1.06 Suspension
A. Team: Any member team can be suspended by the Council or the Board from any onfield participation, for failure to pay its team registration fee or for any other debt(s) to the League. Suspension may be appealed by the member to the Council at any Council meeting.
B. Member:

1. Non-payment of dues or any other debts to the League constitutes automatic suspension.
2. Non-payment of debts owed to a member team.
3. Conduct on the field unbecoming of a good sport.

1.06.01 Ethics:

1. Unsportsman like Conduct - Defined as the following, but not limited to:

• Profanity
• Gestures
• Throwing objects
• Harassing or intimidating SA Board, team managers or other players
• Harassing, intimidating, or arguing with umpires or park staff
• SA Board harassing or intimidating team managers or other league players

First Offense: Verbal / Written warning
Second Offense: One (1) game suspension of the next scheduled game
Third Offense: Five (5) game suspension of the next five (5) scheduled games / review players eligibility to play in the World Series
Fourth Offense: One (1) calendar year suspension from date of offense and possible lifetime ban if voted on by 2/3 of the Manager’s Council
2. Physical Fighting - Defined as unwanted physical contact, which could include pushing or striking another.
First Offense: Immediate ejection from the game and a five (5) game suspension of the next five (5) scheduled games
Note: Ethics Committee (or if there’s not one, the Council) to review and recommend to Board if player should be eligible for World Series
Second Offense: Lifetime expulsion from league play Note: It is the responsibility of the game umpires to document noted infractions on the scorecard. A copy of the notation will then be provided to the Board, where a copy will be maintained by the league Secretary for tracking purposes. It is the responsibility of the Board to check previous infractions to determine the level of punishment.
3. Conduct of League Members at any League Function League function is defined as follows, but not limited to:

• League game
• After game party
• League party
• Wherever member is representing the league in a tournament or world series
• Any League sponsored event
Note: Playing and attending league functions are a privilege as a league member. Therefore the behavior of the member should be held to a standard in which good sportsmanship is recognized. Good sportsmanship would include, but not be limited to, fair play, no fighting, not interfering with game play, not harassing players or staff during play. If an individual or team is fined at the World Series, they will be responsible for paying the fine(s) unless the membership votes otherwise.
4. Spectators (Non-league members attending games) - While the league appreciates non-playing members enjoying the game play, the spectators will be held to a standard of conduct consistent with good sportsmanship. If inappropriate behavior of fighting creates a hinder to game play, the umpire can give verbal warning to the Manager of the team in which the spectator is supporting. If the conduct continues, the spectator will be asked to leave the park.
5. Methods to Address Issues to the Board - A specific method should be instituted in regards to addressing any issues to be reviewed by the Board. This method shall be done in either written or electronic (email) format. The issue should be addressed utilizing the facts that are available and it should be delivered to a Board member. Under no circumstances should a league member engage in a confrontation and intimidation tactics with a Board member, such confrontation would include physical, verbal, written or electronic (e-mail). Members should avoid attempting to sway the emotions of other league members by nature of verbal, written or electronic (e-mail) communications. Members bring issues to the Board shall do so within 48 hours of the incident. The Board shall address the issues as soon as possible from the time received.
6. Ethics Committee Installation - The Board will have authority to establish an Ethics Committee, assigned and in place to the first day of game play for each season. It should be noted that no member of the Ethic’s Committee would be permitted to voice a vote in any offense involving themselves or their team.
7. Disciplinary Review Process - Any league member has the right to appeal any disciplinary action to the Board. The members of the Board reserve the right to have the final decision in any disciplinary action, which would include any recommendations made by the Ethics Committee. The Board will respond to any appeals within 48 hours.

1.07 Expulsion:
A) Team: A team that forfeits three (3) games is no longer eligible to participate in the League for that season.

1. Eligible players from a team that is no longer eligible to play in the League may change teams subject to a majority vote approval of this change by the Council.
2. All eligible players from such dissolved teams retain all League privileges regardless of whether they join another team.
3. When a team forfeits out of a regular season, all games played by that team will be eliminated from the standings and a new Win/Loss standing will be determined.

LEAGUE PLAYING RULES
10.01 League Structure
The League consists of one division – Open. The division is divided into conferences, according to skill level, in accordance with the player ranking system of NAGAAA, where applicable.

10.02 Team Manager Responsibilities

A. Represent his/her team at Council meetings. (He/she may designate a Proxy)
B. Report the results of Council meetings back to his/her team.
C. Collect and submit to the Assistant Commissioner: Player Rosters, Waivers, Team Registration Fees, and Player Fees.
D. Submit a LEGIBLE roster card to the umpire and opposing team manager before each game.
E. Maintaining that his or her team conducts itself in a level of good sports.
F. Turn in, to the Umpire, or as designated person by the Board, team game results and roster cards each week during the season.

10.03 New Player Draft
Each year the League may hold a recruitment drive to recruit new players. The new players that have been recruited by the League shall be separated by their desire and ability by the Draft Committee. Teams in each League division shall then draft the new Recruits. The draft order in each League division shall be the team finishing lowest in the standings having the first pick for that division, with the next to last finisher next, etc. Team participation in the draft is voluntary. New teams draft order shall be determined by said division managers.
10.03.01 Penalties
Once a player has participated in the draft, they cannot be picked up by any team, except by the draft procedures above. or coaches of any team attempting to circumvent the draft are subject to disciplinary action by the Council.
10.04 Forfeits
A team will forfeit a game if it fails to have 9 players on the field after 5 minutes past the game starting time.
10.05 Team Rosters
A team must consist of at least 9 active players but not more than 20 active players. There is no roster limit on non-players. The initial team roster must be submitted to the Assistant Commissioner, together with the player fees by the date designated by the Board for each season. A player may only be on one team roster per season.
10.05.01 Additions
Additions to the roster may be submitted together with player fee(s) at any time for new members of the league. The Treasurer or league officer must be notified of the addition before the game in which the new player is permitted to play.
10.05.02 Changes
A player may, upon notification to the Board and to the team that (s)he is leaving, change teams through the second week of any season. After week two, any roster changes must be approved by a majority vote of the affected teams in that division.
10.05.03 Replacement/Injured Players
A team can replace an injured player with another player on the roster providing the player will no longer return for the rest of the season. A statement from the player could be required. The player replaced can only come back if a new fee is paid for the replacement player. Also, teams can replace players with new players if a player has only played two games and will no longer return. A player that has moved and has only played two games can request a refund, but must provide proof of moving.

10.06 Suggested Awards (To be determined by vote of Council)

A. First Place Playoffs in each Conference - Permanent Team Trophy, and individual awards. The Council is to determine by season if there will be a playoff. During the Spring NAGAAA qualifying season, the first place team earns the right to represent SA at the NAGAAA Gay World Series unless otherwise determined by majority vote by the Board.
B. Second Place Playoffs in each Conference - Permanent Team Trophy.
C. First Place Season in each Conference -Team Trophy, Individual Trophies
D. Second Place Season in each Conference - Permanent Team Trophy.

10.07 Playing Rules:

A. Exceptions to rules may be made to affect the entire League by a majority vote of the Council; or made to effect a division by a majority vote of the teams in that division.
B. League games shall be regulated by the field rules of play sanctioned by the managing entity of the fields we play. Exceptions are listed below.
C. An official game may be started with a minimum of 9 players per team.
D. No metal spikes are permitted.
E. Teams representing SA in the World Series must adhere to the NAGAAA guidelines concerning heterosexual players.
F. A lineup may contain up to 1 Designated Hitter, for a total of 11 players.
G. One courtesy runner is allowed per inning. A courtesy runner is the player in the lineup that made the last out.
H. To participate in the playoffs for a season, a player must have participated on the roster card for at least 50% of that season’s possible games in the Open Division.
I. The run rule in effect of 20 runs after 3innings, 15 run after 4.
J. Picking up players from other teams will be a forfeit even if the game is played.
K. Ties will be broken using extra innings, one pitch per batter, with last batter starting on second base.

10.08 Field Conditions

A. The umpire will have power to stop or postpone a game due to an unsafe field.
B. Once a game is cancelled or postponed it cannot be played until it is rescheduled.
C. If the umpire deems the field safe to play but both managers feel it is unsafe, then the game will be postponed.
D. Postponements due to weather conditions will be made by the Commissioner no earlier than 24 hours before the game.
E. Games that do not affect team standings will only be cancelled at the end of the season if fields are not available.

Definitions of Terms/Abbreviations
By-Laws - Refers to the governance of Softball Austin Board Refers to the Board of Commissioners (Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Treasurer and Secretary).
Council Managers Council – refers to the council made up of commissioners and one designated representative from each team. League refers to Softball Austin.
Proxy - Refers to a person who is filling in for the designated Council representative in their absence.
Rules - Refers to the Playing Rules, Ethics and Operational Procedures.
SA - Softball Austin.