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ROSTERS

All players must be over the age of 18. Only rostered players will be eligible to play (unless you are short players during the regular season). Only players who sign a player waiver form are considered rostered. Player waiver forms must be filled out online prior to the 1st game of the season. Players may not be rostered on two teams in the same Division

NUMBER OF PLAYERS 5 v 5 Games – The total number of players on the field at once includes: 4 field players and a goalkeeper. For coed 2 of the players must be female. The minimum number of rostered players required to start a game is 4 ( of which 1 player is a female). A game is terminated once it has started if a team has fewer than 4 players due to injury or penalties. If you have only 1 female show up you must play short. A male cannot take the place of the missing female to field 5 players.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS 7 v 7 Games – The total number of players on the field at once includes: 6 field players and a goalkeeper. For coed 2 of the players must be female. The minimum number of rostered players required to start a game is 4 (3 field players and a goalie of which 1 player is a female). A game is terminated once it has started if a team has fewer than 5 players due to injury or penalties. If you have only 1 female show up you must play short. A male cannot take the place of the missing female to field 7 players.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS 11 v 11 Games – The total number of players on the field at once includes: 10 field players and a goalkeeper. For coed 3 of the players must be female. The minimum number of rostered players required to start a game is 7 (6 field players and a goalie of which 1 player is a female). A game is terminated once it has started if a team has fewer than 8 players due to injury or penalties. If you have only 1 female show up you must play short. A male cannot take the place of the missing female to field 11 players.

Guest Players

Guest players will be allowed during the regular season only. Guest players are only eligible to play if your team would otherwise be playing shorthanded. There will be NO guest players for the playoffs. Only rostered team members are eligible to play in the playoffs.

EQUIPMENT

Players’ Equipment

• Players MUST wear fully covered ADULT shin pads
• Players must wear their Team-colored shirts
• Outdoor cleats are allowed.
• A player may not wear anything that is dangerous to others or themselves. Including but NOT LIMITED to jewelry (bracelets, earrings, and/or chains), electronics (fit bits, and/or watches), casts, hats. The Referee’s decisions are final.

GAME TIME 

Duration

• (2) 24-minute “RUNNING TIME” halves, 11v11 leagues play two (2) 25-minute halves. The clock will stop only if, in the opinion of the referee, moving an injured player while waiting for medical attention would be hazardous to the injured player. Get the injured player off the field as quickly and safely as possible, as the clock is ticking. No more than 3 minutes for half time.
• The referee will start the clock after a grace period of 5 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, if a team does not have the minimum number of players to start, that team will forfeit the game. If the game is to be played, the clock will continue to run

PLAYOFFS 

Tie Breakers

• 5 minute golden goal period.
• Penalty Kicks will be a round of 5 players in the first set game and if it is a coed game must have at least 2 females shooting. If there is still a tie after the 5 kicks, there will be a one on one situation until the tie is broken. Any player on the team can take the kicks. They do not have to be on the court at the end of the game. Each team member must shoot once before a player can shoot again

PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY / POSTSEASON ROSTER PROTEST

• Only those players listed under your team’s roster are eligible to participate in the postseason.
• Players can only be added to a team’s roster after the season has started by permission/clearance from a Hub Sports management staff member
• A player must have played in at least (3) regular-season games to be eligible for the postseason (the take-away here is “don’t bring in ‘ringers’ to a playoff/championship game”)

POSTSEASON ROSTER PROTEST (i.e. challenging a team’s roster during the playoffs)

• The opposing captain may challenge a playoff roster by notifying the official at the field
• The official will then stop the game and call the HUB office with the name of the challenged player
• If the challenged player is found not to be on the team roster the player will be removed from the game
• If the removed player causes a team to have too few players to field a team the game will be forfeited and the team that challenged will be awarded the victory
• A roster challenge must occur at the beginning of the game.
• Roster challenges occurring after the game is over will not be heard

START OF PLAY

Kickoff

• Kickoff MAY be played in any direction.
• Only the player executing the kick MAY stand in the opponent’s half, within a playable distance of the ball.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.

BALL OUT OF PLAY

Throw-in

• A throw-in is awarded when the whole ball leaves the field over the touchlines.
• Opposing players must be at least 5 yards from the ball
• Players taking the throw-in cannot step into the field before the ball is in play.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

Fouls and Misconduct Fouls

• Sliding is NOT allowed, the Referee has the ultimate say as to what constitutes sliding.
• An opposing player may not be closer than 15 feet on ANY restart.
• Referees may issue temporary dismissals depending on the severity of the actions:
  Blue Dismissal – Player temporarily leaves the field of play for two (2) minutes, does NOT return and it is NOT replaced until after time expires OR after the opponents score a goal, whichever comes first. At that point, the player may re-enter the field.
  Yellow Dismissal – Player temporarily leaves the field of play for four (4) minutes, does NOT return and it is NOT replaced until AFTER time expires, independent of the opponent’s scoring. At that point, the player may re-enter the field.
  Red Dismissal – Player PERMANENTLY leaves the FACILITY, does NOT return, and is NOT REPLACED for six (6) minutes, independent of the opponent’s scoring. Play does not resume until the player LEAVES THE FACILITY.
• NO BICYCLE KICKS!! – too dangerous for everyone around you, and the ground is concrete under the turf. Do not do it.

OFFSIDES 

• There is no offside Except in full-field 11 v 11 games.

DOUBLE TOUCH

• The player taking the free-kick cannot be the first person to touch the ball after the ball has been kicked. Another player must touch the ball before the player can kick the ball again.

DIRECT FREE KICKS

Governed by FIFA Laws of the Game with the following additions. The ball must be kicked and move from the spot of the infraction.

Players may not:

• Strike
• Kick
• Trip
• Push
• Jump
• Tackle –includes slide tackling–
• Handling
• Holding

INDIRECT FREE KICKS

Governed by FIFA Laws of the Game with the following additions. The ball must be kicked and move from the spot of the infraction. It needs to be touched by another player. No double touch is allowed.

Any indirect kick taken by the attacking team for a foul inside the penalty area, the ball will be placed at the top of the penalty area in the center.

• Slide  Note: Sliding of any kind from players or goalkeepers outside the penalty area is not allowed.. Goalkeepers may slide tackle as long as they are doing so within their penalty area and not in a dangerous manner.
• Impeding the offensive player with the ball.
• Playing the ball in a dangerous manner (NO Bicycle Kicks) or lying on the ground deliberately while playing the ball.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Substitutions

• GK substitutions ONLY when the ball is not in play (any stoppage).
• Player substitutions allowed at any time the ball is in play (“on the fly”)
• A substitute MAY enter the field of play BEFORE a player leaves the field if:
  It is within a playable distance of their bench area, and
  the substitute entering nor the player leaving plays the ball nor interferes with active play.

GOAL KICKS/KEEPER THROWS

Goal Keeper restrictions

• On a GK throw, the ball MUST touch the ground or a player BEFORE going over the halfway line.
• A Goal Kick executed by the GK MUST touch the ground or a player BEFORE going over the halfway line.
• A Goal Kick executed by any player EXCEPT the GK may go over the halfway line.
• A goal cannot be scored directly onto the opponent’s goal from a Goal Kick or from a Goal Keeper’s throw

FORFEITS

All teams are required to notify the league if they are unable to field a team as far in advance as possible. No later than 2 pm the day of a WEEKNIGHT game. No later than Friday by 5 pm for a SUNDAY game. If you need to forfeit your game you must email the league at forfeits@hubsportsboston.com – use this email ONLY.  In addition, you can call 617 8630 9300 EXT 3. However, if you call this number you must actually speak to a HUB staffer and not leave a message.

If a team contacts the office after the set deadlines the game will be forfeited and the forfeiting team will be required to pay both teams referee fees. If a team fails to show up for a game without contacting the league office the game will be forfeited and the forfeiting team will be required to pay both teams referee fees and a $50 penalty. If a team shows up with fewer than 4 players and cannot field a team the game will be forfeited and the forfeiting team will be required to pay both teams referee fees. A 3rd forfeit and the team will be removed from the league.

Player Waiver & Release Form

Every player must compete the Player Registration prior to the first scheduled game of the season. Any team that has not submitted all of their player waivers by that time will have its scheduled games declared a forfeit until all registrations are received. If a player fails to submit their online player registration, all liability and legal issues will be the responsibility of the team captain. HUB Sports Boston will not be responsible for players that do not submit a player registration.

Players may be listed only on one teams roster per season throughout the league. For a player to be considered playoff eligible (eligible to participate in the playoffs), he/she must be listed on a teams roster and must have played in a minimum of two regular season games for that particular team.

LEAGUE RULES

Game Play

Field of Play – The following dimensions will be in effect. Bases will be marked off at 60′ (whenever possible) and the mound will be marked off at 45′. Directions to The HUB fields are located on the league website in the Locations drop down menu.

Equipment

HUB Sports will provide field equipment. This will consist of a 10-inch playground ball and bases. Players on a team must wear same colored t-shirts during all games, chosen before the season begins.

Officials

Games will be officiated by 1 (one) referee. The home plate referee issues all final rulings. Only a team captain or co-captain may dispute a call with the referee. The referee has jurisdiction over the play and may penalize a player, including game ejection, for un-sportsman like conduct. Ejected players may not return to the game and if necessary may be asked to leave the premises.

Participants

All players must be 21 years of age or older. Players may only play on a team on which they are registered. Exception: You may function as a substitute player for another team if they are short a man or woman. This is ONLY valid during the regular season.

Team Rosters

Team rosters are unlimited. A team may not play more than 10 players at a time in the field. Each team is required to have at least 3 females in the field in each inning.

Every player present is required to be in the kicking line up.  If a team does not have the required minimum number of female players in the fielding lineup, then the team must forfeit.

If a team is short players, they MUST have a catcher & pitcher and then play short in the field.

If a team only has 8 fielders, the opponent will supply a non-defensive catcher. A team must supply their own catcher if they have 9 or more players.

If a team cannot field at least 6 players (Minimum of 2 Females), they automatically forfeit.

Regulation Game

Games will be 7 innings or 45 minutes, whichever comes first and depending on the season and sunset times. If there is a tie after 7 innings, extra innings can be played if the 45 minute time limit has not expired. Games that have reached the time limit are tied in score will be scored as a Tie Game.

If game cannot be finished for any reason: 4 completed innings is a legal game (3 1/2 if home team is ahead). Game length is 7 innings or 45-minutes -time and weather permitting. Ties will stand if game is called, due to weather. If inning cannot be completed due to darkness or weather, score reverts back to last completed inning (unless game is in bottom of inning and home team is now ahead), and a winner is declared (unless 3 innings have not been played). During Playoffs, games must be completed, if stopped due to weather or darkness it will be continued at point of interruption with same lineups. 

Pitching

The ball must be pitched from the pitching rubber.  The ball must be rolled smoothly on the ground, no bouncing. The pitcher has to stay behind the pitching strip until the ball is kicked  NO WALKS – even though there will be balls and strikes there are no walks. Ball must be pitched correctly! The catcher cannot cross home plate until after the ball is kicked. Three foul kicks is an out.

Catching

The catcher must start behind the kicker until the ball is kicked. The catcher shall not interfere with the kicker in any way. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball.

Batting

All kicks must be made by the foot. Any lower leg contact while attempting to kick the ball will be considered a kick regardless of where it strikes the leg or foot.

All kicks must occur at or behind home plate. Both feet must be on or behind home plate at the time the ball is kicked. If one or more feet are in front of home plate at the time the ball is kicked, it is a foul and the kick is called back (if such a kick is caught on the fly, it is an out). A kick must remain within bounds until it crosses past first or third base.

Bunting is not allowed. A bunt is defined as a kick that does not travel past the 20 foot line/markers and remain in fair territory. Any kick that does not travel past the 20 foot line/markers will result in a foul.

Kicking Order

Kicking order.  There must be at least 3 females in the batting order.  A team may not bat more than two males between each female except at the end of the lineup when the lineup is turning over.

Ghost out.  If a team has less than the minimum number of female batters a ghost out will be assessed every time that female spot comes up in the order.

Players arriving late.  A player arriving after the batting order has turned over must be placed at the bottom of the order. Unless the late arriving player is a missing women and then she is placed in the female spot in the order. Late arriving players must be announced to the umpire and the opposing team.

Players leaving early.  A male player who cannot bat (injury, or has left the premises) in their designated spot is not penalized. That spot in the order is simply skipped. If a female player leaves early, her spot in the order is considered a Ghost out. Players who have been ejected from the game will be considered an out in the batting order. A forfeit will be declared if a team is left with less than 7 players.

Outs  

A runner touched by a ball any time while not on base  Any kicked ball that is caught (fair or foul – before touching the ground)  Three foul kicks is an out. A ball in possession of the fielder on the a base to which a runner is forced to run  A runner off their base when the ball is kicked (no leading) 

Running

• Runners must stay within the base line. Fielders must stay out of the base line unless they are attempting to tag a runner out or catch the ball. Fielders trying to make an out on base may have their foot on base, but must lean out of the base line. First base will have two bases side by side (similar to softball), one for the fielder and one for the runner which should eliminate collisions and injuries. Runners unfairly hindered by any fielder within the base line shall be safe at the base to which they were running.
• Neither leading off base, nor stealing a base is allowed. A runner may only move off his/her base after the ball has been kicked and you cant pass the runner in front of you. These are outs.
• Hitting a runner with the ball above shoulder level is not allowed. Any runner hit above the shoulders (neck or head) is safe and advances one base. Exceptions: If the runner intentionally uses his head to block the ball. The runner is out. If the runner is ducking, diving or sliding (i.e. attempts to dodge the ball) and is hit in the head or neck because of this, he/she is out.
• If a kicked ball is caught on the fly, runners must tag their originating base (on or after the moment the ball is first touched by a fielder) before running to the next base. There is no infield fly rule.
• Only one base on an overthrow is allowed to the runner. If there is an overthrow at second base, then this rule does not apply because the ball is still in play. The one base is not automatic and the runner must take the risk of being made out. The one base is only available before the play ends.
• No sliding or diving into bases

Fouls

A foul is defined as:

• a kick landing out of bounds. The foul is determined by where the ball lands not how it travels to get there. Remember that if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out
• a kick landing inbounds, but traveling out of bounds on its own before reaching first or third base. (Any ball touched by an in-bounds fielder is automatically in play)
• a ball that is tipped while being kicked but continues to travel behind the kicker; but if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out
• a kicker touching (or kicking) the ball twice while on or behind home plate (i.e., in foul territory); but if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out
• Any foul that hits a tree or other outside object is a dead ball and not eligible to be caught for an out. The ball remains a foul.
• Three fouls is an out

Sportsmanship

Players should have no intentional or unwelcome physical contact with opposing players. Doing so will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and it will be at the discretion of the referee to issue warnings or eject offending players. A player must make the referee aware if he or she feels any contact was unwarranted.

The team captain shall ensure that their players behave themselves.

Consumption of alcohol on the fields is strictly prohibited.

Playoff eligibility –  All teams are required to sign the HUB Sports player waiver. This will act as your public team roster. Only players on this roster who have played in at least 3 of their team’s games are eligible to play in the playoffs. Teams are not allowed to use fill in players during the playoffs. If a team is found using a player not on the team’s public website the following penalties are enforced: If the illegal (Fill-in) player is identified prior to the illegal player’s at bat the player is removed from the field with no further penalty. If the illegal player is identified after the player’s at bat the player is removed from the line-up, a ghost out is recorded in their spot and the team will receive a 2 run penalty. If removing illegal players from a lineup results in a team having 6 or less rostered players and/or no female rostered players than the infringing team must forfeit.

Qualifying Teams – Teams with 2 or more forfeits are not eligible to make the playoffs. Top teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs. The number of qualify in teams depends on the size of the division. Usually between 50 and 65% of teams qualify for the playoffs. Once the final number of teams in the division has been determined an announcement will be made as to how many teams will qualify in that division

Tie-breakers  – The following tie-breakers will be used to determine playoff eligibility and seeding: In the case of two teams ending the season with identical records the first tiebreaker is head to head record, followed by overall runs against, followed by overall run differential. In the case of two teams ending the season with identical records but have not played each other the first tie-breaker is overall runs against, followed by overall run differential. Any team with a forfeit is automatically seeded lower.

If three or more teams end the season with identical records the first tiebreaker is head to head record among the tied teams, followed by overall runs against, followed by overall run differential. Any team with a forfeit is automatically seeded lower.

Tie breakers are not always calculated automatically by your website and may require a HUB official to manually override the final displayed standings. You will receive an email with the final standings and playoff seeding if necessary.

Substitutes – Teams may not use substitute players in the playoffs. Teams risk having their playoffs forfeited if they use substitute players.

GAME DAY ISSUES

No Umpire – Occasionally events occur outside of our control and we make every attempt to respond quickly and effectively to outside disruptions. If an umpire has not arrived by game time, please call the league office and we will determine the cause of the umpire’s absence. Usually a replacement umpire can be sent to the field quickly. Teams should begin the game without an umpire until the umpire arrives.

No Lights – If you arrive at the field and no lights are on by game time please call the league office and we will attempt to get someone to the field to turn on the lights. In some cases, the lights are controlled by a 3rd party like the Boston Parks and Recreation Dept. and they are either on timers or turned on by an agent of the office. If we are unable to reach someone to turn on the lights, we will make an attempt to move your game to nearby field if it can be done with minimum disruption. If we are unable to either have the lights turned on or move your game, your game will be re-scheduled. If you have already paid the umpire, you will not be required to pay the umpire for your rescheduled game.

Field Occupied – If you arrive at the field and it is occupied by another group please call the league office and we will speak directly with the other party. Do not attempt to throw someone off the field as usually this can be resolved easily. If we are unable to resolve the issue either by moving the other party or moving our game to another field, we will reschedule your game. Rest assured that we have the permits for all the fields and times we use but sometimes town’s double book a field and fail to notify us or people utilize the field without the permit. If you have already paid the umpire, you will not be required to pay the umpire for your rescheduled game.

ALL RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.