Archive for the ‘Rules’ Category

Possible ISC Changes For 2010 Season

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

With the recent influx of notices of teams ceasing operations for 2010, the ISC is taking steps to ensure that the ISC World Tournament remains a healthy and viable event that has appeal for teams, fans, host cities and the ISC.

Any proposed changes will require approval by both the ISC Executive Committee and then the full ISC Board of Directors. Our goal is to have this process completed and announced in the next five weeks.

Without going into specifics, some or all of the following may be impacted:
* PRAWN rules for 2010
* Out of Region fees
* Berth allocations to our five regions for Qualifying tournaments
* Team rankings
* Structure of both the ISC World Tournament and the ISC II Tournament of Champions

Because of the above, we suggest that teams take the above into consideration in discussions with prospective players until everyone knows exactly what changes will be implemented.

We are committed to making an announcement as quickly as possible.

Ken Hackmeister
Executive Director
www.iscfastpitch.com

ISC II Changes for 2010

Monday, August 31st, 2009

The following is a summary of changes approved by the ISC Board of Directors at the annual meeting in Quad Cities and take effect for the 2010 season that impact ISC II. Additional changes were approved that impact only WT teams. For more info click here.

Penalty for late entry fees – Any World Tournament or ISC II ToC team entry fees not received by July 20 will be assessed a $50 late fee. 

Mercy Rule Changed – The ISC abandoned its 7-run mercy rule and adopted the ASA rule which is 15-run lead after 3 innings, 12-run lead after 4 innings or 7-run lead after 5 innings.

Entry Info Letters – Once a team has qualified for the World Tournament or ISC II ToC entry, the manager is sent an information letter giving him/her all information they need for entry. In the past these letters have been mailed via snail mail rather than email. Beginning in 2010, these letters will be sent to the team manager (or designated team rep) by email with copies to the Regional Commissioners, Vice President and Tournament Host.

ISC II Eligibility Updated

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

ISC announces appeals process for players in ISF competition

April 7, 2009 – The International Softball Congress is announcing a modification to existing ISC II eligibility rules for players and pitchers who compete in the ISF World Championship.

The modified rule will enable players or pitchers who play in the ISF World Championship to file an appeal for ISC II eligibility. ISF pitchers and players must follow the same appeals process in place for those named on the ISC II Ineligible Pitchers List or PRAWN list or who competed in the most recent ISC World Tournament, Canadian Senior Men’s National Championship or ASA Major National Championship. Pitchers and players who have previously been classified as eligible for ISC II are exempted from having to appeal.

The rule change was approved by the ISC Executive Committee.

Under the previous eligibility rules, pitchers and players who competed in either of the most recent Pan Am championship or the ISF World Championship were not eligible to play in ISC II competition, effectively a four-year ban with no avenue to appeal. The rule change provides the ability to appeal.

The stipulation with regard to the Pan Am championship has been deleted as men’s fastpitch is no longer a part of the Pan Am Games. Pitchers and players who participate in the Pan Am qualifier will be governed by the ISC II Ineligible Pitchers List along with the requirement for all international region pitchers and players to be approved by the ISC prior to playing in ISC II.

At the time when the Pan Am/ISF rule was conceived in late 2003, it wasn’t believed that any ISC II pitchers would be members of a national team, but with the continued “internationalization” of fastpitch, there are at least three pitchers currently at the ISC II level who would have been unable to continue to play in ISC II for four years under the old rule. In addition, interest has been expressed by some international teams about playing in the ISC II Tournament of Champions, which they would not have been able to do prior to this change.

The updated Eligibility Rules are reproduced below and can be found in the ISC II section of the ISC website at www.iscfastpitch.com.

For further information on the ISC, please contact

Ken Hackmeister
ISC Executive Director
iscken@comcast.net

or

Jim Williamson
ISC II Vice-President
jrwilliamson@foodfacility.com

ISC II Eligibility Guidelines
Below are the Guidelines for ISC II eligibility for teams, position players and pitchers. Please note that all eligibility issues must be resolved prior to any team, player or pitcher participating in any ISC II Travel League, Regional Qualifying Tournament or Championship Tournament. See below for submitting appeals.

Teams:
Teams that competed in the previous year’s ISC World Tournament, the previous year’s ASA “Major” Tournament or the previous year’s Canadian Senior Men’s Championship and are returning at least 70% of their roster cannot play in the ISC II Tournament of Champions unless an appeal is granted.

Appeals will be considered through the process outlined below until June 1 of the current year.

Position Players:
Any player who participated in the most recent ISF World Championship, the previous year’s ISC World Tournament, the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship or the ASA “Major” National tournament or is an ISC “PRAWN” cannot play in the ISC II Tournament of Champions unless an appeal is granted. Appeals will be considered through the process outlined below until June 1 of the current year.

Pitchers:
Any pitcher that participated in the most recent ISF World Championship, the previous year’s ISC World Tournament, the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship or the ASA “Major” National tournament or is an ISC “PRAWN” or whose name appears on the ISC II Ineligible Pitchers list published in the ISC II section of the ISC website cannot play in the ISC II Tournament of Champions unless an appeal is granted.

Appeals will be considered through the process outlined below until June 1 of the current year. Note: Appeals for pitchers/players in the most recent ISF World Championship must be filed by June 1, but evaluation will not begin until the first day after completion of the ISF tournament.

Exceptions:
Pitchers who are currently classified as ISC II eligible are exempted from having to appeal if they pitch in the ISF World Championship.

Rosters:
All ISC II team rosters must be approved by the ISC prior to participation in any Qualifying Tournament or Championship Tournament.

No team, player or pitcher will be allowed to compete in both the ISC World Tournament and ISC II Tournament of Champions in the same season.

No player or pitcher may attempt to qualify for the ISC II Tournament of Champions from more than one region or for more than one team in any one season.

Pitchers or players who play on an ISC team which qualifies for the ISC World Tournament but does not attend are not eligible to play in the ISC II Tournament of Champions.

ISC II teams may have up to three (3) out-of-region players, including from the international region. There is a limit of two (2) out-of-region pitchers per team, including from the international region. All out-of-region players must be registered with the ISC, and the appropriate fee must be paid by May 1 of the current year.

NOTE: It is mandatory that any international region pitcher or player be submitted for approval even if he doesn’t appear on the ineligible list.

Additional details on out-of-region player registration and fees can be found on the ISC website under the Rules section.

Once teams have qualified for the ISC II Tournament of Champions, they are allowed three (3) pickups from ISC II-eligible players from within their region. Pickups must meet all ISC II eligibility guidelines and must be noted on the final roster submitted at the Tournament of Champions registration.

Returning teams must have 70% of their roster to qualify for an automatic berth for the following year.

Appeals:
All appeals must be submitted no later than June 1 of the current year to your ISC Regional Vice President (see the Contacting Us page for details) using the ISC Appeal form (available on the Rules and Forms page).

Any eligibility questions not covered above should be directed to your team’s Regional VP and copied to ISC II VP Jim Williamson (jrwilliamson@foodfacility.com) and ISC II Commissioner Blair Setford (blairjs@rogers.com).

The ISC strongly suggests resolving eligibility questions early so there are no surprises or disappointments prior to league, tournament or championship play.

Jim Williamson
ISC II Vice President
jrwilliamson@foodfacility.com

Blair Setford
ISC II Commissioner
blairjs@rogers.com

Summary of ISC Changes for 2009

Monday, March 2nd, 2009


At the ISC Board of Directors meeting in Kimberly, the following changes were approved for implementation in 2009. They appear below in no particular order of importance.

1. ISC II Player Reclassification Request Deadline – Appeals to have current World Tournament players reclassified for ISC II eligibility, must be submitted no later than June 1. See new process for requesting reclassification below.

2. Reclassification and Appeal Form Created – A new form and process for reclassifications and appeals has been created and is now displayed on the ISC Web Site www.iscfastpitch.com Click on Rules & Forms link in the left margin of front page.

A. The initial team request or appeal must be sent to the Regional Vice President.
Decision to be made within 5-business days.

B. Player reclassification requests from teams, denied at the Regional level, may be appealed to the ISC II Reclassification Committee jrwilliamson@foodfacility.com and blairjs@rogers.com and a decision will be made within 5-business days.

C. Player reclassification requests denied by the ISC II Reclassification Committee and all other appeals denied at the Regional level, may be appealed to the ISC Executive Committee by submitting the appeal form and a non-refundable $100 credit card fee and sending it to the ISC Executive
Director. Decision to be made within 5-business days.

D. Appeal decisions made by the ISC Executive Committee are final.

3. PRAWN Age Factor – If a non-PRAWN player makes an ISC All-World team in or after the calendar year of his 45th birthday, that player will be considered a PRAWN for only one year. PRAWN players who have made or make an ISC All-World team in the calendar year of their 41st through 44th birthday may request to be excluded from the PRAWN list in the calendar year of their 46th birthday by providing proof of age to the ISC Executive Director by May1.

The changed PRAWN rules are shown on the ISC Web Site (Rules & Forms) and the 2009 PRAWN list is also on the web site (Tournaments link and scroll down to the bottom of the page).

4. ISC II Move-up Berths – Beginning with 2009 ISC II Tournament of Champions, the top two finishing teams will be provided automatic berths in the following year’s ISC World Tournament (2010), and will not be eligible for ISC II qualifiers or the Tournament of Champions in that following year.

5. Mexico and Caribbean Return to US Regions – For 2009 ISC play, residents of Mexico and Caribbean countries will be attached to US Regions as they were in the 2007 season. Mexico is divided between US West and US Central while all Caribbean countries become part of US East. The revised Regional Definitions will appear on the ISC Web Site and in the 2009 ISC World Championship Guide.

6. South American Player Rep – Due to the number of South American players, now participating in ISC and ISC II play, a South American Player Rep has been named to serve on the ISC Player Rep Committee. Juan Potolicchio has been named to this new position and can be reached at juanpotol@hotmail.com

7. Out of Region Form Discontinued – The Out of Region – Player Letter of Intent Form will be eliminated beginning in 2009. The new process involves having the Out of Region player, send an email commitment to the ISC Executive Director iscken@comcast.net no later than May 1. The team manager is to be copied on the email. On or before May 1, the team manager completes the Out of Region Team Recap Form and mails it to the ISC Executive Director with the appropriate fee. The Team Recap form is displayed on the ISC Web Site (Rules & Forms link).

Sample email commitment from player is simply: “I intend to play the 2009 ISC season with (team name). My home region is (insert region of residence)”. Most player email addresses contain the players name so few if any problems are expected with this new, simplified process.

8. Roster Forms – Beginning in 2009, there are roster forms for both World Tournament and ISC II teams. The difference between the two are the list of email addresses the rosters are to be sent to. Those email addresses appear on the roster forms themselves. Both roster forms are available for downloading from the ISC web site (Rules and Forms). If you’re unable to download, email iscken@comcast.net and request the proper roster and we will email attach it to you. Preliminary rosters for both World Tournament (PRAWN declaration) and ISC II are due by May 1. Rosters can be changed during the season on July 15 and again on August 10.

9. Courtesy Runner Rule – While the ISC generally adopts ASA playing rules, we do have some differences. For 2009, the ISC is rejecting ASA’s new rule that allows courtesy runners for both pitchers and catchers. The ISC rule is: Courtesy runners are not allowed in ISC play.

ISC II Eligibility Updates

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

The ISC has updated the ISC II Eligibility Page on the ISC website here.

Also, the ISC II Ineligible Pitchers List has been updated – click here for the list.

ISC II Changes for 2009

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

At the recent ISC Board of Directors meeting in Kimberly, the following changes were approved for implementation in 2009. They appear below in no particular order of importance.

1. ISC II Player Reclassification Request Deadline – Appeals to have current World Tournament players reclassified for ISC II eligibility, must be submitted no later than June 1. See new process for requesting reclassification below.

2. Reclassification and Appeal Form Created – A new form and process for reclassifications and appeals has been created and is now displayed on the ISC Web Site www.iscfastpitch.com Click on Rules & Forms link in the left margin of front page.

A. The initial team request or appeal must be sent to the Regional Vice President.
Decision to be made within 5-business days.

B. Player reclassification requests from teams, denied at the Regional level, may be appealed to the ISC II Reclassification Committee jrwilliamson@foodfacility.com and blairjs@rogers.com and a decision will be made within 5-business days.

C. Player reclassification requests denied by the ISC II Reclassification Committee and all other appeals denied at the Regional level, may be appealed to the ISC Executive Committee by submitting the appeal form and a non-refundable $100 credit card fee and sending it to the ISC Executive
Director. Decision to be made within 5-business days.

D. Appeal decisions made by the ISC Executive Committee are final.

4. ISC II Move-up Berths – Beginning with 2009 ISC II Tournament of Champions, the top two finishing teams will be provided automatic berths in the following year’s ISC World Tournament (2010), and will not be eligible for ISC II qualifiers or the Tournament of Champions in that following year.

5. Mexico and Caribbean Return to US Regions – For 2009 ISC play, residents of Mexico and Caribbean countries will be attached to US Regions as they were in the 2007 season. Mexico is divided between US West and US Central while all Caribbean countries become part of US East. The revised Regional Definitions will appear on the ISC Web Site and in the 2009 ISC World Championship Guide.

6. South American Player Rep – Due to the number of South American players, now participating in ISC and ISC II play, a South American Player Rep will be named to serve on the ISC Player Rep Committee.

7. Out of Region Form Discontinued – The Out of Region – Player Letter of Intent Form will be eliminated beginning in 2009. The new process involves having the Out of Region player, send an email commitment to the ISC Executive Director no later than May 1. The team manager is to be copied on the email. On or before May 1, the team manager completes the Out of Region Team Recap Form and mails it to the ISC Executive Director with the appropriate fee. The Team Recap form will be displayed on the ISC Web Site (Rules & Forms link).

Sample email commitment from player is simply: “I intend to play the 2009 ISC season with (team name)”. Most player email addresses contain the players name so few if any problems are expected with this new, simplified process.

Ken Hackmeister
Executive Director
iscken@comcast.net

Welcome

Certified Bat List for ISC & ISC II Play

Friday, January 18th, 2008

Because of the number of International teams competing in the ISC World Tournament the ISC will continue to use the certified bat list provided by the International Softball Federation (ISF). This list can be viewed on the ISF web site, http://www.internationalsoftball.com/. Click on Rules and Standards and then on certified bats.

The ISF have determined and published notice that August 31, 2008 will mark the end of the period during which bats that complied with the previous ISF Bat Performance Factor (BPF 1.20) shall be permitted to be used in ISF play and the new BBS (Batted Ball Speed) will be the only standard that is official. This test is similar to the test being used by the ASA. The one difference is in the speed of the ball. There is also a difference between the ISF and ASA in how bats get on their respective lists. The ASA does the testing of bats for their list. (http://www.asasoftball.com/about/certified_equipment.asp)

The ISF requires manufacturers who wish to have their bat listed to supply test result that show that their bats meet the standards set.

The ASA has a banned bat list. The ISF has a certified bat list.

We mention this now so anyone considering a new bat purchase for the 2008 season may want to check their choice with the ASA and the ISF lists first to eliminate the possibility of a bat purchased for 2008 may be non-approved for 2009. This includes all ISC and ISC II play.

Softball Canada uses the ASA banned bat list.

As a related reminder, by book rule, any player found to be using an altered bat will be ejected from the game and the balance of the tournament.

Bruce Bierman
ISC Umpire-in-Chief

ISC Changes that will impact ISC II

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007

ISC Changes For 2008
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
There are several significant changes for 2008 that were approved by the ISC Board of Directors in Kitchener and were announced yesterday by ISC Executive Director Ken Hackmeister. Below are the ones that impact ISC II.

For a full list of the changes, click here.

Mexico and Caribbean Now Part of International Region – Effective with the 2008 season, all of Mexico and the Caribbean will be considered part of the International Region. Previously, Mexico was included in both US West and US Central regions and the Caribbean was part of US East region. This means any players living in Mexico or the Caribbean will be considered Out Of Region for US and Canadian based teams.

Mike Cutro New US East Regional Commissioner – Mike Cutro, sponsor and manager of the CPI team of Oswego, NY has been named a US East Regional Commissioner. Mike brings a passion and knowledge of the game including familiarity with the ISC II caliber teams in NY state and New England.

Team Entry Fees $350 for World Tournament and ISC II ToC – Beginning in 2008, all team entry fees are standardized at $350 for both World Tournament and ISC II teams.

Catcher Courtesy Runner Rule Eliminated – The prior rule allowing for a 2-out courtesy runner for the catcher, has been eliminated.

US West Region Changes – El Paso, Hudspeth, Culbertson, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties in west Texas are now part of US West region.

ToC will be 4 days in 2008. – Due to requests from the host committees, the 2008 ISC World Tournament will be a 7-day tournament, from Sunday thru Saturday. Likewise, the ISC II Tournament of Champions will be a 4-day tournament with the precise dates to be determined soon.

Ken Hackmeister
Executive Director
www.iscfastpitch.com
iscken(at)comcast.net

May 1 deadline for Canada East qualifier entries, OOR registration and preseason rosters

Monday, April 23rd, 2007

May 1 is an extremely important date in the fastball world this year.

It is the deadline for entry into the ISC & ISC II qualifiers in Canada East, the deadline for registering out-of-region players and the deadline for submitting preseason rosters.

Canada East ISC & ISC II Qualifiers:
Both of these ISC II qualifiers are now starting to fill up. Entries will be taken on a first-in basis in the event that the tournaments have to be capped.

Date: June 22-24 – Innerkip, Ontario
Berths: World Tournament and ISC II ToC for 2007
Double elimination
In region teams only
Canada East VP – Blair Setford 905-826-297 blairjs(at)rogers.com
Tournament Director – Joe Todd ftode739(at)rogers.com
Local Contact – Howie Brown 519-421-6334

Date: June 22-24 – Sydenham, Ontario
Berths: ISC II ToC for 2007
Double elimination
In region teams only
Canada East VP – Blair Setford 905-826-297 blairjs(at)rogers.com
Tournament Director – Colin Smith 905-790-8226 colinsmith(at)look.ca
Local Contact – Adam Lake 613-484-1313 paullake(at)kingston.net

Entry fee for qualifiers is $325.
Cheques should be made payable to: ISC Canada East.
Mail to:
Blair Setford
ISC Canada East Vice President
2927 Nipiwin Drive
Mississauga, Ontario L5N 1Y1
Entry deadline is May 1, 2007

Out-of-Region Players
Please note that if you are signing out-of-region players, or are a player that is signing out-of-region, the deadline for the paperwork and fee to be submitted to the ISC is also May 1. The OOR form can be found on the ISC website here: http://www.iscfastpitch.com/uploads/File/2006_OOR_Form.xls
Completed forms and fees should be sent to:
Ken Hackmeister
ISC Executive Director
153 E. 200 S. #10
Farmington, UT 84025

Preseason Rosters
Lastly, May 1 is also the deadline to submit preseason rosters. These rosters are non-binding and can be changed during the year. The roster form can be downloaded here: http://www.iscfastpitch.com/uploads/File/Team_Reg_roster_2007.xls
Completed ISC II roster forms should be emailed as attachments to ISC II Statisticians Hank DeWild at hdewild@milwpc.com and Tony Schaaf at tschaaf@kimberly.k12.wi.us.
ISC roster forms can be emailed to Gary Baughman at ISCSTAT@hotmail.com

If you have any questions about any of the above, please contact:

Blair Setford
ISC Canada East VP
1.888.860.9888 x2285 (office)
905.826.2697 (home)
blairjs(at)rogers.com

Roster & OOR Reminder

Saturday, March 17th, 2007

From ISC Executive Director Ken Hackmeister

Preliminary Rosters & Out of Region Filing Reminder

Friday, March 16, 2007

The May 1 deadline for ISC teams to file preliminary rosters and Out of Region forms, is rapidly approaching.

This is a reminder of the upcoming deadline.

Preliminary Rosters – Preliminary rosters for both World Tournament and ISC II teams are also due May 1. The roster form is found on the ISC Web Site www.iscfastpitch.com Click on Rules and Forms in the left margin. Preliminary rosters are to be submitted to the proper statisticians whose email addresses appear on the roster form itself. Review saving and filing process covered in PRAWN filings above.

Letter of Intent – Out of Region (OOR) Form – The 2007 season begins the new Out of Region concept, replacing the former Out of Area plan. The newly revised Out of Region form is also displayed on the ISC web site in the Rules and Forms page. To save teams and players time and to avoid 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation faxes, we will accept an OOR form without the players signature, provided the player sends an email to iscken@comcast.net, stating their intention to play for XYZ team in 2007. That email must arrive no later than May 1 and the team manager can mail the actual OOR form.

The operation is the same as the former Out of Area program. The forms and fee must be postmarked to the ISC Executive Director no later than May 1. The first three OOR players per team are subject to a $100 fee each. The fourth and subsequent OOR players per team are subject to a $300 fee each.

Out of Region rules apply to both ISC World Tournament and ISC II teams.

If anyone has difficulty downloading or printing these forms from the web site, please email iscken@comcast.net and a form or forms will be sent back to you as an email attachment.

Ken
iscken@comcast.net
(Ken Hackmeister )
www.iscfastpitch.com

ISC II Special Operating Rules for 2006

Friday, May 12th, 2006

ISC II Special Operating Rules for 2006

The International Softball Congress is announcing special operating rules for the 2006 season for the ISC II division regarding the pickup of pitchers from the Eastern Canada area.

For the 2006 season, following the completion of the Eastern Canada qualifiers on June 18, teams from outside the Eastern Canada area may sign one (1) pitcher from the Eastern Canada area provided that they remain in compliance with the ISC II out-of-area rules which limit teams to a total of three (3) OOA players, only two (2) of whom can be pitchers. The signing deadline is July 14, 2006. Fees and completed forms must be mailed to ISC Executive Director Ken Hackmeister as of that date.

Qualified or invited teams from within the Eastern Canada area may only pick up (1) pitcher from among their three (3) available pickups. Any qualified or invited teams from within the Eastern Canada area that have a pitcher on the list below cannot pick up any other pitcher from that list, but can pick up any other eligible pitcher. Qualified and invited teams from within the Eastern Canada area that don’t have a pitcher on this restricted list may pick up one pitcher from the list if they choose to.

1. Ben Blonde
2. Doug Charlton
3. Steve Cook
4. Corey Costello
5. Byron Demoe

6. Dan Duemo
7. Rob Fawcett
8. Fred Follings
9. Ryan French
10. Casey Halstead

11. Steve Ketchell
12. Dan Konkle
13. Chris McColl
14. Tim Neill
15. Jim Schnarr

16. Gord Scott
17. Scott Smith
18. Todd Uhrig
19. Todd Winkworth
20. Shaun Winship

“These special operating rules were developed in consultation with several Canada East teams who have many years of combined ISC II participation both at the area level and at the international level,” said ISC II Vice-President Bob McGowan.

OOA player registration must follow these procedures:

1. A completed and signed copy of the ISC Letter of Intent to Play OOA (available here) must be mailed to Ken Hackmeister with a postmark no later than July 14, 2006 and must include the $100 US fee.

2. Teams must notify ISC II VP Bob McGowan (jbob99(at)allstream.net) and ISC II Commissioner Blair Setford (blairjs(at)rogers.com) of any OOA signing by July 14.

3. Final rosters for all ToC teams are due at registration on Saturday August 12, 2006 in Kitchener. All OOA players and pick-ups must be highlighted.

These special operating will give some pitchers in the Eastern Canada area that haven’t had the opportunity to compete in the ISC II Tournament of Champions the chance to get picked up for the ToC and will potentially enable some of the teams from outside the Eastern Canada area to better compete at the ToC.

If there are any questions about this or additional clarification is needed, please email ISC II VP Bob McGowan at jbob99(at)allstream.net.

Click here for a chart format of the rules.

May 12, 2006

Gordon Wise –
ISC Information Officer
sgwise(at)woh.rr.com
www.iscfastpitch.com

ISC Reminds Teams About OOA Deadlines

Wednesday, February 1st, 2006

The International Softball Congress is reminding all teams of the upcoming May 1 deadline for submitting Out of Area forms (Letter of Intent) and fees which MUST by postmarked to the ISC not later than May 1.

The Out of Area rules, forms, area definitions and team recap form are all available on the ISC website on the Rules & Forms page.

Any player who resides outside the area boundaries of the area in which his team is based must submit the proper Out of Area form and fee. The rule applies to all teams planning to play ISC competition in 2006. ISC competition includes official ISC Travel Leagues as well as qualifying Area Tournaments and includes both the ISC World Tournament and the ISC II Tournament of Champions.