines. Note: If your team took 1^st or 2^nd in a previous season you should plan to move up to the next division.

E League – Competitive: Highest level of competition. Teams are interested in competition with most players having 5 or more years of playing experience. Established teams. Home run rule is 2 more home runs than the other team/all others are outs.

R League – Recreational: Teams are interested in fun and friendly competition. New teams or teams comprised of players with a broad range of playing experience, this league can have a large range of players from beginner to advanced. A maximum of four (4) E league players are permitted on a R league roster. Home run rule is 1 home run allowed, all others are outs.

L League – Leisure: Lowest level of competition. Teams are interested in FUN ONLY. Teams are comprised mostly of players with some knowledge of the game and little to no playing experience. No E league players are permitted on an L league roster. L league teams may not have more than four (4) R league players from the same R league team. Home runs are not allowed and end the inning immediately.

ELIGIBILITY RULES

All players must be sixteen (16) years of age to participate in Adult Softball. Current-season interscholastic high school and college baseball/fastpitch players are not eligible for City of Longmont league play nor is anyone playing in a semi-pro league, whether in season or not.
Players must be officially listed on the team roster.
Players may not play on more than one team in the same division. They may play in more than one division games will not have a delayed start to accommodate players on multiple teams.
Players must not be under a current suspension.

TEAM ROSTER

Team rosters are managed through Team Sideline, instead of paper roster forms. Team Managers will receive instructions on how to set up their team’s roster. All managers and players must have an email.
A team roster, with a minimum of ten (10) players, is required from each team prior to the start of their first game. A roster is limited to no more than sixteen (16) players. Rosters are open through the 4th game of the spring season and through the regular season for summer and fall, but frozen through the playoffs. After rosters are frozen, teams may only add one-time players to avoid forfeits.
Additional Player- teams wishing to roster more than sixteen (16) players must pay an additional fee of $20 per player, which is payable at the Longmont Recreation Center front desk or online, no money will be accepted at the fields. Proof of payment should be provided to Field Supervisor.
One-time Player- teams wishing to add a player for only one game may do so only to avoid a forfeit or to reach a maximum of 10 players for the night. The cost is $10 per player payable at the Longmont Recreation Center front desk or online; proof of payment should be provided to Field Supervisor. Paper Add/Drop forms can be obtained from the Field Supervisor. Team Managers must present the signed form and proof of payment to the field supervisor before the start of the game. One-time add-ons may only be added to reach the player limit or for injury, not to replace an ejection. One-time players will not be listed on the team’s official roster.
Illegal Player- one who has not been officially added to a team's roster. If a player is found to be illegal, then the team will forfeit the games in which the illegal player has participated in; and the manager will be suspended for one week/game.

o Players should always have a photo I.D. available for identification at games. Roster checks may be done by field supervisors without notice.

o Roster checks will be done for all winner’s bracket games through the playoffs.

o A game may be finished if a player is missing their ID pending submission of their ID to the Sports Office within one (1) business day.

INCLEMENT WEATHER/GAME CANCELLATIONS

Check the Weather Line at (303) 774-4400 or Team Sideline for the most up to date game status information.

· Games canceled due to inclement weather will be rescheduled on the same league night, if possible. However, make-up games may be scheduled on weekends or on different days if no other time is available. Managers will be notified of the scheduled make-up game.

· The decision regarding game status is as follows:

o Prior to 3:30 pm, the decision is made by Athletics Maintenance Staff.

o Between 3:30 and 5:30pm, the decision is made by Recreation Program Staff.

o After 5:30pm, the decision is made by the Field Supervisor.

· If a game is called due to darkness, inclement weather, or adverse fields conditions, the game is considered complete after four (4) whole innings (or 3½ if the home team is ahead). If a game is postponed before it can be considered a complete game, the game will be made up from the point of suspension. If a game is cancelled before one inning is complete, the game will re-start from the beginning.

GAME FORFEITS

A minimum of eight (8) players must be ready to take a defensive position at the beginning of the coin toss or their team will be required to be the visiting team and bat first. If the visiting team does not have 8 players at the conclusion of the first ½ inning, the game will be declared a forfeit. Games will not be delayed waiting for players playing on another field. The umpire’s decision is final on forfeiture of any game. If a forfeit occurs, the team(s) scheduled for that field may practice until ten minutes before the scheduled start of the next game on the field without the use of staff.

No Show/No Call Forfeits- If a team is unable to play in a scheduled game, the team manager should inform Recreation Staff as a courtesy to the opposing team and Game Officials. If a team fails to call or show for two scheduled games, the team will be removed from the league without refund.

o Acceptable notification is a call/voicemail or email message to the Recreation Program Administrator through the Sports Office at 303-774-3527

o or sports@longmontcolorado.govbefore 5:00 PM on the day of a game.

o After 5:00 PM, managers should call the Longmont Recreation Center at 303-774-4800 AND speak to Staff so they can notify Game Officials of a game forfeit that evening.

Once a team manager has forfeited a game, the decision cannot be reversed.

UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT

· Players should have similar colored jerseys with a visible, contrasting number. A t-shirt is acceptable.

· Tennis shoes, plastic/molded rubber cleats are allowed. Metal cleats, boots, sandals, crocs or bare feet are not acceptable for game play.

· Safety equipment, including a mask, shin guards, and chest protector for pitchers, is strongly recommended but not required. All players are encouraged to wear protective equipment as it pertains to their position, ability level, and pre-existing conditions.    

· Equipment (bats, gloves, mitts, catcher’s gear, uniforms, etc.), must be furnished by the team or player. All bats must comply with USSSA rules regarding legal bats (refer to usssa.com) and have a visible USSSA stamp. All equipment is subject to inspection and players are at risk of ejection if they are found to be using an illegal, altered, or damaged bat.

· Jewelry, consisting of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, watches, rings, or any other exposed items that are judged to be hazardous or potentially dangerous by the umpire, should not be worn during the game. If an umpire deems that a piece of jewelry is unsafe to the participant or to others, they may require that the player remove the jewelry or leave the game. The decision of the umpire is final and any player failing to comply with the umpires ruling is at risk of being ejected. 

STANDINGS/TIE BREAKER CRITERIA

Standings will be determined by win/loss percentage. If two or more teams are tied for any place at the end of league play, the following will be utilized to determine who qualifies for the higher seed for the tournament:

1. Game winning percentage of league play.

2. Teams forfeiting any game during the season automatically lose any tiebreaker.  

3. If two teams are tied, head-to-head competition determines higher seed. If still tied, then the team with fewer runs against takes higher seed.

4. If three or more teams are tied, and have played each other the same number of times, head-to-group competition determines higher seed. If tied still, the team with fewer runs against takes higher seed.

5. If three or more teams are tied and have not played each other the same number of times, higher seed is the team that has the fewest runs against on the season.

6. If teams are still tied, the total runs for are tallied for the season.

7. If teams are still tied, higher seed is determined by coin toss.

AWARDS

League winners will receive t-shirts.
Tournament winners will receive a team trophy plaque (no tournament for spring season).

FACILITY RULES

· Glass containers are prohibited in City parks.

· Players and spectators are requested to refrain from bringing their dogs to the ball fields. Dogs shall not be left unattended, tied, or without a leash.

· Do not hit balls into any fences or backstops.

· Infield practice is not allowed on the dirt portion of the infield before or between games.

· The supervision of children at the park is the responsibility of the parents.

· Only players and managers should be in the dugout during the games.

· Players and spectators are asked to refrain from playing music within the ballfield complex.

MISCELLANEOUS

· Player Conduct – players are responsible for always maintaining standards of good sportsmanship. Profanity, drinking, abusive or foul language, disrespect, and physical violence will not be tolerated; violators will be removed from the game and asked to leave the facility.

· Team Managers – The team manager listed on the team roster is the only person to act as such and the only one who should communicate with the Game Officials and Recreation Program Administrators during and outside of games. If the Team Manager is absent, a substitute or replacement must be named. Notify the Game Officials and Recreation Program Administrators of changes.

· Blood Rule – A player who has any visible blood must be removed from the game. Before re-entering:

o blood flow must be stopped,

o wound(s) must be covered, and

o any clothing that has blood on it must be changed.

PROTEST

A game protest can only be made when it is felt that there has been a misinterpretation of the rules. Differences of opinion about the official’s judgment do not constitute grounds for a protest. The Team Manager of the protesting team shall immediately notify the Game Officials and opposing Team Manager that the game is being continued under protest. A formal protest must be submitted to the Sports Office at the Longmont Recreation Center before 5:00 PM of the next business day after the game. The Recreation Program Administrator will have the final decision as to whether the protest should be upheld. NO PROTEST WILL BE CONSIDERED unless it contains the following information:

Date, time and place of game,
All essential facts involved in the protest situation, and
$50 protest fee (fee will be refunded only if protest is upheld).

SPECIFIC GAME RULES

USSSA rules will govern play with the following exceptions:

· Score Card- Managers must have the score card completed and given to umpire 10 minutes prior to the start of the game. Score card should include legibly written first and last legal names; NO NICKNAMES.

o All players on the score card must bat.

o Players may play in any position defensively.

o At game time, if a team has not turned in a complete and accurate score card, the opposing team is declared “Home Team” and will take the field to begin the game.

o Any player that arrives late is placed at the end of the score card (or in the proper position in the case of a coed team).

o If a player is injured or must leave the game for any reason, their name will be scratched from the score card and will remain so for the duration of the game. No out will be called for a player who must leave the game, unless the player has been ejected.

o Only rostered players and coaches are permitted in the dugouts and contest area during games.

o When a team is on offense, only the batter, player on deck, and two (2) base coaches are permitted outside the dugout in the contest area once the umpire signals to play.

· Official Game- Games will last seven (7) innings or 55 minutes. No new inning will begin after 50 minutes. Umpires are the official timekeepers and will utilize the score clock (when available). A game will be considered a complete game, and no inning will start if:

o at the completion of seven (7) innings (6½ if the home team is ahead) or 50 minutes.

o a team leads by twenty (20) runs after 3 innings (2½ if the home team is ahead) or 35 minutes.

o a team leads by fifteen (15) runs after 4 innings (3½ if the home team is ahead) or 45 minutes.

o a team leads by ten (10) runs after 5 innings (4½ if the home team is ahead) or 50 minutes or any inning thereafter.

· Flip Flop Rule- In effect at the completion of the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th inning prior to the inning that a run rule would end the game only if the visiting team is winning by the impending run rule (10, 15 or 20 runs) and the home team is losing.

o Home team remains at-bat in the top of the 3^rd, 4th, or 5th inning and becomes the visiting team.

o If the team (new visiting team) does not score enough runs to reduce the run difference below the run rule, the game is over. 

o If they reduce the run difference to below the run rule, then the new home team will bat.

o Game continues with this format until time runs out, 7 innings are played, or run rule ends the game.

o If the situation reverses, the teams will flip/flop again.

· Extra Innings- All games tied after the time or inning limit is reached will start the first extra inning with the last player who batted in the previous inning on second base and with no outs. If after one full extra inning, the game is still tied, the last player who completed their at-bat from the previous inning will start on third base. All extra innings following will start with a runner on 3rd base.

· Pitching Rules- Pitchers are strongly encouraged to prioritize their safety over fielding a ball.

o Pitchers may wear their own protective equipment- face masks/helmets, shin/chest guards.

o The pitcher must release ball from the pitching area, which includes the pitching plate. The pitching area is the width of the plate and extends up to six (6) feet behind the plate.

o Pitchers will have 5 seconds to pitch the ball once the umpire as signaled play ball.

o After assuming the pitching position in the pitching area, the pitcher must present the ball in front of body (for at least one second) in either one or both hands before starting the delivery motion.

o Prior to pitching and upon releasing the ball, the pitcher shall take a position with at least one foot firmly on the ground and in contact with the pitching area.

o If a ball hit up the middle is deemed intentional by the umpire, the following consequences may occur:

§ Warning for misconduct to player, team or both teams

§ Call the batter out and eject the batter

§ All calls are based on the judgment of the umpire.

· Homeruns- On a fair fly ball hit over the fence for a home run, the batter and all base runners are credited with a score. The batter and any runner on base do not need to advance and touch the bases. They should go directly to the dugout area. This would eliminate any baserunning appeals. This includes the four-base award.

· Ball Retrieval- All teams must retrieve their own balls that are hit/thrown outside of the fenced playing area, home runs, foul balls, over-throws, whether it is an out or inning-ending situation. If a team does not retrieve their ball hit/thrown out of play in a reasonable amount of time, the umpire will retrieve the ball while the game clock continues to run. The umpire will also warn the team that their next home run may result in an out.

· Re-Entry- All players may re-enter a game but must remain in the same spot in the batting order. There is no limit to the number of times a player can go out and re-enter a game.

· Courtesy Runner- In non-coed leagues, teams are allowed one courtesy runner per inning. Coed teams are allowed one courtesy runner per gender per inning (runner must be same gender as batter). As per USSSA rule, any player on the team’s score card may be the courtesy runner. If the courtesy runner is on base when it is their turn to bat, they will be called out on base and must take their turn at bat.

Exceptions to Courtesy Runner rule:

o If a player must be removed from the game to adhere to the Blood Rule, they may have a courtesy runner until that player has met the requirements for re-entry.

o Players with disabilities will have the opportunity to have a courtesy runner or other accommodation made if needed, with approval from the Recreation Supervisor. Notify the field supervisor and umpire before the game begins in this case.

· Thrown Bat- A player who unintentionally throws a bat will receive a warning; on a second occurrence, the player will be ejected. A player who intentionally or flagrantly throws a bat will be ejected, regardless if the bat hits a person or not. A bat that is thrown and hits a fence will result in an ejection.

· Ejections- Players, coaches, or spectators may be removed from a game by any Recreational Staff for not following Code of Conduct rules or for unsafe actions or behavior during game play.

o If a team is reduced due to ejection, that player’s spot will be charged with an out each time it comes up in the batting order unless a legal rostered sub that is not already in the lineup is available. One-time additions are not permitted to replace an ejected player.

o A team may continue after one ejection with a minimum of 8 players. Any team with two ejections in a game will forfeit that game.

o Any player, coach, manager, or spectator who is ejected from a game is automatically ineligible for that team's next game and all league play for a minimum of one week (in the case of a spectator, they are not allowed to attend games for next 7 days).

o Any player, coach, manager or spectator who is ejected from two (2) games in a season will be suspended from all league play (or attendance in the case of a spectator) for the remainder of the season pending review by the athletics rules committee.

o Any player, coach, manager or spectator who is ejected from three (3) games in a year will be suspended from all league play (or attendance in the case of a spectator) for a year pending review by the athletics rules committee.

o Ejected participants will have 2 minutes to gather their belongings and exit the facility. Patrons unwilling to leave may cause their team to forfeit.

o Return to Play Fee- Participants ejected from play must pay $25 (for 1st Ejection in the calendar year), $50 (2nd Ejection in the calendar year), or $100 (for 3rd Ejection in the calendar year) to return to play. This fee does not expire and must be paid prior to returning to any athletic programs in the city. Payments are accepted at the Longmont Recreation Center front desk or online; proof of payment should be provided to Game Officials.

COED RULE ADAPTATIONS

· A 12" softball will be used in league play.

· The batting order will alternate male/female or female/male until all males are listed in the line-up. Females may bat back-to-back at the end of the line-up if a team is playing with more females than males. TEAMS MUST STICK TO LINE UP TURNED IN AT BEGINNING OF GAME – NO ROTATING GENDERS THROUGH BATTING ORDER.

· If a team has 5 males and 4 females, they may play 9 on defense only by taking an out each time the 5th female player’s place comes up in the line-up. Whenever a team has 5 & 4, the gender with 5 must bat first. This rule applies only to teams with 9 players and does not carry over for teams playing with more than 9 and playing with extra males. Teams playing with extra males and 10+ players may have male batters share a line in the batting order and they will alternate at bats.

· If a male walks, intentionally or otherwise, he goes to second base. The following female in the batting order has the option to walk or bat. If a female walks, intentionally or otherwise, she goes to first base. The following male in the batting order must bat.

· If a female is injured and cannot be substituted for, the manager has the following options.  

· If there are more females batting at the bottom of the order, the last batter is moved up to fill the vacant spot but only if the alternating order is not disturbed.

· The batting order can remain as is, removing the female batter and not pulling out the male batter. An out is recorded each time the injured female’s spot comes up in the order.

· The team may pull one of the male batters either in front or behind the injured female’s spot to maintain the alternate batting order with no penalty.

· There are no restrictions in positioning of players by gender in the coed division.

· All four (4) outfielders must remain behind the 175' line until the ball is hit. All infielders must start on the dirt of the infield until the ball is hit. This applies to both male and female batters. Penalty – batter and any baserunners will be awarded one base.

CODE OF CONDUCT

No person shall: at any time verbally or physically abuse/intimidate a Recreation employee, participant or spectator. In addition, no person shall be guilty of using unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body and person of another.
No person shall: refuse to abide by an official's decision, nor disrespectfully or incessantly question the officials’ judgment or calls.
No person shall: appear at the contest area under the influence of alcohol or drugs, nor consume alcohol, illicit drugs or tobacco during play.

ADDITIONAL RULES

Anyone taunting, using abusive, foul, or threatening language/gestures, or physical violence toward another person will be ejected from the game and, if necessary, from the league.
ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, AND/OR OTHER ILLICIT DRUGS ARE NOT PERMITTED in/at any City facility, INCLUDING in the contest area (ballfield/court) and parking lots. Penalty may be forfeit of the game.
Tobacco products are prohibited from use in the contest area (ballfield/court). Penalty may be the forfeit of the game.
Any team or individuals misusing the facilities may be removed from the league with no refund of fees.

PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND/OR RULES

Minimum: removal (ejection) from play in the current game and suspension from all games through the following week.

Maximum: penalty shall be determined by the Program Administrator and/or the Recreation Supervisor. Offenders may be suspended from further league play. Anyone striking another person will be subject to a season/year suspension or more depending on the severity.

If a player or team receives repeated ejections for unsporting behavior in a season or repeated seasons, then this individual or team may be subject to prolonged suspension determined by the athletics staff.

TWO MINUTE CLAUSE An ejected or suspended person has two minutes to remove themselves from the facility. If this time limit is not met, the contest may be forfeited to the opponents. Law enforcement will be contacted if any person continues to cause disruption.

ELASTICITY CLAUSE To provide for the recreational enjoyment of players, coaches, and spectators, any enforcement procedures which are not stated herein may be provided by the Recreation Division as is deemed necessary.

DEFINITIONS

Coach – team spokesperson who is the only person allowed to discuss a decision with officials. The coach may be a player or nonplayer.

Player – person who actively participates in the game, sits on the bench, or who is on the roster.

Contest Area –area in which a game is played.

Spectator – person who watches a game for entertainment with no physical involvement.

City of Longmont Activity –event hosted by the City of Longmont Recreation Division.

Program Administrator – employee of the City of Longmont Recreation directly responsible for the activity.

Abuse – includes but not limited to obscene gestures, heckling, verbally attacking, threatening and/or laying a hand upon, shoving, hitting or striking eatening and/or laying a hand upon, shoving, hitting or striking

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