BULLETIN

Tuesday, December 16, 2011

2012 Spring/Summer Registration

We will be starting our early registration for the 2012 Spring/Summer Season effective 12/16/11. The season start date is tentative for March 4th, 2012. Fees will be as follows:

Early Registration
$300 - 12/16 to 1/21/12
Regular Registration
$350- 1/22/12 to 3/4/12
Late Registration
$400- Any payment after 3/4/12.
 

2012 Thursday Night Registration
As many of you know, our Thursday night league at Salt Lake was competitive, exciting and a great success. Due to the success of Thursday night, the city council has approved a contract to allow LAMSL as their Thursday night league. The city shuts down their fields for maintenance but will restart the use of fields in March. We currently have all past teams interested in returning and have other teams interested in joining. Due to the demand, we will start accepting registration immediately. Unfortunately, we can only accept the first 8 teams. It will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will be $350.00 but we will accept a $200 deposit to hold your spot. Teams that pay the full registration will be given priority.
 

Tuesday, November 16, 2011

2011/2012 Winter Season Meeting Agreements

The following was discussed and agreed upon for the upcoming winter season:

-Each division will consist of 8 teams.
-There will only be one round of "regular games."
-Teams will then be split into TOP 4 and BOTTOM 4.
-Top 2 teams from each division after all "regular games" will be eligible for 1st and 2nd place prizes.
-Every team will then be eligible for playoffs.
-The first round of playoffs will be a one-game elimination. All games after will be best 2-out-of-3.
-The top seed will always be home team for initial games. If a third game is played, top seed will remain home team.

Playoffs will be played as follows:
-Round 1 - Single-Game Elimination: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3, 5 vs 8 and 6 vs 8.
-Round 2 - Double-Game Elimination
-Division Championship Game - Double-Game Elimination

Prizes:
-1st Place Hoodies
-2nd Place T shirts

Championship
-Trophy
 

Monday, October 17, 2011

2011/2012 Winter Season

After negotiating a new plan with the umpires and parks, we are now able to provide a lower cost for the upcoming Winter Season. With the current economy crisis and several teams having to sponsor several players, we wanted to be able to assist you with a reduction in your Sunday fees. We are are confident that we will be able to continue to provide the lowest fees possible by consistently working with the cities and umpires we contract with. We look forward to being able to provide the best possible fields, umpires and most organized league in the area. The Winter Season will begin on November 6, 2011. We will be utilizing Ford Park, Maywood Park, Roosevelt Park, Veterans Park and Lynwood Park if necessary. The fees will be as follows:

Registration: $275.00 Due by November 6, 2011. ($325.00 if paid after due date)
Game Time Fees Per Team: $65.00

The following teams have confirmed for the upcoming winter season: Mixed Blood, Nationals, The LA Blues, Coyotes, Twins, Warriors, Mavericks, Punishers, Indians, Diamond Cutters, Phillies, Zacatecas, Anthrax, Heavy Hitters, Dodgers

Any team that wishes to schedule a practice game, please contact Arturo Padilla Sr. or Arturo Padilla Jr.
Thank you.
 

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Thursday Night Modified Softball League @ Salt Lake Park

We are currently working on the final details to get the Thursday night modified league started at Salt Lake Park. Although some details remain to be ironed out between the league and the City of Huntington Park, we are confident we will have the final contract settled soon. We have had a significant amount of teams show interest in the Thursday night league but need to limit it to only 8 teams. If all goes as planned we will be utilizing two fields with 2 games scheduled on each field. The regular Sunday rules will be modified in order to accommodate the Thursday night schedule. Games will be scheduled at 7:45 and 9:00 (One hour fifteen minute games). Although we currently do not have the registration fees and game fees available for the teams interested, we can assure you that both the City of Huntington Park and L.A.M.S.L. will do everything possible to keep the team expenses reasonable and comparable to any other fee you have paid in other weeknight leagues. We will start taking a registration deposit of $150.00 for those teams interested and will only take the first 8 teams. The deposit is refundable if you decide to pull the team out. We are looking forward to the Thursday night league and can assure you it will be an exciting competitive season. Please contact League Secretary, Johana Vargas, to register your team or if you are a player looking for a team. Contact her via e-mail so that she can place you on the free agent list.

Contact Johana Vargas
LAMSL Secretary
Phone: 562-458-2824
E-mail: lamslsecretary@yahoo.com
 

Monday, August 29, 2011

Weeknight Modified-Pitch Softball

We are currently trying to organize weeknight modified seasons throughout the LA area. Whittier Narrows is offering us their fields on Monday night. We will need a minimum of 6 teams and a maximum of 8. We are currently working on starting a Thursday night league as well with a field to-be-determined soon. Please call or e mail Johana Vargas and advise her if you are interested. Players without a team are also encouraged to let her know and you will be placed on a draft list.
Contact LAMSL Secetaty, Johana Vargas.
Phone: 562-458-2824
E-mail: lamslsecretary@yahoo.com
 

Saturday, July 23, 2011

2011/2012 Fall/Winter Season

The league will be offering an early registration discount for any team that is interested in participating in the upcoming Fall/Winter Season.

The prizes will be cash prizes and will be determined by the amount of teams that participate. We already have several teams showing interest, so please try to take advantage of the following discount rate:

Early Registration: $200.00 (Offer good until August 20th)
Regular Registration: $275.00 (Offer good until start of season)
Late Registration: $350.00 (if paid on or after start of season)

Any teams that wish to participate in practice games at Avocado Heights Park, we will be scheduling them at a reduced rate of $60.00 per game. (Practice games only)
Please inform Johana Vargas if you wish to have games scheduled at that location.
Phone: 562-458-2824
E-mail: lamslsecretary@yahoo.com

Note: Please do not contact Arturo Padilla, Sr. or Arturo Padilla, Jr. for any payment arrangements. Any payments or payment arrangements must to be made through Johana Vargas, League Secretary. Please make sure to contact her only for payments. Thank You

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Illegal Bat Rule

Any bat that is suspected of being shaved or altered in any way in order to increase the velocity of the ball coming off of the bat shall be brought to the umpire's attention. Players that suspect illegal bats shall bring it to the attention of their manager at which time the manager shall point out the bat in question. The umpire will notify the opposing team's manager with the bat in questions and ask who the owner of the bat is. Once the person is pointed out, the umpire will write the individual's name on his score sheet. Umpire will be required to obtain player's full name and phone number. The umpire will proceed to instruct the manager to remove the bat in question from the game. If the manager refuses to do so, the umpire shall allow the bat to be used for the remainder of the game but will confiscate the bat after. If the manager chooses to continue to use the bat for the remainder of the game and refuses to turn in the bat to the umpire after the game, this shall be interpreted as a sign of dishonesty and will give the league no choice but to come to the conclusion the bat in question is illegal. The council will then determine the appropriate discipline for the player or team in question.

NOTE: Any player that knowingly uses a shaved or altered bat and injures any player will be held accountable for their actions. All of their information will be given to the proper authorities. Any player knowingly using a shaved or altered bat can easily be proven to have had the intent to injure a player and can be charged with 245 of the California Penal Code - Assault with a deadly weapon.  The league will cooperate fully with authorities during their investigation.
 

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Schedule and Scores Delay

We apologize for the delay in posting last Sunday's results and this coming Sunday's schedule. Due to Father's Day we were unable to make ourselves available in order to obtain all results from the umpires. We are also attempting to finish the first round of most divisions, including the women's, by scheduling needed double-headers. This must be done in order to make up games that were either postponed by teams asking for byes or rain outs. Some double-headers needed to be scheduled for those teams that were allowed to start the season after it's commencement.

Finalized Rosters and ID Pictures

For those divisions that are now finishing the first round, we will need a finalized roster e-mailed or mailed to the the League Secretary. This is required by all teams, men and women. Any pictures that are missing will also be required, and if the player wishes not to have it posted on the website, then the manager is responsible for getting us the hard copy of the picture. We will be enforcing the illegal player rule for the playoffs. Please comply with our request in order to avoid any problems during the post-season.

We do not require a player signature for your finalized roster as long as the player has been signing the weekly sign-in sheet at game time.

E-mail finalized roster to lamslsecretary@yahoo.com 
 

Monday, June 20, 2011

Information Discussed at Last Meeting

We have now scheduled one manager's meeting per month.  We will be enforcing the fine if teams do not send a representative. Please make necessary arrangements to fulfill this obligation. Any player on the team roster may attend.  Fine will be enforced and due the following day.  Failure to do so may be cause for forfeit.

Rule Change to Women's League

Effective June 19th, the Women's League will be allowed to start their games with eight players. If the team with eight players refuses to give up its home team status, they will only have one and a half innings to produce the ninth player. It would be in the team's best interest to become the visiting team. This will be the manager's option at game time.

Protest Result for Diamond Vixens vs. Aztecas

8 members present.
Arturo Padilla Sr. - Legue President
Arturo Padilla Jr. -  League Vice President
Paul Macias - Manager White Sox/Honorary Council Member
Dave Macias - Honorary Council Member
Jesse Martinez - League Senior Umpire
Alex Hernandez - Manager Diamond Cutters
Sean Flores - Diamond Cutters/ Independent Council Participant
Tony Rivas - Manager - Home Wreckers

All members unanimously agreed on the following: (The following decision was based on statements and facts from all parties involved including umpire officiating the actual game.)

Although we all recognize that the umpire interpreted the manager from Diamond Vixens accepting to play an official game utilizing a 9th player from another team, the fact still remains that at game time, Aztecas only had 8 players. Aztecas manager never mentioned to the umpire that a ninth player was on her way, which if told, perhaps, the manager from D-Vixens may have allowed it. The league allows discretion on certain rules, such as a missing shirt, missing hat or asking for a few minutes after game time in order to allow the game to proceed. These factors do not impact the actual game being played.

A player from another team would be an impact on the actual game, and for that reason, the league enforces the rule regardless of what arrangement was made, and regardless, if the umpire agreed. Allowing a player from another team from the league, without the approval from other managers, discredits the league and its rules and could be the start of bad habits from all teams. The fact that the manager from D-Vixens changed her mind during the game, and while losing by several runs, does not change the facts that occurred at the start of the game. 

All council members agree that although the manager should have not changed her mind after the umpire notified her it would be played as an official game and after seeing that the ninth player had arrived, it still does not change the rule and the league's stance on enforcing it. Technically, after the 9th player was not present at game time, everything else that occurred after is irrelevant.
 

Friday, December 3, 2010

New LAMSL Events

 We are proud to announce we have made arrangements with Big League Dreams to hold our Spring/Summer season divisional playoff games and Champion of Champions games at the Big League League Dreams West Covina facility.  Please attend the managers meeting or contact me via e-mail or cell for further information.

We are currently negotiating a contract with Whittier Narrows for Sundays.  We will be starting a Wednesday and Thursday modified pitch league at the Whittier Narrows facilities as well. Please e-mail me or contact me via cell phone if you are interested in participating.

Details on these future events will be discussed at the upcoming managers meetings which you are all welcome to attend.

LAMSL VP, Art Padilla, Jr. - E-mail: lamsl1976@aol.com, Cell: 562-325-2867
 

Friday, July 16, 2010

New Policies and Procedures

 Game Time
- The umpire will announce "Last Inning" 15 minutes prior to the 2-hour game allotment.

Extra Innings
- $3 per team, per inning

Hit-By-Pitch
- Division A Only: 1st base is granted to a batter on a hit-by-pitch.

$2 Monthly Fee
- This fee covers general league expenses such as increased park fees implemented by Lynwood and Roosevelt - Not clubhouse expenses.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Forfeit Games

 Effective Immediately

All forfeits will be played 7 innings instead of 5 innings. Any questions, please feel free to contact LAMSL VP, Art Padilla Jr.:
Phone: (562) 325-2867
E-mail: lamsl1976@aol.com

Friday, April 23, 2010

Bats - MEMO From LAMSL VP, Art Padilla, Jr.

After some investigating and calls made to ASA along with much discussion with my dad, Paul, David, members of the board and league this is what we came up with.

ASA DOES NOT allow rolling of the bat.  Although it is not illegal to roll, once this process is done to the bat it is no longer an approved ASA bat.  The bat rolling is actually considered an accelerated break in process which ASA does not approve of.  Depending on the times it is rolled it can add up to 600 to 800 hits to the bat.  The reason this is not illegal is due to the fact the bat is not being shaved, altered or painted.  Instead the bats properties are being intentionally modified for the purpose of increased performance.

In other words, if a batter has had a bat for a long period of time and has 800 or more hits on the bat, his bat would now be equal to a new bat that has been rolled to appear as if it has 800 times.  That is the reason it is not criminally illegal.  It may be illegal to use in ASA sanctioned leagues, but you are not facing any criminal charges.  It would also be impossible to prove in a court of law if the bat itself was rolled, heated or if the person struck a tree 800 times with the bat to break it in.

ASA can not and will never allow any form of technique or altering regardless of how silly it may be if it will add performance or a slight edge to the bat.  As ASA put it to me, if you ask me if striking your new bat against a tree or obect 800 times to break it in is allowed, as silly as it may seem, they will say no.  ASA can not sanction, encourage or approve any form of increased performance to any bat regardless how silly it may seem. This opens ASA up for liability.

Bat heating, rolling, striking the bat against a tree 800 times would be impossible to prove in court but they make it illegal to use regardless in order to protect themselves from any liability.  Any actual physical altering such as removing parts from a bat, painting it to seem as if it is another bat, etc, is a different strory.  That process is criminally illegal and can be proven in a court of law, making the player, team and possibly the league liable.

Although Demarini actually marks their bats and encourages them to be rolled versus doing anything else to them, we will stick to ASA's stand on the matter.

Bottom line is we will do the same as ASA and not encourage or sanction bat rolling in order to avoid opening a can of worms.  The fact that we will never be able to prove if a bat was in fact rolled, struck against a tree or heated with towels will not sway the league into doing otherwise.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Pitching Note

This is the way the pitching rule is written as the modified fast pitch rule found on a Google search. Please remind your pitchers that although we have allowed some modifications to the rule, it is not a free-for-all and we are still a modified fast pitch league. The umpires have been instructed to enforce the following:

Pitching Rules

As in baseball or fast-pitch softball, the pitcher must begin his or her delivery by coming to a full stop for at least one-second while standing with both feet contacting the pitching rubber. There are limitations on the pitcher's windup to keep the speed of the pitch lower than it would be in a typical fast-pitch softball game. The pitcher cannot rotate his or her arm in a windmill motion to generate speed or rock back and forth before starting the windup.

This is the leagues interpretation and how we will enforce the above rule:

1) Although the pitcher is allowed to take a step back, he must only take one step forward as the pitch is being released.  While doing so the pitcher must keep one foot on the rubber at all times.  Any movement from the planted foot can be interpreted as the pitcher removing his foot from the rubber, which will be a cause for an illegal pitch.

2) The pitch must be presented with the palm upward.  There should be no twist of the hand or covering of the ball as it is being delivered.  The pitcher is not allowed to strike any part of his leg as he is preparing to deliver the ball.  This usually causes a movement in the ball or velocity in the pitch.

3) The pitcher is allowed to twist his upper body to the side as long as both feet remain facing forward and the pitch is made on a straight delivery.  (i.e., at the time of delivery, the pitchers arm must be completely straight as it is coming forward, even with the leg just prior to delivery.

4) As the pitcher brings his arm back, he must not raise his shoulder. elbow or arm above neck level.

Any of the above violations will be cause for an illegal pitch.  After the third illegal pitch is made, the pitcher will no longer be allowed to pitch but can play a different position

We must keep this league a fun and safe league to play in.  We welcome new pitchers that can bring some excitement to the league and competitiveness.  We must remember that players signed up to play modified fast pitch and that is what we must enforce.