Operating Rules – Mabel League

Mabel League Operating Rules – 2023

(revised May 2023)

Operating Rules:

Constitution and By-Laws
Definitions
Mabel League Structure and Divisions
Scheduling, Cancellations and Scores
Zero-Tolerance Alcohol Policy
Trans* Inclusion Policy
Umpires
Tournaments
LIL Tournament
Finals Tournament
Executive Member Roles and Job Descriptions
Subcommittees
Contribution Award
General

Constitution and By-Laws
- The Mabel League Operating and Playing Rules and Regulations are to be read in conjunction with the Mabel League Constitution and By-Laws. Where there is a conflict the Constitution and By-Laws prevail.
Definitions
- “Game Time” means the time at which a game is scheduled to commence;
- “Rules” means these Mabel League Operating and Playing Rules and Regulations;
- “League” means the Mabel League Women’s Fastpitch League Association;
- “New Team” means a team that was not registered to play in the League in the immediately preceding Season;
- “Home Team” is the team listed first in the schedule, and is responsible for accurately setting up bases at the games, prior to Game Time.
- “Rain Out Game” or “Rained Out Game” means any game that is called by the UIC or umpire due to bad or unsafe weather conditions or bad or unsafe field conditions
- “Umpire” means the person charged with officiating the softball game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and making judgment calls on plays.
- “Regular Season” means the regularly scheduled League games within the defined softball season for the Mabel League. It does not include the LIL Tournament or the Finals Tournament. For clarity of the Forfeit Bond, a Regular Season game includes a game that is rescheduled by the Executive due to Rainout or other reason.
- “Returning Team” means a team that was registered to play in the League in the immediately preceding Season;
- “Season” means an individual softball season;
- “SPN” means Slo Pitch National;
- “Meltdown” means the year starter social event.
- “LIL Tournament” or “LIL” refers to the 3-day tournament founded outside of the Mabel League, but operated by the Mabel League, in which outside teams are welcome to register and participate. Results from the LIL Tournament have no bearing on Regular Season standings.
- Terms defined in the Mabel League Bylaws have the same meaning when used in these Rules.
Mabel League Structure and Divisions
- The Mabel League is a senior D level women’s orthodox league.
- The Mabel League will consist of 3 divisions: competitive, intermediate and recreational.
- Returning Teams will be placed in divisions according to the previous Season’s final standings, as follows:
  - Average of rank in Regular Season and rank in Finals Tournament;
  - If tied, determine standings by comparing the Regular Season win/loss/tie record between the tied teams;
  - If still tied, determine standings by comparing the runs differential in all of the tied teams’ Regular Season games;
  - If still tied, determine standings by comparing run against in all of the tied teams’ Regular Season games;
- On or before a Team Registration Date, a Returning Team wanting to play in a division other than where it is allotted under paragraph 3(3) above must submit a written request to the Executive with an attached copy of its roster. The Executive will review the Returning Team’s letter, roster, player experience in the League and other leagues, and any other relevant factors to determine whether an adjustment should be made.
- On or before the Team Registration Date, a New Team registering to play in the League must submit a written request to the Executive with an attached copy of its roster, stating in which division it wishes to be placed. The Executive will review the New Team’s letter, roster, player experience in the League and other leagues, and any other relevant factors to determine in which division the New Team will be placed. Failure to submit such information will result in the New Team being placed at the bottom of the Recreational Division.
- Quality of fields will be distributed equally among teams of all divisions.
- A Member may register to play on more than one team, at the discretion of the Executive and pursuant to the following restrictions:
  - Members may register with a maximum of two teams.
  - A Member may register with a team at any time during a Season by signing up on that team’s Mabel League Team Roster Form and SPN Team Roster Form, and submitting those forms to the Executive. These forms must be completed and submitted to the Executive in order for the Member to have to have insurance coverage while playing for the team. Insurance coverage while playing for one team is not transferable to playing for another team.
  - Members registered on more than one team must declare one team to be their primary team, on their primary team’s Mabel League Team Roster Form.
  - Eligibility to play in different divisions:

(i) If a Member’s primary team is in the Competitive division, that Member may also register on a secondary team in the Competitive or Intermediate divisions, but may not play in a game against a Recreational division team;

(ii) If a Member’s primary team is in the Intermediate division, that Member may also register on a secondary team in any division;

(iii) If a Member’s primary team is in the Recreational division, that Member may also register on a secondary team in any division.

If two teams on which a Member is registered are playing against each other, that player may play for either team but must play for one team only for the duration of the game.
A team must not have more than four registered players who are also registered to play for a team in a higher division.

Scheduling, Cancellations, Scores and Standings
- The Statistician:
  - Will present a draft Regular Season schedule to all Team Representatives at or before the April Team Representative meeting, barring any extraordinary circumstances causing delay.
  - Will present a final Regular Season schedule to all Team Representatives within one week of the April Team Representative meeting, barring any extraordinary circumstances causing delay.
  - Will endeavor to schedule each team to play each other team in its division at least once per Regular Season.
  - Will endeavor to distribute games equally over days of the week for all teams and divisions, with consideration for special accommodations in paragraph 4(2).
  - Will present a draft tournament schedule at least 10 days prior to each tournament, barring any extraordinary circumstances causing delay.
  - Will present a final tournament schedule at least one week prior to each tournament, barring any extraordinary circumstances causing delay.
- Scheduling Transparency
  - Special accommodations for scheduling must be submitted in writing to the Executive prior to the due date announced at the first team rep meeting for the season.
  - Special accommodations will be decided on by the Executive.
  - All requested accommodations and decisions will be made available to league members on the website, on or before the date that the draft schedule is released.
- Rained Out / Called Games:
  - Three hours prior to Game Time, the UIC will decide whether to call a Rain Out Game. If a game is postponed due to a Rain Out, the UIC must notify the teams and Statistician via Facebook.
  - At Game Time, the Umpire will decide whether to call a Rain Out Game.
  - A game may also be called by the Umpire at any time if, in the Umpire’s sole discretion, the any of following conditions are present:
    - End of daylight playing time;
    - Unsafe field conditions; or
    - Any other situation that justifies calling the game.
  - When a game is called by the Umpire, the final score is the score listed at the end of the last complete inning played. If less than 5 complete innings were played before a game was called, the game must be replayed.
  - Rained Out games called by an Umpire at the field must be reported by the Home Team to the UIC and Statistician.
  - The Statistician will initiate rescheduling of a Rained Out Game within 48 hours of the originally scheduled game.
  - The Statistician will reschedule Rained Out Games according to availability of park time. Whenever possible, Rained Out games will be rescheduled for within two weeks of the originally scheduled game, or within the next available field time slot.
- Once the Regular Season game schedule has been approved by the League Committee, no team will be allowed to reschedule any game. Games will only be rescheduled due to Rain Outs or other extraordinary circumstances at the sole discretion of the Executive.
- At fields where double-headers are scheduled, the first game must end by the scheduled starting time of the second game.
- Reporting scores after games:
  - scores shall be reported via the Mabel League website “Report Scores” function;
  - the winning team (forfeit games included) must report the score within 24 hours of the conclusion the game. (Example 1: The game is played on the 14^th and ends at 8:10 p.m. – the score must be reported by 8:10 p.m. on the 15th. Example 2: The game is declared a forfeit by the umpire on the 14th at 6:40 p.m. – the forfeit must be reported by 6:40 p.m. on the 15^th.);
  - in the case of a tie, both teams must report the score within 24 hours of the conclusion of the game;
  - scores not so reported shall be recorded by the Statistician as a 0-0 tie.
- Forfeits
  - By the League Fee Due Date of a Season, each team must submit to the Executive a refundable Forfeit Bond, in an amount to be determined each Season by the Executive.
  - If a team forfeits fewer than three Regular Season games, that team’s full Forfeit Bond will be returned to the team at the end of the Season.
  - If a team forfeits three or more Regular Season games, that team’s full Forfeit Bond will be surrendered to the League.
  - If a team communicates its intention to forfeit a game but the game would have been rained out if not forfeited, then the game is considered a Rainout and not a forfeit, and will be rescheduled in accordance with Rainout policies.
- Standings throughout a Season will be determined as follows:

(a) Points awarded for each completed Regular Season game:

Win vs. a competitive team: 3 points
Tie vs. a competitive team: 1.5 points
Win vs. an intermediate team: 2 points
Tie vs. an intermediate team: 1 point
Win vs. a recreational team: 1 point
Tie vs. a recreational team: 0.5 points
Loss to any team: 0 points

(b) If two teams are tied after (a), compare the win/loss/tie record of those teams against each other in Regular Season play; and

(c) If three or more teams are tied after (a), or if two teams remain tied after (a) and (b), compare the teams’ runs differentials for all Regular Season games, to a maximum of 10 runs per game, counting only completed innings.

Zero-Tolerance Alcohol Policy
- In accordance with BC’s Liquor Control and Licensing Act, section 40(1), alcohol is not permitted to be consumed by players, coaches, managers or scorekeepers on or near fields where the Mabel League holds playing permits.

Liquor Control and Licensing Act, s.40(1):

“Except for liquor purchased and consumed in accordance with a licence that permits consumption in a public place, a person must not consume liquor in a public place.”

A breach of the Zero-Tolerance Alcohol Policy will be dealt in accordance with Part 2, Section 2 (4) of the Mabel League Constitution and By-Laws.

Trans* Inclusion Policy

(1) The Mabel League is committed to anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practices in relation to all people and will ensure that their rights are respected and protected.

(2) Please see Schedule B for the Trans* Positive Policy.

Umpires
- All Umpires will be the responsibility of the Umpire-in-Chief, in conjunction with the Vancouver Softball Umpires Association.
- All Umpires must be certified and insured through SPN.
- To encourage the recruitment and retention of Umpires officiating for the Mabel League, the League will provide a contribution towards clinic and registration fees for all Umpires who officiate a minimum of five (5) Regular Season League games in the Season in which the clinic was taken.
  - First year, Level 1 Umpires will receive full reimbursement for both clinic and SPN umpire registration fees.
  - Returning Umpires will receive reimbursement for clinic and registration fees up to a maximum of $80 per umpire, regardless of level attained.
  - The Umpire is required to provide a written, detailed request for re-imbursement, including the Umpire’s name, address, phone number, clinic location, lead instructor and detailed breakdown of costs (i.e. registration fee, clinic fee, etc.). Upon verification by the UIC that the Umpire has officiated a minimum of 5 Regular Season games that Season, a reimbursement cheque will be issued.
  - Fees will be reimbursed no later than at the Annual General Meeting following the end of the Season. Requests received after this date will not be considered, barring special circumstances.

Tournaments

The playoff format will be decided by the Executive.
Standings in each division’s round robin will be determined as follows:
- By counting wins (2 pt), ties (2 pt), losses (0 pt) for each team.
- If multiple teams in a division are tied after (a), placement will be determined by comparing head-to-head competition for the two teams. If there is not an equal comparison of head-to-head games for any of the teams involved in the tie, skip this comparison for all tied teams go to tie-break rule (c).
- If any teams in a division are tied after (b), placement will be determined by comparing the teams’ run differentials to a maximum of 10 runs per game.
- If any teams in a division are tied after (c), placement will be determined by comparing runs against, to a maximum of a 10 run differential per game.
- If any teams in a division are tied after (d), placement will be determined by a coin toss.
Game scores will be reported as follows:
- The winning team is responsible for submitting game scores, which must be clearly signed off by each team’s scorekeeper and must clearly show the runs scored in each inning by each team.
- Discrepancies in game scores will only be considered if the game score has not been signed off by each team’s scorekeeper and has not been submitted.
Tournament Rainout Procedure
- Rainouts will be determined through coordination with the league’s umpire in chief and the Umpire Association’s head umpire for the tournament.
- When some diamonds are playable and some are not, priorities of games will be considered with these factors in mind
  - where possible, ensuring teams play an equal amount of games; then
  - consider standings and prioritize games that impact who will play in the finals.

9. LIL Tournament

In order to play in a final game in the LIL Tournament, a player must have played at least one game with that team during the tournament, unless that player has three (3) Regular Season games with that team.

10. Finals Tournament

- A Player must have played a minimum of five (5) Regular Season games for a team to be eligible to participate in the Finals Tournament for that team, or supply a doctor’s certificate on appeal to the Executive.
- The playoff format will be decided by the Executive.
- The following trophies may be awarded for the Finals Tournament:
  - Finals Tournament standings: 1st & 2nd place in each Division.
Additional/alternate awards may be presented at the discretion of the Executive, including cash, gift certificates and gifts within reason considering the Mabel League budget.11. Executive Member Roles and Job Descriptions
- - - - The Directors and Officers of the League will constitute the Executive. The number and roles of the Executive may be changed from time to time as necessary. Currently there are 10 Directors and Officers elected at the AGM in the following positions:
        
        Chair;
        
        Co-Chair;
        
        Secretary;
        
        Treasurer;
        
        Statistician;
        
        Registrar;
        
        Public Relations;
        
        Special Events Manager;
        
        Umpire-In-Chief (“UIC”); and
        
        Fields Officer.
        
        Please see the attached Schedule A for the current job descriptions and responsibilities for the Executive roles.
Subcommittees
- Rules & Grievance Committee:
  - Will be formed annually at the first League Committee Meeting.
  - Will be chaired by the UIC and consist of the UIC, Co-Chair and one or more other Members, who will be appointed by the Executive.
  - Will establish the Mabel League Playing Rules and Regulations for the current season.
  - Will consider and rule on all grievances and protests, including regarding player eligibility.
  - Will monitor and take steps, on its own initiative, to ensure general compliance with the rules and spirit of the League.
  - If a grievance/protest involves the team of a member of the Rules & Grievance Committee, that person must withdraw from considering that grievance/protest.
- Meltdown Committee may be formed to organize the Meltdown season opener social event, in consultation with the Special Events Manager.
- LIL Tournament Committee may be formed to organize the LIL Tournament, in consultation with the Special Events Manager.
- Pride Committee may be formed to organize the League’s inclusion in Vancouver Pride events, in consultation with the Special Events Manager.
- WESA Challenge Committee may be formed to organize the WESA Challenge, in consultation with the Special Events Manager.
- Youth Committee may be formed to organize the League’s youth-oriented events, in consultation with the Special Events Manager.
Contribution Award
- The number of Contribution Points that will be awarded for each activity will be determined by the Executive prior to teams or Members volunteering for activities.
- For greater clarity, Contribution Points may be awarded for activities where a team keeps monies earned (i.e. raffles).
- The team(s) accumulating the most Contribution Points will be awarded the Mabel League Contribution Award and will receive a discount on Mabel League Fees for the next Season, the amount of which to be determined by the next Season’s Executive when producing the League budget.
General
- Each team must have current copy of all field permits in its possession at all games for proof of field usage rights.
- Each team must use a proper score book and clearly indicate players’ first and last names.
- The League will budget a meal allowance of $15.00 per person per meeting for Executive meetings.
- Ticket prices for any League or LIL Tournament social events will be on a sliding scale starting at $0.00, except where the event is hosted by an external venue/organization with a fixed ticket price (ie. a restaurant beer & burger).