1. The current Amateur Softball Association Rules and NYSPHSAA Rules & Regulations will apply with the following OCIAA exceptions:
a. There will be a 40 foot pitching distance at all levels.
b. Modified teams will play with the short fielder.
c. During modified games when the third strike is dropped or not caught by the catcher, the batter is out, and is not permitted to run to first base. The ball is dead and there is no advancement on the bases.
d. There will be a 15 run rule after 4 1/2 innings if the home team is leading, or 5 innings if the visiting team is leading. This rule will be for Varsity and Junior Varsity games, not at the Modified level.
e. Modified Only - If a player is substituted, that player(s) be allowed to re-enter the game in case of an injury if no other eligible player is available so that a team may complete that game with ten (10) players.
f. On fields that have curfews, an inning started before the curfew will be played to completion.
g. The official OCIAA softball shall be the Optic Yellow Dudley # SB12LRFY-FP-NFHS - red stitched. The home school is responsible for three (3) new softballs. Weather conditions may necessitate the need for additional softballs.
2. Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
a. When a coach is ejected from a game please refer to NYSPHSAA Handbook # 27 Sportsmanship.
b. When a player(s) is ejected from a game for fighting or unsportsmanlike conduct, the following action will be taken:
(1) First ejection - that player(s) cannot attend or participate in the next scheduled game.
(2) Second ejection - that player(s) cannot attend or participate in the next two scheduled games.
(3) Third ejection - that player(s) cannot attend or participate in any remaining scheduled games including sectionals or any higher level of competition.
c. The official who ejected the player(s) will notify the OCIAA Athletic Coordinator (294-5799), prior to 12:00 noon the following day, of the name(s) of the player(s) and the type of infraction(s).
d. The coach of the player or players who was ejected will notify his/her Athletic Director. The Athletic Director will then contact the OCIAA Athletic Coordinator’s Office to confirm that the player or players will not be allowed to participate in that school’s next scheduled game or games as required above.
e. A player(s) who is ejected from a game will not be allowed to be present at the site of any game that player(s) has been disqualified from participating in (home or away).
f. For unsportsmanlike violation that occur during the OCIAA season, penalties will carry over into sectional play. Once penalties are served, sectional unsportsmanlike conduct rules apply.
3. Softball Umpires:
a. Will be assigned by the Athletic Coordinator, which includes all league, non-league and scrimmages games.
b. All JV and Varsity coaches teams will rate both officials working games and send in the rating cards through their Athletic Director to the Athletic Coordinator within two weeks.
c. Sportsmanship pledge must be read by umpires prior to the start of each game.
4. Pre-Game Procedure:
a. 3:25 p.m. till 3:40 p.m. - home team has field for warm-up.
b. 3:40 p.m. till 3:55 p.m. - visiting team has field for warm-up.
c. 3:55 p.m. - ground rules
d. 4:00 p.m. - play ball
e. Visiting team may have batting practice if there are 2 (two) batting areas.
f. If a team arrives late, a 15 minute field warm-up will be allowed. The home team should already be warmed-up and ready to play.
5. Championships:
a. The OCIAA Softball League will consist of divisions. There will be a champion in each division based on win/lose record within division play. If there is a tie based on division record, the following will be used to determine that division champion:
(1) Head-to-head between the teams which are tied.
(2) If teams are still tied co-champions will be declared.
b. Each team must supply a typed roster with the following information: name, grade, position, number 2 copies.
c. The tie breaker procedure that will be used in games is stated in the Amateur Softball Association Rule Book.
6. Awards (Varsity Only):
a. Plaques: 5 Divisions
b. OCIAA Patches: Each individual school may purchase their own patches if they choose to do so.
7. Schedules:
a. Will be developed by the Athletic Coordinator.
b. Each Junior Varsity and Varsity team may not schedule more than 24 total games.
c. Modified will not schedule more than 14 total games.