

UTAH AMATEUR SOFTBALL
ASSOCIATION
CODE
Revised November 2011
Any
Red underlined language indicates a change for 2012
ARTICLE 1: Name The
name of the association shall be the Utah Amateur Softball Association,
Inc. and shall be known as the Utah ASA.
ARTICLE 2: Purpose
The purpose of the association shall be to foster, develop, promote and
regulate amateur softball; to provide proper safeguards in accordance with
the spirit of true sportsmanship; to encourage the unification of all
softball teams and umpires to cause the advance of amateur softball; to
promote and conduct softball tournaments and to promote the qualified
teaching of softball to the residents of Utah.
ARTICLE 3:
Jurisdiction The Utah ASA is an affiliated member of the Amateur
Softball Association of America /USA Softball, which is recognized through
the 1978 Congressional Amateur Sports Act by the United States Olympic
Committee and the International Softball Federation, as the national
governing body of amateur softball in the United States of America. The Code
of the ASA is adopted by this association and is incorporated herein by
reference.
ARTICLE 4:
Territory The association shall be limited to include all of the
state of Utah.
ARTICLE 5:
Officers The State President, Vice President and Player
Representative of the association shall be elected at the Commissioner's
Council annual meeting to serve a one year term. Candidates for State
Player Representative must be a district player representative before being
eligible for State Player Representative election. The State President,
Vice President or Player Representative of the association can be removed
for just cause by a two-thirds vote of the Commissioner's Council or
Executive Committee, providing notice is mailed to each member at least ten
days prior to the vote on removal. Officer vacancies may be filled at a
regular meeting of the Commissioner's Council or Executive Committee,
providing notice is mailed to each member not less than ten days prior to
the meeting at which the vacancy is to be filled. In addition to the
elected officers, the State Commissioner shall appoint annually, a
Secretary, State Umpire In Chief, a State Junior Olympic Commissioner, and
as many Deputy and District Commissioners, Deputy Umpire In Chief and Deputy
Junior Olympic Commissioners as deemed necessary for the conduct of business
of the association. Duties of the president shall be to preside at all
sessions of the Executive Committee and the Commissioner's Council
meeting. The President shall help to promote the ASA and try to recruit new
team and umpire registrations. Shall perform such duties as may be required
(i.e. attend tournaments, hand out awards, and other assignments requested
by the State Commissioner). The Vice President shall assist the President
and perform such duties as may be requested by the State Commissioner.
State Player Representative and Junior Olympic Commissioner shall help to
promote the ASA programs and help to increase team registrations. They shall
assist in providing player and coaches’ clinics. Attend all meetings and
perform other duties as requested by the State Commissioner.
ARTICLE 6:
Commissioner's Council The Commissioner's Council shall
be composed of State and District personnel. State personnel shall consist
of all members of the Executive Committee. District personnel shall consist
of the District Commissioner, District Junior Olympic Commissioner, District
Player Representative, and District Umpire in Chief.
Other members of the Commissioner's Council shall
include one representative for each Recreation Department/League that
registers 100% of their softball teams/players with the Utah ASA.
Each member of the Commissioner's Council shall have one vote at the annual
meeting. Vacancies shall be filled by the appropriate State and/or District
Commissioner. Proxies will not be allowed for Council meetings.
ARTICLE 7: Executive
Committee The Executive Committee shall be composed of the
State and District Commissioners, the State Deputy Commissioners, the State
President, State Vice President, State Umpire In Chief, State Junior Olympic
Commissioner, State Player Representative, State Secretary, State Treasurer,
and the immediate past president. Each member of the Executive Committee
shall have one vote at all meetings. The Executive Committee shall be
responsible for the affairs of the association between council meetings.
Proxies will be allowed for meetings of the Executive Committee providing
the proxy is a member of the District Commissioners staff. In the case of
State Officers, the proxy shall be selected from the District in which they
reside. All such proxies must submit a letter of proxy to the State
Commissioner ten days prior to the meeting. The letter of proxy must be
signed by the Executive Committee member who is absent. Executive Committee
meetings can only be attended by Executive Committee members.
ARTICLE 8:
Meetings The Commissioner's Council will meet
annually following the ASA National Council meeting. The purpose of the
annual Commissioner's Council meeting is to elect state officers, vote on
properly submitted Code changes, approve the list of sanctioned tournaments,
train council members in job responsibilities, and conduct any other
business that may properly come before the council. The Commissioner's
Council can only be attended by voting members. The Utah ASA General
Association meetings will be held at a date following the Commissioner's
Council meeting and is open to everyone. The purpose of the General
Association meeting is to communicate to the association members the
information pertinent for the upcoming season.
ARTICLE 9:
League Rules Leagues or districts retain the right to
administer their programs with more or less restrictive playing and
eligibility rules. Any deviation from ASA rules must be clearly specified
for those teams and players involved. It is understood that deviations from
ASA rules may render players not eligible for ASA championship play. In the
case of ASA suspended or disqualified teams, players, coaches, managers,
leagues are advised that if they allow these people to participate, the ASA
will not provide umpires. A league is defined as: a specific group of teams
that play at a specific location. Teams playing in accelerated leagues are
considered accelerated teams and, therefore cannot enter the Recreation
State Championship tournament. The State Commissioner will determine leagues
and their players’ classification/level of play.
League tournaments may only
include registered, regular season ASA teams from within each league, not
all-star teams. Recreation JO league tournaments held between
Memorial Day and Labor Day must be held Monday through Thursday, and may not
include Friday through Sunday play.
ARTICLE 10:
Classification The State Commissioner shall have the responsibility
of classifying teams, players and leagues. Classification will be based on
invitational tournament results as well as the previous year state and
regional tournament results. Any team winning the state, regional, or
national qualifier two years in a row will automatically be moved up to the
next higher level of play. Any team winning the national championship will
automatically be moved up to the next higher level of play. Teams and/or
players participating in any non ASA sanctioned tournament, in a higher
classification will be moved to the higher classification. Junior Olympic
teams and or players participating in non-sanctioned tournaments need to
understand that these tournaments will affect their Accelerated/Recreation
status. Appeals on player and/or team classification shall be in writing,
addressed and sent to the State Commissioner by March 1 of the current
playing season to be considered for re-classification. An appeal on a
player's re-classification must be made by the player. To be eligible for
review, all appeals must include statistics (to be supplied by the player)
from ASA tournaments only. League information will not be considered. The
State Commissioner shall meet with the classification board to review the
appeal and make a decision, whose decision shall be final.
ARTICLE 11: Divisions/Classifications
of Play The following are recognized by the Utah.
DIVISIONS
CLASSIFICATIONS
Men’s
and Women’s
Fast Pitch Major, A, B, C, 23 under
Men's and Women's Slow
Pitch Major, A, B, C, D, Coed, Industrial
Girls Fast and Slow
Pitch Gold-18-16-14-12-10-8 Recreation and
Accelerated
Boys Fast and Slow Pitch
18-16-14-12-10
NOTE ONE: Two separate
state tournaments, for accelerated and recreational teams, will be
conducted. Only teams playing in the accelerated state tournament may
advance in any level of championship play. Possibility of 16/10 GFP
recreational state tournaments will be determined by the State Commissioner.
NOTE TWO: Any team or
player that plays in more than two invitational tournaments during one
season will be considered to be an accelerated team or player. Players who
appear on a 3A-4A-5A high school varsity roster will be considered to be
accelerated players. Teams that play in accelerated leagues may be
classified as an accelerated team. Such teams and players must play in the
accelerated state tournament.
NOTE THREE: All Star
teams are allowed to play in the recreation state tournament. All Star
teams cannot practice or play together prior to June 1st to be
considered a recreational level team.
ARTICLE 12:
Team and Player Registration A team may register only once in
a division of play. An adult player may appear on the roster of more than
one team in one division of play, but is eligible to play in ASA
invitational and championship tournaments for only the team with the highest
classification. JO players may participate in a higher classification ASA
invitational sanctioned tournament without affecting their own
classification. They would be eligible to play for the higher classified
team for that tournament only. Rosters on which her name appears but for a
team for which she is not eligible in tournament play, must be marked NE
meaning not eligible for tournament play. Notwithstanding the above, a
player may appeal the decision of limiting her play to the higher
classification to the District Commissioner of jurisdiction. The appeal
must be in writing and sent to the District Commissioner who will then meet
with the State Commissioner on the appeal for consideration. Such appeals
must be made prior to the player signing any roster. Exception: A team may
add players to their regular league roster from a lower class, providing
that said additions take place prior to June l, and the players are removed
from the higher classification on June l.
ARTICLE 13:
Team/Individual Registration Fees Teams may become members of the
association by paying the annual registration fee. All teams registering
with the state association will be registered with the Amateur Softball
Association of America. All adult teams and JO Recreation teams shall pay a
registration fee of $20.00 per team and each team in the league must join
and pay the fee. Independent teams, without ASA league affiliation or
because all league members did not register, shall pay a registration fee of
$40.00. Fall teams and league registration fee is $15.00. Accelerated JO
player registration fee shall not exceed $25.00 per player on the team’s
roster. Any adult working with a JO team or player must pay a registration
fee not exceeding $25.00, and submit to a background check. This includes
any adult managing, coaching, and scorekeeping or otherwise involved with a
JO player or team. One Coach per team must also stay current each season
with the ACE certification program.
ARTICLE 14:
Team Rosters All players must compete in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the Amateur Softball Association of America.
Junior Olympic players can participate with any number of teams prior to
April 1st of each
year but must comply with Article 18 after that.
The maximum number of players
permitted on a roster is 20, which includes all transfer players and pick up
players. No Junior
Olympic
player may transfer to another team
from 48 hours prior to the start
of the State Accelerated Championship through August 17th
of the current year. Beginning
August 18, players may try out for different teams and can migrate from
their current team’s roster. All players should have picture identification
with them at all ASA events. Once a player and/or parent have signed the
official roster form, the only person who can release the player is the head
coach.
ARTICLE 15: Travel
Permits Teams that travel to compete in National Qualifiers will
need to contact their District Commissioner at least two weeks in advance of
the tournament to obtain a special tournament entry form. This form will
replace the travel permit when attending a National Qualifier.
ARTICLE 16:
Residency Once electing to participate, a player must be properly
listed on a roster of an ASA registered team during the current season, to
be eligible to compete in any tournament play in the current season. An ASA
registered team has a minimum of 8 players Fast Pitch, and 9 players Slow
Pitch.
ARTICLE 17: Pickup Players
Teams are allowed to pickup a maximum of three players for championship
tournament competition. Add on players are used for invitational tournament
play. Pickup/add on players must come from the same or lower classification
and cannot be from a team entered at the same or advanced level of
competition. Pickups made after the State tournament must come from
players that competed in the State tournament, but their teams are not still
eligible for championship tournament play. Slow pitch teams are allowed to
pickup a maximum of three players, providing the pickups are made after the
State tournament and that they come from the same or lower classification
and from within the State of Utah.
ARTICLE 18: Junior
Olympic Competition Once a JO player and or parent has signed a
team roster, they are allowed one (1) team
transfer after April 1st, and are not to be approached about
changing teams by other coaches, team representatives, and/or parents. If a
player wants to be released she must contact her coach and ask for a written
release that will be sent to the District Commissioner on or before
48 hours prior to the start
of the Accelerated State Tournament.
A player may not be added on for
invitational play if her team is entered in tournament play that same
weekend. A player may not be picked up if her team is eligible to play in
the same or next level of tournament play. Teams advancing to regional or
national tournaments may only pick up players who have played in
championship play. All teams entered in State Championship tournaments must
be certified eligible and in good standing with the Utah ASA by the District
Commissioner from the district in which they reside. JO teams must submit
copies of documents (i.e. birth certificate, baptismal record, ASA
registration cards, etc.) to verify age in all tournament play. Coaches are
advised to carry a copy for each player at all times. Players should carry a
photo ID with them at all events.
Note: See Article 11 Note Two.
ARTICLE 19: Invitational
Tournaments Local and district organizations with
the approval of their District Commissioner, shall apply for sanction of
tournaments by mailing tournament request, along with the appropriate
sanction fee of $100.00 per classification/age division, to the State
Commissioner by the date indicated on the sanction request form. Sanction
requests received after the deadline will be assessed an additional $100.00
per classification. The appropriate fee must accompany the request in order
for consideration. The State Commissioner shall provide a list of sanctioned
tournaments to the Commissioners Council for approval. The State
Commissioner has full authority to sanction or not sanction any request
received after the deadline. Notice of acceptance or rejection shall be
provided to the person making the request. If for some reason a tournament
is canceled, the fee will be fully refunded provided the Utah ASA State
office is contacted in writing, requesting a refund. Any team participating
in an ASA sanctioned tournament while not a registered ASA team shall
forfeit their right to participate in ASA events in the future and the right
to be an ASA registered team. Teams unable to provide proof of current
registration must register with the tournament director by paying a $40.00
fee which shall be forwarded to the ASA State Office, along with the team
name, and mailing address. A tournament director allowing non registered
teams to play in an ASA sanctioned tournament shall forfeit their right to
request and run future ASA tournaments. Any
ASA registered team that fails to abide by ASA rules is subject to
disqualification from participation in ASA tournaments. No cash prizes will
be awarded to any individual, team sponsor, or family member thereof, unless
said tournament is run by the Utah ASA. No tournament will be conducted that
conflicts with championship play in the same division and classification.
All registrations and publicity shall include the statement: Sanctioned
by the Amateur Softball Association. No invitational tournaments shall
be advertised/publicized as an ASA sanctioned tournament without the
approval of the State Commissioner. All sanctioned tournament paperwork and
brackets will have the ASA logo on them. Violations may result in Executive
Committee action.
Sanction
approval requires that the following stipulations are adhered to:
1.
Tournament UIC will be assigned by the State UIC with the approval of the
State Commissioner.
The fast
pitch UIC fee is as follows:
The
fast pitch UIC fee is as follows: The slow pitch UIC
fee is as follows:
1 - 8
Teams per age group = $150.00 1- 8 Teams per
age group = $100.00
9 -19
Teams per age group = $200.00 9 -19 Teams per age
group = $150.00
20
-30 Teams per age group = $300.00 20 -30 Teams per age
group = $200.00
31
plus Teams per age group = $400.00 31 plus Teams per
age group = $250.00
Upper
and lower brackets are considered one tournament as far as UIC Fees. Age
groups that run two brackets (i.e. consolation bracket and regular bracket)
only pay the UIC fees as listed above.
2. Fast
pitch tournaments must use a minimum of two umpires per game. Umpire game
fees:
Youth
tournaments $25.00 per umpire per game.
Effective
2013: Youth tournaments, a maximum of $30.00 per umpire per game.
MFP tournaments $ 30.00 per umpire per game with 3 umpire
mechanics.
Effective
2013: Adult FP tournaments, a maximum of $35.00 per umpire per game with 3
umpire mechanics.
3. All
umpire game fees for 'IF" games that are not played will be returned to the
tournament director.
4. All
umpire game fees for tournament games not played will be returned provided
the umpires assigned to work the game not played were reassigned to another
game during that specific game slot. Any exceptions to the games fees as
outlined must be approved by the State Commissioner.
5. Slow
pitch tournaments may use one umpire. Umpire game fees: $22.00
per umpire per game.
6. Only
ASA logo balls may be used, fast pitch balls for fast pitch, slow pitch
balls for slow pitch.
7. Tournament must provide at least one new ball per game.
8. Teams from outside the State of Utah must have proof of ASA
registration, and present them to the tournament director before play
begins.
9. Only
umpires in good standing with the Utah ASA may be assigned to sanctioned
tournaments.
10. Umpires must wear the official ASA umpire attire as outlined in the ASA
Code.
11. At
the conclusion of the tournament, the tournament director is responsible for
forwarding within five days the following information and paperwork to the
State Commissioner:
Completed bracket, all rosters, tournament report, list of umpires and other
necessary paperwork.
12. Failure to comply with the above may forfeit your right to request
and run future tournaments.
ARTICLE 20: Championship
Tournaments The ASA shall
sanction championship tournaments for qualifying teams to play in state,
regional, and national tournaments in all recognized classes of competition
for which there are registered teams. All championship tournaments will be
conducted on facilities whose local league programs are 100% registered with
the Utah ASA, including but not limited to all fast pitch and slow pitch
programs. Exceptions are at the discretion of the State Commissioner. All
championship tournaments shall be conducted in accordance with the ASA
Competition Procedural Code, as well as the Rocky Mountain Regional Code and
the Utah ASA Code. At such time as the tournament bracket has been
established, money for entry fees will not be refunded for any reason. All
sales of gate tickets, programs, souvenirs, T-Shirts, etc at championship
tournaments will be administered by the Utah ASA State Office without any
encumbrances, and any championship tournament received, acknowledges this
right whether referenced therein or not. Food and drink items will be
negotiated with the championship facility. Teams and players entering
championship tournaments must be current members of the ASA with all fees
and accounts paid in full. Location of championship tournaments will be
determined by the State Commissioner. Adult and JO teams must be registered
with the Utah ASA no later than June 1 to be eligible for championship
play. Teams wishing to participate in state championship play must submit
the appropriate fee to the district commissioner in whose district the
tournament is to be played by June 1. State tournament entry fees are
$350.00. Decisions to accept late entries for championship play will be made
by the District Commissioner in whose district the tournament is to be
held. If a late entry is accepted, the team will be assessed a late fee of
$50.00. Failure to comply with the deadline may cause teams to forfeit their
right to play in championship play.
The
sanction fee for state and regional tournaments is $32.50 per team entered.
The tournament director is responsible for all additional financial
obligations. The State will provide the balls, and awards for all
championship play. Tournament directors are financially responsible to the
State ASA for these items. Any ASA registered team that fails to abide by
ASA rules is subject to disqualification from participation in ASA
tournaments. Teams that are eligible to advance in championship play and
fail to do so because of participation in other organizational play are
subject to suspension/disqualification from the ASA. At the conclusion of
the tournament there will be an awards ceremony where awards are handed out
properly to the teams. Any team eligible of advancing to the next level of
play will need to commit immediately and pay the appropriate fees. If a
team fails to comply they will forfeit their berth. At the conclusion of the
tournament the tournament director and district commissioner must forward
within five days all information and paperwork to the State Commissioner.
Finalized completed bracket, Official order of finish, All money due the
State office, List of working umpires, Financial statement, Rosters.
Tournament awards will be based on the number of teams entered into the
championship tournament.
1 - 4
Teams lst place, 5 - 8 Teams lst and 2nd place, 9 - or more lst, 2nd
and 3rd place awards.
JO
accelerated and adult teams will be bracketed into the state championships
by a straight draw. All-star teams entering the State Recreational
tournament must register as a new team.
ARTICLE 21: Umpire
Registration Fees Umpires must
be a member of an ASA district or state umpiring organization to be eligible
for Utah ASA registration. There are three classes of umpire registrations:
ASA
CERTIFIED UMPIRES The maximum
registration fee is $65.00 and the umpire must attend a Utah ASA Umpires
certification clinic and score at least 80% on a closed book exam. He is
eligible to officiate in local, district, state, regional and national
tournament and league games. He receives all ASA umpire supplies and
publications, and is covered by ASA accident and liability insurance. Youth
umpires (those 17 years of age & younger) register for a fee of $65.00 as
well.
ASA
LDS CHURCH REGISTERED UMPIRES
Registration fee is $25.00. He receives all ASA umpire supplies and
publications and is covered by ASA accident and liability insurance. Clinic
attendance and testing is offered but not required. These umpires are not
allowed to umpire ASA leagues or tournaments.
ASA
AFFILIATED UMPIRES Registration fee is $25.00, which includes the
opportunity to attend a Utah ASA umpire certification clinic, take an open
book examination and receive a book/umpire manual. These umpires are not
allowed to umpire ASA leagues or tournaments.
$5.00 of
the fee is to be deposited into the State Umpire Account. $5.00 of the fee is
to be deposited into the District Umpire Account. The remaining moneys are to
be sent to the Utah ASA State Commissioner.
ARTICLE 22: Protests
All disputes during tournament play
pertaining to the interpretation of playing rules must be settled on the
playing field by the tournament UIC or his designated representative. All
disputes over rule interpretations in league play must be submitted for ruling
in accordance with local league rules. In the absence of such league protest
rules, the protests should be submitted to the district UIC. Player
eligibility protests should be addressed to the District Commissioner/State
Commissioner.
ARTICLE 23: Suspensions
Any player, team, coach or fan, who assaults an umpire, or any other ASA
official in any manner, or who otherwise violates any ASA rule, including
eligibility rules, shall be immediately suspended. Any person(s) so
suspended, shall have a right to a hearing as outlined in the ASA Code.
Article 24: Finances All
funds of the association are to be used for the operation of the Association
and shall not inure to the benefit of any one person. The Commissioners
Committee appointed by the State Commissioner shall operate under the
guidelines established in finance operating procedures, approved by the
Executive Committee. The Association shall operate with the closing date of
December 31st.
ARTICLE 25: Amendments
This code may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive
Committee present and voting, or by a two-thirds majority vote of the members
of the Commissioner's Council present and voting. A proposed amendment to this
code must be in writing and signed by a voting member and sent to the State
Commissioner at least forty five (45) days prior to the meeting that the
amendment will be voted on. The State Commissioner will then prepare and mail
all properly submitted proposed amendments to each voting member of the
meeting on which the vote will be taken. Such mailings must be at least
fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting.