Article 8 - Disqualifications

8.01 ACTS OF DISQUALIFICATION. – A manager/coach, player or team may be disqualified for any of the following:

A. Unsportsmanlike conduct. Any action or word that demeans the participants, denigrates play, or willfully violates the procedures or By-Laws of Minnesota Softball.

B. Physically assaulting an umpire, coach, player, league official or an official of Minnesota Softball or for violation of the rules of Minnesota Softball (This applies to any player, parent/legal guardian, manager, coach, sponsor, or anyone connected with the team, or any registered umpire. Bumping, pushing, shoving or verbal assault shall be considered physical violence in terms of enforcing this article.)

C. Any ejection from a game of a manager/coach, his/her players or his/her spectators during any Minnesota Softball sanctioned event will require a written explanation within 10 days from the manager/coach to the Commissioner.

1. Commissioner will review events resulting in the party’s ejection and determine if a hearing needs to be conducted as prescribed in Article 8.02 of these by-laws.

2. Second ejection shall require a hearing in accordance with Article 8.02 subject to disqualification.

D. Commission of fraud, playing under an assumed name, falsifying an affidavit or roster, or giving false information to tournament officials.

E. Participating in a youth tournament in which cash prizes are offered.

F. Receiving money or financial benefits in consideration of participating in youth softball competition.

G. Participating while not meeting the eligibility requirements of Minnesota Softball.

H. Knowingly competing with or against a player(s) that is disqualified from or ineligible to participate in Minnesota Softball.

I. (YOUTH ONLY) Receiving money (directly or indirectly) by capitalizing on athletic ability, athletic prominence, or fame in softball; such as allowing the use of the player’s name to advertise, recommend, or promote the sale of softball sporting goods, or by accepting compensation for using such goods.

J. Engaging in any act which results in the destruction of property belonging to others or is in Violation of State or Local Law, or is contrary to the purposes and objectives of Minnesota Softball, while participating in a Minnesota Softball activity.

K. Failure to produce valid identification upon request by a tournament official in Championship play.

L. Qualifying for and failing to advance to the next level of championship play, unless due to circumstances beyond the control of the team.

M. Failure to meet substance abuse standards.

N. Any manager, coach, or player failing to return equipment of pay any money owed to a team or league/association.

O. Any League/Association that is not in compliance with the Minnesota Softball By-Laws.

8.02 DISQUALIFICATION PROCEDURES.

A. The person(s) subject to suspension shall be entitled to a hearing before Minnesota Softball. The person must be notified in writing of the time, place and date of the hearing. He/She/They are entitled to an alternate date if, for good cause, the original date is not acceptable. Should the accused fail to attend the hearing, the chairman of the disqualification committee will take evidence from the parties present.

B. After hearing all of the evidence, the Minnesota Softball President or his/her appointee will go into Executive Session with the committee and issue a written decision which will be sent to the party accused of the infraction.

C. Under NO circumstances will any involved individual be permitted to participate in Minnesota Softball activities until he/she/they has completed the hearing process, or has completed his/her/their term of suspension, or has been formally reinstated by Minnesota Softball.

8.03 JURISDICTION. – A player, coach or team shall cease to be eligible to compete in all Minnesota Softball sanctioned activities while disqualified by Minnesota Softball. These activities include Camps, Clinics, Combines, Championship Tournaments, Invitational Tournaments, League Games, Exhibition Games, and All-Star Games.

8.04 PENALTIES. – A player, coach, or team will be disqualified for a period of time at the discretion of the Minnesota Softball Executive Committee for violations outlined in 8.01 of these by-laws, with the exception that the following acts of disqualification require a minimum of one-year loss of eligibility:

A. Physical violence.

B. Commission of fraud.

C. Issuing a bad check or stopping payment on a check.

D. Substance abuse.

E. Recruiting violation.

F. Failure by any manager, coach, or player to return equipment or pay money owed to a team or league/association.

G. Conduction an illegal tryout.