The Over 60 rules will be a separate document from the over 50 rules. Differences for over 60 rules will be underlined. Managers have a draft of these rules.

Highlights of over 60 rule differences:

All players bat (over 50 rules changed this)
Courtesy runners may also be used for batters to first base.
No tags at home plate.
Other rules are same as the over 50 rules.

Here are notes from the over 50 managers' meeting and subsequent Board responses (in parentheses).

In the interest of fairness, teams having more players in attendance than their opponents have the option to play the same number of players as their opponents. Players not in the starting lineup are not eligible to enter the game at all unless there is an injury to a starter. (Board says last sentence is too restrictive, free substitution should be allowed for the same spot in the batting order. Also the rule will be stricken for requiring everyone to play 3 innings in the field).

The list of Rules is too big, eliminate any topic that is the same as regular ASA rules. (Board says boiler plate statements will be eliminated, but topics will remain if they give solutions to potential arguments).

If tags are allowed on all other basepaths, the catcher should also be allowed to tag runners going to home plate if the throw pulls them away from the plate. (Board agrees)

Since it is OK for runners to run past a base without touching it, there is no need to have a runner’s home plate, just run to the side of it also. The runner’s home plate gets slippery when moist. (Board says we will continue to have the runners home plate, and also require runners to touch the orange first base).

The idea of having a half way commitment point for runners going from third base to home should also apply to other bases. The umpire should be able to determine if the runner clearly went more than half way to the next base without having to draw lines in the dirt. Runners who have not yet gone half way to the next base can go back to the prior base, but are closed out from advancing if there is an overthrow after the next base has already been touched with ball in hand. (Board agrees)

Roster size – after pros and cons of open rosters and reduced roster sizes were discussed, most managers chose 20 as an appropriate limit. (Board recommends 17)

Despite arguments resulting from last year’s rule change allowing pitchers to take one step off the rubber directly backward prior to delivering the pitch, this was still preferred over the older rule of keeping one foot on the rubber while delivering the pitch. (Board disagrees, too many arguments, go back to original rule of keeping one foot on rubber until pitch is delivered).

Pitcher hesitations and two steps off the rubber were each discussed, but did not have majority support. (Board agrees with majority)

To deter quick pitches, pitchers should start with both feet on the rubber. (Board agrees)

All illegal pitches should be live balls, batters have the option to swing even if a pitcher hesitates or steps sideways off the rubber. (Board agrees)

Unlimited arch pitching rule was discussed, but consensus was to keep the 6’ – 12’ rule. (Board agrees)

Establishing a batter’s box was discussed, but the consensus was to have no batter’s box. However, a batter should be called out if he steps on the plate while swinging. (Board agrees)

Lower fees are preferred over having prize money that would result in higher fees. (Board agrees)

The possibility of starting the league in mid April was discussed, but consensus was to start in the last week of April with no practice game on the first day as was done in some past years. (Board agrees)

The majority of managers prefer to keep the 5 run rule and slaughter rule in effect for playoffs, the same as done for the regular season. (Board agrees)

One big league is preferred over having two separate divisions. (Board is OK with that, but is open to changing for 2010 season if 8 teams prefer recreational rules while 8 other teams prefer more competitive rules - example: We are going to kick your butt, and after that we will also play some softball).

Playoffs will be single elimination with all teams competing. (Board agrees, but with some creative seeding changes)

Courtesy runners should be the last batted out, even if the same runner is used more than once in the same inning. (Board says a courtesy runner should not have to run more than once per inning).

Rules that are hard to enforce, the so-called “Honors System”, should be spelled out in a separate section of the Rules. Violations can be a forfeit for the first offense, and team expulsion from the league for second offense. (Board agrees)

Changing baseline distance from 55 to 60 was discussed, consensus was to keep it at 55 feet. (Board agrees)
end