Bylaws

BYLAWS OF THE SIOUX FALLS WOMENS SLOWPITCH ASSOCIATION (SFWSA)

ARTICLE I: NAME

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE IV: BOARD ORGANIZATION

Section 1. Officers

Section 2. Duties of Officers

Section 3. Salaries

ARTICLE V: LEAGUE VOTING

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

ARTICLE VII: ROSTERS

ARTICLE VIII: LEAGUE ORGANIZATION

Section 1. League Divisions

Section 2. Min number of games

Section 3. Issuance of Schedules

ARTICLE IX: GAME PLAY

Section 1. Rules

Section 2. Line-up Cards

Section 3. Start/Duration of Game

Section 4. Number of players needed to start 

Section 5. Run Rule

Section 6. Stealing

Section 7. Pinch Runners

Section 8. Playoffs and makeup games

Section 9. Pick Up Players

Section 10. Rescheduling of postponed games

Section 11. Starting count/foul ball rule

Section 12. Homerun limits

Section 13. In the event of a tie

Section 14. Safety Policy

Section 15. Alcohol and tobacco policy

ARTICLE X: UNIFORM POLICY

ARTICLE XI: UMPIRES

ARTICLE XII: DIVISION CHAMPIONS

ARTICLE XIII: STATE TOURNAMENT

ARTICLE XIV: FORFEITS

ARTICLE XV: MISCONDUCT

ARTICLE XVI: AMENDMENTS

Revision History

ARTICLE I: NAME

1. The name of this association shall be The Sioux Falls Women’s Slowpitch Association.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE

1. The objective of this Association shall be the promotion of slowpitch softball in Sioux Falls, SD. This Association will also aid in developing slowpitch softball in accordance with the spirit of sportsmanship, honesty, and fair play.

2. In addition, this Association shall be a branch of USA Softball of South Dakota and shall abide by their rules and by-laws as well as the rules and By-laws of USA Softball.

3. This Association reserves the right to add, remove, or modify rules that would benefit local players while playing in this league.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in this organization is open to all managers, coaches, sponsors and players of registered teams in Minnehaha County and surrounding areas.

ARTICLE IV: BOARD ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1. Officers

A. The officers of the Association shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

B. An Area Commissioner will be assigned by the State Board.

C. Each member of the Board of Officers shall have full voting rights in the transaction of matters before the Board.

D. Terms of office will be two (2) years with yearly elections of President and Treasurer alternating with Vice-President and Secretary. Number of terms will be limited to two consecutive two (2) year terms in the same office.

E. Officers shall be elected at the first meeting after the beginning of the calendar year.

F. Officers must be members of registered teams (on player roster).

SECTION 2. Duties of Officers

A. PRESIDENT:

1. To preside over the Women’s Slowpitch Association at all meetings. 

2. To enforce the observance of the Association’s Constitution. 

3. To enforce the observance of the Association’s League rules. 

4. To oversee all members of the Board, Umpire Crew and Assistants. 

5. To perform all duties that commonly falls upon a presiding officer.

B. VICE-PRESIDENT:

1. To assist the President with all duties. 

2. To preside over the Women’s Slowpitch Association in the absence of the President. 

3. To perform all duties that commonly falls upon a presiding officer. 

4. Any other duties assigned by the President.

C. SECRETARY:

1. To accurately record the proceedings of each Association meeting. 

2. To accurately record and post current league standings on a weekly basis. 

3. To notify teams in a timely manner of upcoming league meetings. 

4. To handle the leagues email account and correspondence. 

5. To perform all duties that commonly falls upon a presiding officer or assigned by the President.

D. TREASURER:

1. To collect dues and other income while keeping an accurate account of all receipts and disbursements. 

2. To have a current and accurate account balance statement available at all Association meetings. 

3. To handle all disbursements by check if possible. A 2nd signature of any other authorized Board member will be required on all checks issued. 

4. To perform all duties that commonly falls upon a presiding officer.

E. AREA COMMISSIONER:

1. To act as a liaison between the Women’s Association and the State Association to promote softball to the public. This position is appointed by the state.

F. DIVISION REPS (Optional)

1. Representatives from each division may be nominated or appointed by the Board to assist the Board whenever it is deemed necessary.

2. This position is activated by Board decision.

SECTION 3. Salaries

A. The Board shall have the responsibility and authority to determine the salaries of all Board members, the umpires/Umpire-In-Chief & any Assistants.

B. The salary of the Board may be reviewed by the membership on a yearly basis.

ARTICLE V: LEAGUE VOTING

1. Players can and are encouraged to participate in any league discussions and also bring any matters of importance to the Association for review.

2. Voting shall be done by a Manager/Coach or Team Representative (1 vote per team).

3. A quorum shall be declared to be those present.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

A. The Association will hold organizational meetings throughout the year. A calendar of events will be posted on the website listing important league dates or events.

B. Teams should be notified via email or by phone 7 days prior to each league meeting.

C. It is the responsibility of each team to be sure the league Secretary has the correct name and address of their designated contact person.

D. Board members will hold Board meetings at their discretion.

ARTICLE VII: ROSTERS

A. Rosters and league fees must be submitted to the Board by the scheduled due date to avoid a $50 late fee. Fees not paid prior to game play, (including late fees) will result in said team's ineligibility to play and forfeit shall be declared.

B. Teams may add new team members to their rosters (at no cost) up to the cut-off date set by the Board. New members must be added PRIOR to playing in any league/tournament game.

C.  After the date established by the Board, a Player Addition Form and a $25 player fee must be given to a Board member before any new player can participate.

D. The Board will review any protested players and failure to comply may include automatic forfeiture of any games said player has participated in plus an additional fine of $25. Said player may not compete until all provisions are met.

E.. Rosters must be completely filled out and signed by either the Coach or a Manager.

F. Players are required under Association guidelines to individually fill out and sign their names on said roster. Any rosters with names found to be fraudulently signed will be deemed illegal. Violations will result in a fine and disciplinary action will be taken. (Player and manager/coach.)

G. Release forms/parental signatures are required for players under 18 years of age.

H.  A helmet will be required for players aged 17 and under.

I. Players who have willingly signed a team roster are bound to their respective teams and may only transfer to another team after the necessary parties approve a request, i.e. player is released. (Player, managers, and the Board should work together to resolve any issues regarding player transfer)

J.  Sioux Falls Women's league has the following guidelines for players choosing to play on two Sioux Falls Women's League Teams:

• You must indicate one team as primary and one team as secondary on the official roster form that is submitted to the Board. Keep in mind that you are obligated to go to State with your primary team.   If your primary team does not go to state, you must play with your secondary team. If your secondary team does not go to state, you can be picked up on another team.

• If complex situations arise, they will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Board.

• When deciding to be on two rosters, the State obligation rules should be thoroughly considered by the player and the team manager.

• Regarding league championship night, you may only play with your primary team (i.e. you cannot play with your secondary team if your primary team loses out)

• To prevent team stacking on Mondays, we are going to limit Mondays to having no more than 3 upper players on their roster. Upper players are players who played on a team in Division 1 State the previous year, primary team plays on Wednesdays, or as determined by the Board.  If any questions on player classifications, please ask the Board. Action will be taken against teams who are intentionally trying to ‘play down’ on lower league nights

ARTICLE VIII  LEAGUE ORGANIZATION

Section 1. League Divisions

The number of divisions and names of these divisions will be decided on a yearly basis with a minimum of three (3) divisions and eight (8) teams per division recommended. (Unless circumstances warrant otherwise.)

B. Categorization of teams into divisions is made at the discretion of the Board

C. The Board may assign a Classification Committee for assistance.

Section 2. Minimum number of games played

A minimum number of league games to be played will be determined on a yearly basis by the Board. The league will do whatever it can to ensure that all divisions play an equal number of games.

Section 3. Issuance of schedules

Schedules will be issued promptly after league sign up deadlines, as defined by the Board. In the event of a revision, managers will be notified. 

ARTICLE IX: GAME PLAY

Section 1. Rules

A. All rules and regulations mandated by USA Softball will be enforced during league play unless league rules dictate otherwise.

Section 2. Line-up Cards

A. Line-up cards will be used in league and league tournament play.

B. Managers are required to submit signed cards to the plate umpire prior to the coin flip.

C. Cards must include all players, including all possible substitutes.

Section 3. Start/Duration of game

A. Teams must be on time for their respective games.  A 5 minute grace period may be utilized for the early game, but there will be no waiting for individual players who are finishing a game before.

B. Coaches and teams are encouraged to be ready to play 15 minutes prior to their scheduled game time.

C. On Mondays, all games are played on a 55-minute time limit. On Wednesdays, all games are played on a 60-minute time limit.

**For the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ONLY during the league tournaments, there will be no time limit in any division. 

Section 4. Number of players needed to start game

1. Teams may start with any number of players as long as it’s 9 or more.

·        If a player is running late and you add them to the lineup before the game, you have to take an out at their spot in the lineup until they get there. You have the option to wait to add them to the bottom of the lineup when they arrive, with no penalty. You must speak with the plate umpire and get their name added to the lineup card when they arrive.

2. You can bat everyone, but this would mean you have no substitutes available for that game.

 If a player needs to leave the game due to injury/family or work emergency, a team will be allowed to drop by 1 with no penalty, unless that drops the number below 9. In that case, the game would be over.

 If two or more players leave the game due to injury/family/work emergency, an out will need to be taken for each spot in the lineup. Again, if the number drops below 9 the game will end.

There is no limit to the number of players that can drop before forfeiture, as long as the number stays above the minimum for play.

If a player is ejected, that will result in the end of the game by forfeit (because there are no subs available to fill that spot)

If a player is ejected, you will not be able to just take an out for that player's position, it will result in the end of the game.

Section 5. Run Rule

1. Game will be over if there is a 15 run differential after 3 complete innings, 10 run differential after 5 complete innings.

Section 6. Stealing

A. Stealing allowed on Wednesday nights only.

Section 7. Pinch Runners

1. One free substitute for a runner is allowed.  It can be anyone on the game card.  If the player running comes up to bat in the line-up while running, they are out on the bag.  They would then proceed to bat in their usual order.

Section 8. Playoffs and Make-up games

A. All league rules apply for playoff and make-up games.

Section 9. Pick up Players

A.     Teams will be allowed to pick up any player for any regular-season game ONLY if it is to get to 10 players. Teams may NOT pick up non-rostered players to have an 11th or more players.

B.     This pick up player can be any person, but if they are not on a USA registered SFWSA team roster already…they MUST sign your team’s roster. This is for player and SFWSA protection purposes.

C.      If they are already on another SFWSA team’s roster, it is not required that they sign yours.  

D.     The 5 minute grace period to start a game is ONLY for the first game of the night. It does not apply to any other game, including if your team is waiting for a pick up player to finish a game immediately prior.

E. If picking up an ‘upper’ player, they will count against the max of 3 on a lower league team. Complex situations can be discussed with a Board member.

Section 10. Rescheduling of postponed games, cancellations

1. Cancellations and postponements of games will be handled by the Board. The Board may cancel or postpone games prior to the start of the game or prior to the first pitch.

2. After the first pitch the Umpire-in-Chief and the Board will work together to make any decisions involving cancellation or postponement of games.

3. The Board will notify players and teams via email and social media as soon as a decision to cancel/postpone is made.

4. The Board will reschedule postponed games as soon as possible

5. Postponed games may be rescheduled on any available league night.

Section 11. Starting count/foul ball rule

A. Batters will start with a 1-and-1 count with no courtesy 3rd strike foul.

Section 12. Homerun limits

A.   Fields A - D (1)  

B.   Fields E - I (unlimited)

Section 13. In the event of a tie

1. In the event of a tie at time limit or the end of the 7th inning, one more inning will be played. The last out of the previous inning will be placed at second base. If tied after that one inning, all regular league games may end in a tie. 

2. Playoffs and tournament games will be played out until there is a winner. In each extra inning, the last out from the previous inning will be placed at second. 

Section 14. Safety policy

1. For the safety of all involved it is required that players slide or clearly attempt to get out of the way of the defensive player in any close/dangerous defensive play.

Section 15. Alcohol and tobacco policy

1. Alcohol is prohibited in dugouts at any time. (Violation results in forfeit)

2. Smoking is prohibited in the dugouts at any time.

ARTICLE X: UNIFORM POLICY

A. Shirts matching in color and similar in style with six (6) inch numbers on the back of the uniform are mandatory after June 1st.

B. All playing team members must wear the same team jersey (up to three colors) during play.

C. Any team having a player without a compliant shirt must not allow that player to start or enter the game.

D. A team/player playing out of uniform will be forced to forfeit any game or games the said player(s) participated in.

E. A team who has a player(s) without a matching uniform top may request a Uniform Waiver from the Board. This waiver will allow the player to play for a predetermined period of time without a team shirt. Coaches are asked to request waivers before their game night. **Waivers will be issued at the discretion of the Board.**

F. In regard to the Blood Rule--if a player’s uniform is soiled and needs to be changed to continue play, a shirt similar in color should be used when possible.

G. No metal cleats are allowed.

ARTICLE XI: UMPIRES

A. The Umpire-in-Chief is appointed by the Board and/or an assigned umpire selection committee.

B. The Board also will have the option to appoint an assistant UIC if deemed necessary.

C. The Board will be responsible to bring any issues of importance to the attention of the UIC and any assistants when warranted.

D. Coaches/Managers have the option to submit umpire evaluation forms to the Board at their discretion.

E. Any issues regarding umpires should be brought to the attention of the Board for further discussion.

ARTICLE XII: DIVISION CHAMPIONS

A. Division champions are determined at season’s end by each team’s win-loss record.

B. In the event that total games played is not equal, a Win-Loss percentage may be used to determine the division champions.

C. In the event of a tie in any division, a playoff game can be played to determine the champion. If a playoff game is not possible, (several teams tied for a place), the Board will administer a predetermined tie breaker system to determine the final division standings. Tie-breakers will be in the following order:  win/loss, head to head, runs scored against, total runs scored.

ARTICLE XIII: STATE TOURNAMENT

A.     To be eligible to play in the SD Women’s Slow-pitch State Tournament, a player must have played in 5 regular season games.

B.     You may only have 3 pick up players (players not on your regular season roster) on your state roster.

C.      SFWSA teams will be classified into Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 prior to state tournament and will be posted. This is at the discretion of the Board and State Commissioner. Any issues should immediately be brought up to the Board to discuss.

D.     Teams in divisions 4, 5, and 6 can only have 3 upper players on their roster. Upper players are defined as being rostered on a division 1 State team the year prior (players can also be classified as upper at the discretion of the Board).

E.      State rosters and fees must be submitted to USA Softball of South Dakota by the deadline. See their website for more information.  

F. Players must go to state with their primary team. If their primary team does not go to state, they must play with their secondary team. If neither of their teams go to state, they can be a pick up on another team. 

ARTICLE XIV: FORFEITS

A. Teams are required to give the Board a minimum 24-hour notice to forfeit a game. Any team forfeiting without this notice will be required to pay a per game penalty fee of $25.00. Payment must be made prior to said teams next scheduled game.

ARTICLE XV: MISCONDUCT

A. A reminder to all teams: Any player, manager/coach, or fan who is determined to be displaying inappropriate behavior and/or presents a danger to themselves or other players, managers/coaches, or umpires due to the use of alcohol or drugs will be removed from the game and complex by the game umpire or a Board member for the entirety of the evening.

B. In the event that a player or a manager/coach is involved in inappropriate or dangerous behavior, the game may be stopped until said parties have been removed.

C. Failure to comply will result in immediate forfeiture of that game and the Board will determine if any further action is necessary.

D.  The Board requires that a letter be submitted by both parties prior to the next game, stating the position of the offending party or description of events that transpired so that the Board can determine if the person(s) will be allowed back to the league.  The umpire that removed the alleged offending party shall also provide a descriptive letter.

E.  Two offenses will result in player/fan/person not allowed back during league play, at the discretion of the Board.

ARTICLE XVI: AMENDMENTS

A. The Constitution may be amended at any meeting via voting, provided the amendment has been submitted at a previous meeting.

REVISION HISTORY

Revised March 2001

Revised March 2016

Revised April  2018

Revised April 2022