Sports Monster Kickball Bible
SAMPLE OF GAME RULES TO LIVE BY:
1. Starting the Game: Please try to arrive early so that
your captain can have the team’s line-up ready prior to the match and we can
start on time. Games are to be started no later than 10 minutes after the
scheduled start time or forfeit runs shall be assessed as outlined below
against the team unable to field a squad. The schedule will show home/visitor
for that week. Otherwise the umpire shall flip a coin to determine who kicks
first. In the playoffs, the higher seeded team is ALWAYS the home team.
Warm-up Time: Pitchers will be permitted a few courtesy practice
pitches each inning. Fielding warm-ups shall be limited to the pitcher’s
practice time. Please pay attention to get practice balls off field as soon as
possible to start inning.
Warm-up Area: If your team is waiting to play, use of open areas is
allowed for warm-up as long as the open area is away from the field of play,
including foul territory and permitted by that facility.
2. Method of Scoring: Single point runs score all games.
Games are won by a one run advantage. The umpire prior to each inning should
announce the inning and score as he/she has it recorded. Teams switch
hitting/fielding following each three out rotation in the line-up.
Runs are scored when a
player has contacted first base, second base, third base and home plate prior
to three outs in a hitting rotation. A forced 3rd out always
supersedes a fast base runner from third base who may have crossed the plate
prior to the forced third out made at another base. All runs will be called at
umpire’s discretion. Remember to touch home plate!
Tie games will be scored as
such during the regular season. Playoff games will be played until there is a
decisive winner.
Scoring discrepancies in
the standings? Contact your local SMC office for clarification.
3. Game Length: Please check your location for
scheduled game duration. Game duration may be either 7 innings or the time
allowed for play, whichever comes first. Some local programs may offer
shortened or extended available time as advertised. The SMC umpire shall
announce the final inning to be played on/around 10 minutes remaining in the
match. Note that this announcement may be made during what turns out to be the
final inning of play if it is running long.
Special
Note: Should
inclement weather or other factors limit normal scheduled game duration, SMC
shall consider a 4 inning game played as officially recorded. A minimum of 4
innings at-kick by the visiting team (if losing) is required. If the home team
takes a lead in their 4th inning at-kick and the game has to be
called, that score shall be recorded and counted as official. Incomplete games
shall be recorded as such and SMC shall make every effort to finish an incomplete
match through at least 4 innings at another time. Otherwise, a tie shall be
recorded in the standings.
Slaughter Rule: Ouch! It hurts to get slaughtered so we have a rule in
place that a match is stopped once a team reaches a 12 run lead over their opponent
after 4 at-kicks by the losing team. Teams may opt to continue play for fun if
time permits but the official scoring shall cease once a slaughter has been
reached.
Extra Innings: To keep all match times starting on time, there are
generally no extra innings for regular season matches. Games may end in a tie
and both teams will earn 1 point in the standings. Playoffs will have an extra
innings played until there is a winner.
4. Time-out: This is kickball! There are no
time-outs in kickball. You can rest your butt on the pine.
5. Playing Area: The entire marked field is
considered within play. Lines are considered in play through 1st and
3rd base and extended through the outfield. Foul balls maybe played
in the air for outs. If a foul ball goes beyond the marked or understood
playable distance, the umpire shall declare the ball “Out of Play” and that
ball is dead. Please be careful of balls going out into street or parking lot
areas and watch for trees or shrubbery at unfenced locations.
Fields may or
may not have first and third baselines clearly marked as many locations are
played in wide open grassy areas. For fields without foul posts or fences,
there should be cones placed 20-25 feet outside the first and third base lines to
clearly mark the playing area.
6. Substitutions and Scorebooks: Each team is allowed unlimited
substitutions between innings. Scorekeeper must clearly mark the substitute
players in the kicking order. It is advised that coed leagues sub male/male,
female/female to help keep better track of who is on field and maintaining
proper kicking orders.
SMC does
not provide paid scorekeepers to keep your costs lower. Each team is
responsible for maintaining their line-up and results either in their own book
or in the book SMC provides. If your team does not keep an accurate scorebook
and questions their score, the umpire shall keep default score he/she kept and
there will be no challenge accepted. Please understand that if your umpire is
maintaining the scorebook, the game will run slower. Don’t know how to keep
score? Check this out: http://www.baseballscorecard.com/downloads/tutorial.pdf
7. Gender Ratio: SMC kickball leagues are set-up for
10 players on the field at all times. Men may not participate in SMC leagues
designated for women. Women may not participate in SMC leagues designated for
men unless expressly granted by the local office with notification provided to
all teams. Please do NOT bring a woman to play in a men’s match without
receiving local approval first as she will not be allowed to play.
Coed
leagues are set-up for 5 men/5 women on the field at all times. If male players
are missing, a team may opt to field more than 5 women. If female players are
missing, it is up to the discretion of the opposing team whether more than 5
men will be allowed during the regular season. The kicking rule of taking an
out for missing female players will still apply. Once agreed upon by the
opposing captain to allow extra male player(s), the decision is binding through
the remainder of the game. However, upon the late arrival of extra female
player(s), that team MUST remove corresponding extra male players and
substitute in the newly arrived female players. SMC outlined gender ratio must
be followed during the playoffs.
8. Called Balls and Strikes: To help the games move along, each
player at kick starts with a 1-1 count (one ball, one strike). Players will
strike out on their third strike. Foul balls are considered strikes. However,
kickball rules do permit one extra foul kick before being called out
An umpire
will call strikes on any cleanly pitched ball (see section below) that rolls
near home plate and within the pitching parameters.
a) Foul
Balls: Foul balls are considered strikes but kickers are given an extra foul
ball before they would strike out. Kickers can strike out on foul ball on the fourth
strike.
9. Pitching: All pitches must be rolled
underhand may be pitched either fast or slow. Umpires shall call out “ILLEGAL”
or “BOUNCY” for pitches that bounce over 1 foot in the air on the way to the
plate or are thrown by the pitcher instead of rolled. Players may opt to kick
at called illegal pitches but the result shall stand. Players who do not kick
at an illegal pitch shall automatically receive a called Ball for their count.
Remember: No Bouncies! Try
to keep your pitched balls flat to the ground.
Any pitch rolling outside 1
foot of either side of home plate shall be called a Ball, unless the kicker kicks.
We do NOT place cones on either side of home plate as we feel that this is an
unnecessary obstruction – especially to players running home and the catcher. Please
note that umpire’s called strike zone may vary somewhat due to his/her
subjective opinion. If this is an ongoing concern, please contact your local
SMC office.
As SMC
leagues always promote the spirit of good sportsmonstership, the league frowns
upon teams actively seeking walk, after walk, after walk, after walk, after
walk (get the point?) off of a struggling pitcher – especially in recreational
level leagues! At the umpire’s discretion, he/she may offer a sportsmanship
suggestion to kick at close pitches. In cases where this helpful suggestion is
ignored, the umpire has the authority to increase the strike zone to encourage kicking
action. Clearly, if a pitch is unplayable, the umpire will continue to call
Balls.
Pitcher
must be in contact with the pitching rubber at time of ball release. In some
locations, a cone may indicate where the pitcher must stand at/behind at time
of ball release. Pitcher may make a pitch any time the game is called live and
the kicker is in the kicker’s box. Kicker may step out of the box to slow a
quick fire pitcher and the umpire will call time.
10. Kicking: SMC permits an 11 kicker rotation in any skill level. For recreational
skill level leagues, there is an unlimited kicking rotation so long as there is
at least 1 gal for every 1 guy. Make sure you confer with your umpire if you
have any questions about adding kickers.
Kickers must contact the ball below the
knee. Any contact above the knee shall be called a strike.
In all SMC coed leagues, there is
no prescribed male-female kicking order. We view that as sexist and such a
requirement takes away from the strategy of the game. So you can kick all the
guys first or all the gals first or anywhere in whatever order and that is fine
with us so long as 5 gals are kicking in an 11 person rotation.
Missing gals in coed league? It is REQUIRED in SMC coed leagues that every missing female player be
entered into the 10-11 person kicking rotation as an out – no exceptions. It is
up to that team as to where those missing players are put into the rotation.
Base coaches are allowed
outside of 1st and 3rd bases.
Kickers are
to remain in the kicking box when kicking at a pitch. If there is no clearly
defined box, the understood kicking box shall be two feet behind home plate to one
foot above home plate and one foot on either side of the plate. The kicker will
be called automatically out if:
a) He/she steps clearly
past home plate to kick a pitch.
b) He/she steps too far
behind or too far above home plate to kick at a pitch and interferes with the
catcher
11. Bunting: No bunting, period! It is up to the umpires discretion as to whether or not a player gave an honest effort to kick the ball or if he or she was bunting. A warning may be issued on the first bunt and after that the player will be called out.
12. Base Leads, Running, Tagging and
Stealing: Taking leads off of any base are not allowed.
Runner must wait until pitch crosses home plate before leaving base. Umpire
will issue a warning for the first infraction and then call offenders out.
To stop base runners and
put an end to a play, a ball played in the outfield must be thrown into the
infield/pitcher, and fielded cleanly inside the base path. So long as runners
are not already in motion towards the next base, the umpire will hold both
hands up and outstretched to indicate the play has ended.
For fields with fences
marking fair/foul play, any ball thrown inside the fence shall be considered
live and base runners may advance at will. Should the played ball be thrown
outside of a fence OR if a field does not have a fence and the thrown ball goes
past the marked fair territory, umpire shall indicate base runners may proceed
to the next base and stop there.
A base runner may tag-up – meaning they make sure the base they were on
has been touched following a caught fly ball – whether fair or foul – and
attempt to run safely to next base. Failure to properly tag-up shall result in
a called out.
Stealing is
not permitted.
13. Sliding: Use safe
sliding! Slides may be feet first or head first. A dirty slide or extensive
contact made by not sliding will result in an out (Umpire’s discretion). Aggressive sliding is not permitted. (Avoid contact with defensive player,
period!).
Safety of all players is our main concern.
14. Pinching: Stop pinching me! That hurts – I’m telling –
Mommmmmy!
a) Pinch
Runners – Only allowed if player is injured and will not be playing in the
field following that at-kick. Pinch runner is to be the last player of the same
sex to get out.
b) Pinch
Hitters – Not allowed. Substitutes may be utilized to switch one player for
another in the scorebook.
15. Fielding: The following rules are specific to
fielding a ball:
a) Outfield players are NEVER to be standing in the infield when a kicker
is at the plate. Outfielders may run into the infield to make a play but cannot
be positioned there. Most fields have a clearly defined infield but if your
location does not, inquire with the umpire as to how far in you can stand.
b) Infield players are to stay out of the base path and not block
bases. It is understood that the transition of the live game or required
movement to field a ball may take one into the base path. It will be the
umpire’s discretion to issue a warning and/or call a runner safe or out due to
obstruction.
c) In kickball, the defensive/fielding team can throw the ball at base
runners to get them out. Runners may be thrown out between bases by the
fielding team with a ball thrown at the runner with the ball making contact
with their clothing or body. If the runner is contacted above the shoulders by
the thrown ball, they will be called safe. If the runner is ducking and the
ball contacts them above the shoulders, they will be called out.
d) If, in the opinion of the umpire, a runner arrives at a base
simultaneous to the thrown ball, the tie shall go to the runner.
e) There may be occasional unexpected field obstructions or field
features unique to a specific location. The umpire shall determine the result
for a ball played near or into that obstruction or feature.
16. Uniforms/Attire: Players are encouraged to wear same
colored permanent numbered shirts. However, this is not a requirement for kickball.
Teams may be a motley assortment of shirts and colors and be fine to play.
Shirts are required for
play. Feel free to prance around and preen before or after your game shirtless
but not during play. Those headfirst slides would become extra painful
otherwise…
Athletic
shoes are encouraged. Bare feet are not permitted. Metal cleats are not
permitted. Cleats must be molded rubber.
17. Other Rules: Unless otherwise noted, SMC kickball
leagues follow grade school rules as a guideline.
18. Have Fun: This
is your leisure time, enjoy it. You’re not playing for money, only the pride
and prestige a Sports Monster championship brings and the adoration of
thousands of area residents wishing they were you, a Sports Monster.
Here are some handy regulations for
SMC Kickball leagues:
- Starting the Match: Players must have line-up in
scorebook prior to kicking. Scheduled match time is the ideal start time
for your game. However, there may be a 5 minute warm-up delay into the
hour but not more than 10 minutes into the hour. If games do start later
than 5 minutes into the hour because of tardy or unprepared players, you
may find your match to be less than 7 innings. If matches do not start on
time because of your umpire, please notify the local office.
Use of open
areas is allowed for practice prior to match play in areas away from a live
game. Teams not ready to start on time will not be given extra time and the
match will be started immediately.
Visiting/Home
team will be marked in the schedule and the Visiting will kick first.
- Match Scoring: All matches are scored by runs.
Runs are:
One runner scores = One run
Matches are won by a 1 run margin. Ties
during regular season are recorded as such due to time constraints. Playoffs
will have extra innings.
Scores are
kept by each team in scorekeeping/line-up book. Contact SMC rep with any game
rules or fault infraction questions regarding scoring.
3. Season Ranking: Teams will be ranked on overall
won-loss record. Teams with the same won-loss record will be ranked based on higher
run differential. The run differential is the total number of runs scored
AGAINST each team subtracted by the total number of runs scored FOR that team. The
team with the higher number will be ranked higher. Head to head scores are ONLY
considered if there remains a tie for W/L and run differential.
4. Forfeits: All around bad news. This is a big
no-no and all will be subject to a caning when they show up next week. Because
there can be legitimate reasons for running late, Sports Monster does permit
late starts BUT the offending/late teams shall start the match with the
following point deficits:
2 runs down 11 minutes into the hour and start as 2nd inning
4 runs down 16 minutes into the hour and start as 3rd inning
Game lost 21 minutes into the hour
The umpire should get a scrimmage playing 10 minutes into the hour.
Upon late arrival/ready to play, the umpire will commence the match and confirm
what the starting score is for a late match. Innings will start as noted above
for late starts.
If a team has six or more registered players but less than a full ten
person complement, a legal game may be played with or without substitutes. NOTE:
Coed teams may play with only six male players present and not forfeit the
match.
Heaven help your team should you forfeit three times. A lynching party
will be sent out and your team will be expelled from the league with no refunds
provided. No forfeit fees have been built into league fees as forfeits have
been extremely rare. A match forfeit will automatically be scored 0-10 (runs)
and 0-1 (game)
5. Minimum Age: All SMC participants must be at
least 19 years old. Valid picture id may be requested. Failure to provide a
valid picture ID shall void participation until such time as proof of ID can be
provided.
6. Substitution Policy: THIS IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR
YOUR TEAM!
A new
player filling in for your team during regular season is permitted. Even if
they are only going to play once, they have to sign the team waiver prior to
play.
Teams may
add new players throughout the season up through week 6 of a 7 week league. All
new players MUST sign the team waiver and be posted on that team’s online
roster to be eligible for playoff participation. Registered/rostered players
are those that have signed that teams waiver by the 6th week, are posted on the
team’s online roster and have played at least two matches for that team during
the regular season.
Game day
substitutes picked up from other SMC teams are allowed as long as team has
minimum number of rostered players and only enough players may be picked up to
field a full team (meaning no players on bench). Opposing team may not
challenge a same league Sports Monster substitutes. Umpire is to confirm
eligibility.
Individual
Teams ONLY: All outside substitutes MUST be approved by SMC to play. Please do
not bring new players as they will NOT be allowed to play.
Playoffs:
ONLY 1 INTRA-LEAGUE SUBSTITUTION IS ALLOWED IN THE PLAYOFFS! Teams must play
with your registered/rostered players in the playoffs. Substitutes are to be
used only for the purposes of fielding a complete team. Should additional
rostered players arrive and are ready to play; intra-league substitute MUST
discontinue play at the end of THAT top/bottom of the inning being played.
Roster substitution exceptions:
a) If you know that you will be unable to complete the season, please
notify SMC at least two weeks prior to playoffs. Upon approval, your substitute
may take your place and remain eligible through playoffs.
b) A last minute injury that prevents a player to participate will
permit an outside substitution. Notification to SMC is required.
7. Team Rosters: Please keep in mind that each team
has paid for league play. Each team determines their own roster and who will be
playing and how much per person owes the captain. SMC does not dictate any
team’s roster unless there is a disciplinary issue. If players have been added
to your team’s roster without the team captain’s knowledge or permission,
please contact your SMC office.
ALL players
MUST sign the team waiver AND be posted on that team’s online roster to be
considered eligible for playoff matches. Failure to sign the team waiver shall
void participation in that round. Failure to be posted with the online roster
shall void participation in that round until roster is amended.
Sports
Monster does permit
players to play for more than one team. We look at the big picture and if any
team wants to sign up players from other teams to play with them so everyone
has more fun, so be it. If teams pick up a player from another team during the
season, then that player must sign each team’s waiver and be added to that
online roster on/by Week 6. Such multiple team players will be permitted to
play for those teams through the playoffs BUT must select only one team to play
with if both teams play each other in any round.
Individual
Teams ONLY: All
outside roster additions and substitutes MUST be approved by SMC for new
players to play. Please do not bring new players as they will NOT be allowed to
play.
8. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP: Please observe standards of good
sportsmanship during your time with us. Most people are great but there are
some sour apples out there who try to ruin everyone’s experience.
We
understand that competition can generate strong emotions; however your emotions
and actions must not negatively affect the enjoyment, comfort or safety of any
of our other participants!
Foul
language is not acceptable. Learn new words such as “sugar” or “fudge."
Taunting
opponents is not acceptable. Tantrums (throwing objects and/or yelling) are not
acceptable. You are not a two year old or teething, so calm it down. Opposing
team may call a time out and address the umpire for consideration if it is felt
that bad sportsmanship is being displayed by one or more on the opposing team.
At the
discretion of the SMC ref, any displays of bad sportsmanship will result in the
following penalties:
For
individuals: 1 = verbal warning
2 = Player expelled from match
If an
individual is expelled from the match, that team shall play down a player and
an out will automatically be assessed when that player would normally be at kick.
If that player is required to leave, play will only commence upon departure.
Should player not leave facility that player’s team will lose all runs or the
full match following point of infraction. Team penalties may also be imposed at
this time.
At the
discretion of the SMC refs, in consultation with the league office, a
determination shall be made whether a player shall be suspended or shall be
expelled from league play.
For team: 1
= verbal warning
2 = final warning: an out will be assessed if the kicking team is
warned. Should there be base runners, the runner closest to home shall be
called out. If warning is assessed to the fielding team, they will start their
next at-kicks with an out.
3 = Game called (match forfeiture)
We are
serious about penalizing the flagrant use of foul language. Aside from being
offensive, you are playing in schools, church or park facilities that have
young children around at all times. If your umpire does not actively pursue
infractions, notify SMC.
9. Taunting: If a player blatantly taunts an
opponent, a call of bad sportsmanship shall be assessed. His/her behavior will
be the determining factor. Simultaneous taunting is a verbal altercation.
A PLAYER(S)
GUILTY OF TAUNTING MUST BE SINGLED OUT AND PENALIZED. If a previous
unsportsmanlike act has been committed and if this situation is BLATANT, a
called out must be assessed and the guilty player(s) must be ejected.
10. Playoffs: Unless otherwise noted in the
specific league or tournament outline overview or rules, all teams will make
the playoffs. Overall 1st place team is determined by regular season won/loss
record. If there are tied teams, it will be broken by the higher plus run
differential. If a tie still exists, overall head to head game scores will be
compared. Playoff format will be single game elimination.
Playoff
matches will be bracketed in a standard bracket based on a 16 team pool of
teams. Most SMC leagues have less than 16 teams but the first round will still
be predicated on the larger bracket - meaning for a 10 team league, the first
round would have 8th vs 9th, 7th vs 10th before 1st and 2nd place teams would
play, etc.
For any
league of more than 8 teams, please be aware that you may have to play 2 or
more matches in one week to finish playoffs. Smaller (4 or 5 team divisions)
leagues may be completed in one week of playoffs.
Player
eligibility may be challenged by opposing team captains or umpires prior to the
start of a playoff match or at the end of the second inning. NO NEW PLAYERS
will be allowed to play once the second inning commences. A player who has not
signed that team’s waiver form (and is not the one intra-league substitute
allowed for teams not fielding a full complement) is not eligible for play in
that match. As long as the umpires are in agreement that the player has played
at least 2 matches, that player would be eligible for the next match, should
their team progress but ONLY if they have signed the team waiver when
originally challenged.
11. Umpires: All SMC leagues are organized for
one paid umpire to be on site. Umpire is paid BY THE LEAGUE as part of your
registration fees. So if they ask for money, please notify the local office. There
may be a rare occasion that there is no umpire present. In such a case, teams
are to play a regular match, keep score and make courtesy calls. We apologize
in advance should a no umpire situation occur in one of your matches. However,
the largest single expense in your league is for facility rental and it is
important that you play your match as there will not be a rescheduled game
time. Match results will count towards final standings. Only in cases where a
no umpire match occurs more than once in a season to any one team will there be
future credit consideration.
SMC umpires
are provided to make the match run as smoothly and error-free as possible.
Obviously, no one is perfect and there may be occasion to question an
individual call if the umpire hasn’t already offered an explanation. The only
person permitted to question an umpire’s call is that team’s captain. Should
any other person other than the captain approach the umpire during a game, a
ruling of bad sportsmanship may be applied (see #8).
SMC umpires
sometimes will offer an explanation of calls as they are made, but this is not
required and should not be expected. Signals should be clear and known to
players. If no explanation has been offered, it is at that time that a
captain’s inquiry would be appropriate. Please keep in mind your tone of voice
and to form a question. Scathing sarcasm and/or a demonstrative proclamation
demanding a response usually will not be viewed favorably and a warning or
penalty may be imposed.
Whether you
agree or not, the umpire’s judgment is the final word during the game. A
challenge (see #12) may be filed with the SMC office following the game and a
final determination/ruling will be made prior to the next weeks match.
Any foul or
abusive language directed at the umpire or within earshot will result in an
automatic individual or team warning. Contrary to what you may think, no, you
do not pay us enough to put up with abusive crap. A second warning will quickly
be applied resulting in match expulsion. Possible suspension or league
expulsion penalties may result as well.
Any
physical action taken by any individual against an umpire will be met with full
prosecution by SMC against that individual including involvement by law
enforcement. That individual will be banned from SMC league play and full team
forfeiture may be imposed.
Please
realize that umpires can oversee hundreds of matches each year and really do
not care who wins. They do care about running a cleanly played match and that
people enjoy their playing experience.
Any
questions or concerns specific to your league’s umpires should be addressed to
your local SMC office during regular business hours and we encourage you to
communicate with us while the season is underway so we can quickly address your
concerns.
12. Challenges: SMC
will not consider challenges if they are based solely on a decision involving
the accuracy or judgment on the part of a umpire pertaining to called
plays/kept time.
SMC does
offer a two level challenge format available following a match regarding strong
disagreement regarding a umpire’s ruling resulting in specific sanction(s) or
player eligibility or failure to abide by written league rules as provided
herein:
a) Contact your local SMC office’s manager for your Sport to address
your challenge. In some cases, this person may be the local market manager. Any
verbal challenge must be accompanied with a written challenge outlining the
team/player’s position and circumstances to be formally considered. This
written challenge may be sent via e-mail for expedience. However, SMC
confirmation of receipt is required for e-mail challenges. Please allow 2-3
business days for information from all parties to be processed and a ruling to
be determined.
b) If you are not satisfied with the challenged ruling, you may
contact that office’s general manager or SMC headquarters and re-submit your
challenge. You will again need to allow 2-3 business days for information from
all parties to be processed and a final ruling to be determined.
As it is
possible that a sanction may be reduced, it is also possible that a sanction
may be increased upon review of the challenged situation. Upon issuing any
challenge, it is understood that the challenging party will abide by the final
league ruling.
Because
many rulings and sanctions are time sensitive, it is important that any
challenges involving a ruling or suspension be officially recorded in writing
within 48 hours of the initial on-site ruling. Failure to do so can impact the
ability of a final ruling being issued before the sanction occurs. Once a time
sensitive sanction has already been enforced (example: one week suspension
ruling and the next week’s match has already occurred with player sitting out),
there may be no recourse for overturning the original ruling except for general
clarification.
In cases
where a general ruling is challenged solely for clarification, there is not a deadline
for submission.
13. GUIDELINES FOR INFECTION
CONTROL: If a player suffers a laceration or a wound where
bleeding occurs, the umpire shall suspend the game at the earliest appropriate
time. Upon suspension of play, the captain shall be informed that he/she has
the option to, immediately, substitute for the player or call a timeout. If a
substitute replaces the player, the opposing team shall be allowed to
substitute one player. The injured player may return to the game when they have
the appropriate bandage.
If the player returns to the game, the umpire should make certain that any
lesion, wound or dermatitis is covered with a dressing that will prevent
contamination to and/or from other sources. A wrist or sweat band is not considered
a suitable bandage.
ONLY the injured player may be removed from the game under these circumstances.
That player’s team may make a substitution as necessary to replace the injured
player even if it is in the middle of an inning.
14. Alcohol: It is strictly forbidden to bring
alcoholic beverages onto/into any Sports Monster league site. Regardless of
local guidelines, we do not allow open containers in any of our matches -
specifically in the bench area and playing field. If spotted, you will be asked
to remove your stash. Failure to do so will result in an automatic suspension
in addition to possible police involvement. Note that this restriction includes
fans in attendance also.
If a
player, in the judgment of an SMC umpire or scorekeeper, is intoxicated, they
will be removed from the game and receive a warning. A second offense shall
result in league expulsion. We are not your mothers - unless she is a fabulous umpire
and then have her call us because we always need good umps - so common sense
and personal responsibility are expected.
15. Equipment: Sports Monster will provide kickballs,
bases, umpires and facilities for match play. No player equipment other than
athletic shoes is required. Teams may use their own balls upon agreement by
both teams.
It is very common for teams
to bring their own balls. However ONE ball is to be used during the match and
must be agreed upon both teams prior to the match or the SMC provided ball
shall be utilized.
Catchers may wear full
protective equipment if they wish but none is provided for slow-pitch kickball.
16. Attire: Athletic shoes are required. Field
only athletic footwear is recommended. No bare or stockinged feet are allowed.
17. T-shirts: On occasion, a local league will distribute seasonal tee shirts to participants. You can inquire with your local office if this is being done for your league this season.
18. Prizes: There will be prizes for the
winning team. Don’t pester us about what they are: okay, well tell you, it’s a dented
20 year old kick we found in the alley. Cash prizes are not awarded. If you would
like to receive cash prizes in future leagues, let us know & fees will be
adjusted accordingly.
19. Have Fun: This
is your leisure time, enjoy it. You’re not playing for money, only the pride
and prestige a Sports Monster championship brings and the adoration of
thousands of area residents wishing they were you: a Sports Monster champion.
These
rules have been updated as of 09/24/08 and shall remain in effect until such
time as another update is required.
Thank you for choosing Sports Monster! We appreciate your business very much.
Please let us know what we are doing well that you like and what we can do to
improve for next season because as a fellow Sports Monster, this is your league
and we want to see a lot more of you in the future. Please call or e-mail us
with any questions, comments or suggestions. Enjoy your season with us! E-mail
us at info@sportsmonster.net – be
sure to include your name and league location with any feedback.