2007 Bylaws and Rules & Regulations

(revised and amended in Reno, Nevada – 2007)

Table of Contents

Article 1. Name……….. 3

Article 2. Objective……….. 3

Article 3. Territory……….. 3

Article 4. Membership……….. 3

Article 5. Delegates……….. 3

Article 6. Board of Directors and Executive Committee……….. 4

Article 7. Officers and Their Duties……….. 4

Commissioner……….. 4

Deputy Commissioner……….. 5

Secretary-Treasurer……….. 5

Recorder……….. 5

Article 8. Meetings of the Board of Directors……….. 6

Article 9. Duties and Powers of Executive Committee……….. 7

Article 10. Dues and Expenses……….. 7

Article 11. Committees……….. 9

Article 12. Host Tournament……….. 9

Bid for Future Tournaments……….. 9

Tournament Host Club or Team……….. 10

Penalty for Withdrawal as Sponsor of Tournament……….. 12

Article 13. Conditions of Competition……….. 12

Article 14. Conduct of the Players, Managers, Coaches and Fans……….. 12

Article 15. Eligibility Rules……….. 12

No Discriminations……….. 12

Team Eligibility Rules……….. 12

Player Eligibility Rules……….. 12

Article 16. Registration……….. 13

Emergency, Damage, Bounced Checks and Insurance……….. 14

Article 17. Regional Softball Tournaments……….. 15

Tournament Policies……….. 15

Method of Drawing……….. 15

Tournament Officials……….. 16

Tournament Game Rules……….. 16

Uniforms and Equipments……….. 17

Tournament Award Criteria……….. 17

Article 18. Hall of Fame……….. 18

Article 19. Parliamentary Authority……….. 20

Article 20. Alternate Beneficiary Surplus Funds……….. 21

Article 21. Amendments……….. 21

ARTICLE 1- NAME

Section 1.1 This organization shall be known as the Northwest Softball Association of the Deaf, Inc. (hereafter referred to as this association or NWSAD) which was incorporated by the State of Idaho on January 3, 2006. This is an organization under the jurisdiction of the Pre-NWAAD and the NWSAD.

Section 1.2 This Association shall be a non-profit organization under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service tax code. (Pending)

ARTICLE 2- OBJECTIVES

The objects of this association are:

Section 2.1 To foster and improve athletics throughout its territory in accordance with the standards and under rules prescribed under Rules and Regulations of the N.W.S.A.D. Article 3.

Section 2.2 To protect and promote the mutual interests of its member clubs and/or teams.

Section 2.3 To institute, regulate, and award the athletic championships of this association.

Section 2.4 To send the best team determined through a tournament provided by this association to represent this association in the National Tournament.

ARTICLE 3- TERRITORY

Section 3.1 This territory under the jurisdiction of this association shall be composed of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Northern California, Utah, the environs of Reno, Nevada and the environs of Canada within the Pacific Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time zones. The boundary line between Far West Softball Association of the deaf (FWSAD) and NWSAD in California shall be the east-west line which forms the common southern boundary of the four adjoining counties of Monterey, Kings, Tulare and Inyo. It shall be generally described as the county line, which lies approximately 14 miles south of the 36^th parallel of north latitude.

ARTICLE 4- MEMBERSHIP

Section 4.1 The membership of this association shall be limited to bona fide member clubs and/or teams.

Section 4.2 Enrollment in any regional and/or national association of any member clubs and/or team must be made prior to the June 15^th deadline only.

ARTICLE 5- DELEGATES

Section 5.1 The member club or team of this Association shall appoint one delegate each and alternate delegate to represent their member club and/or team at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors. The delegates must be members in good standing of such member club and/or team. No such representative shall represent more than one member club and/or team. The delegate and alternate delegate appointed cannot be a player, coach, or manager for another member club and/or team during the current NWSAD tournament.

Section 5.2 The appointment of every delegate and alternate delegate shall be in writing, duly certified by their member club or team, and sent to the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer of this association on or prior to June 15^th.

Section 5.3 All past NWAAD and NWSAD officers and the general chairperson(s) of the current softball tournament are entitled to be delegate-at-large at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 5.4 Transportation expenses incurred by the delegates attending the annual meeting of the Board of Directors may be paid by their respective member clubs or teams from which such delegates were appointed.

Section 5.5 Each member club or team shall select a liaison officer who shall work closely with his/her member club or team. He/She shall be listed in the directory so as to be able to attend all National, and Regional requirements at the earliest possible date.

ARTICLE 6- BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 6.1 The Board of Directors shall consists of four duly elected officers of this association as well as the delegates-at-large, the general chairperson(s) of the current NWSAD softball tournament and the delegate from each member club or team. The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of this association and each member shall have a voice and one vote.

Section 6.2 The Executive Committee of this association shall be composed of following officers: the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, the Secretary-Treasurer, and the Recorder.

Section 6.2.1 The Board of Directors shall elect a Commissioner and a Deputy Commissioner during the annual Board of Directors meeting. All such officers shall serve a term of two years commencing September 1st in the odd-year until his/her successor is chosen.

Section 6.2.2 The Board of Directors shall elect a Secretary-Treasurer and a Recorder during the annual Board of Directors meeting. All such officers shall serve a term of two years commencing September 1st in the even-year until his/her successor is chosen

Section 6.3 Executive Committee meeting shall be open to the public before the regularly scheduled delegate meeting at each NWSAD tournament site. Time and location shall be announced at the headquarters of the tournament. In the event of discussion that requires privacy and vote, the Executive Committee may call a recess of the meeting and may proceed into a private Executive Committee session.

ARTICLE 7- OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section 7.1 Any person who is a member in good standing of a member club and/or team shall be eligible to run for any office in the NWSAD.

Section 7.2 The NWSAD Commissioner shall be limited to two (2) terms in succession.

Section 7.3 The NWSAD Commissioner shall:

preside at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors;
control all business of the Executive Committee;
perform such other duties pertaining to the office of Commissioner;
make a status report of the national meetings and send same report to the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer and the Webmaster. The Webmaster will post it on the website;
coordinate the Round Robin drawing bracket

Section 7.4 The NWSAD Deputy Commissioner shall:

have power to perform the duties of the NWSAD Commissioner in absence or inability of the latter.
keep him/her up to date regarding the NWSAD By-Laws, rules, regulations, and host club or team guidelines.
act as the Chairperson of the Law Committee and the Finance Committee.
within 30 business days after the business meeting, provide updated bylaws to the NWSAD webmaster to update the bylaws on this association’s website.
shall implement a system of All-Star voting during softball tournament.

Section 7.5 The NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer shall:

be responsible for receiving all the money of this association;
pay all bills approved by the NWSAD Commissioner with the knowledge of the Executive Committee. Each check written must be supported by an approval-responded email as printed by the NWSAD Commissioner;
deposit all money to the credit of the Northwest Softball Association of the Deaf in an accredited bank of his/her city of residence agreed on by the Executive Committee
submit and turn over to the Finance Committee all monies, accounts, balance books, papers, vouchers, and records, including bank books, pertaining to his/her office and shall turn over the same to his/her successor when selected;
receive a compensation payable at end of his/her office term of five hundred dollars ($500.00);
send the status report from the NWSAD Commissioner to all member clubs or teams in this association.
shall verify all names and eligibility of the players before giving list to host tournament and NWSAD Recorder.

Section 7.6 The NWSAD Recorder shall:

serve as the Recorder of this association;
keep accurate records of names of eligible players including their playing records;
be responsible for All-Star ballots for a period of six months after it has been tabulated; the names of all First and Second Team All-Stars and Most Valuable Players; tournament sites; team statistics; the names of coaches, delegates, and the NWAAD / NWSAD Officers in all tournaments and meetings held by this association; provide all said information to the Hall of Fame Committee and the NWAAD / NWSAD Officers;
provide official scorebooks for the tournament games with the cost borne by NWSAD;
supervise all scorekeepers and be responsible for all scorebooks and statistics;
assist the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer during all meetings of this association;
provide a write-up of the results of the tournaments to the national organization’s Publicity Director to be printed in the national publications;
send permanent files of documents, recording scorebooks, meeting minutes, program books, and such other historical items of importance to an archived location agreed upon by this association/ the Executive Committee.
Provide all statistical information of the conclusion each tournament to webmaster of this association.

ARTICLE 8 MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 8.1 The annual meeting of the Board of Directors of this association shall be held in the tournament city during the progress of the annual tournament at such time as the NWSAD Commissioner designates.

Section 8.2 The NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer shall post a notice of the meeting; the minutes of last year’s meeting and an unaudited Treasurer’s report; signed registration forms, and tournament bracket to the website.

Section 8.3 The NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer shall send, within sixty (60) days after the annual tournament, the minutes of said meeting and the results of the tournament to the secretary of every NWSAD participatory member club and/or team.

Section 8.4 At the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, the order of business shall pertain only to the subject of softball. The following shall be the order of business:

1. Roll call

2. Appointment of parliamentarian

3. Report of the tournament host club chairperson

4. Report of the upcoming NWSAD tournament chairperson(s)

5. Report of future tournament chairperson(s)

6. Reading of minutes

7. Treasurer’s report

8. Report of the Executive Committee

9. Reports of committees

10. Unfinished business

11. New business

12. Selection of future annual NWSAD tournament city

13. Election of the officers

14. Announcement(s)

15. Adjournment

ARTICLE 9- DUTIES AND POWERS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall, in addition to the duties and powers prescribed elsewhere in these rules and regulations, have power to and be duty-bound to:

Section 9.1 Make decisions regarding new applications for membership from any bona fide club or team of the deaf that resides within the prescribed boundaries of this association. Such bona fide club or team must agree to live up to the rules and regulations of this association. Should said bona fide club or team of the deaf application be questionable, the Executive Committee shall present the application for discussion of action at its next tournament meeting.

Section 9.2 Return any registration forms, delegation authorization forms, or membership applications found to be lacking information, to the member clubs or teams for correction.

Section 9.3 Remove from office, by a three/fourth vote, any officer of the Executive Committee who, by neglect of duty or by conduct impairing his/her usefulness as an officer of such Committee, shall be deemed to have forfeited his/her position.

Section 9.4 Fill any vacancies in the Executive Committee occurring from any cause.

Section 9.4.1. In the event an office becomes vacant, the remaining Executive Committee members shall have the option of selecting a temporary officer or leave the vacant position open until the next Board of Directors meeting.

Section 9.5 Collect dues and funds of this association and expend same to the benefits of this association.

Section 9.6 Explain, define, and interpret any provision of the rules and regulation of this association upon request of a member club or team.

Section 9.7 Appoint an Advisory Board Committee of former NWAAD/ NWSAD officers when needed. Members of this committee may be removed and appointed at any time.

ARTICLE 10-DUES AND EXPENSES

Section 10.1 Every club and/or team shall pay to the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer, no later than June 15th, fifty dollars ($50.00) for the annual dues of the current year. A fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be levied against each member club and/or team which fails to meet the deadline of June 15^th.The fine shall be paid prior to the beginning of the tournament.

Section 10.2 NWSAD shall pay its’ representative thirty-five dollars ($35.00) per diem for his/her expenses in addition to his/her transportation expenses (the lowest applicable round-trip airfare) and four (4) nights lodging expenses at the headquarters’ single room rate to go to the appropriate softball national organization.

Section 10.3 The host club/chairperson sponsoring the annual NWSAD tournament shall pay, to the officers of this association, their transportation (equivalent to the lowest applicable round-trip airfare plus their ground transportation to and from the airport), a flat rate of thirty dollars ($30.00) per officer on a 50-50 basis with the NWSAD.

Section 10.4 The host club or team shall provide, at the annual NWSAD tournament headquarters hotel/motel, a suite for the NWSAD Commissioner, a room each for the NWSAD Deputy Commissioner, the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer, and the NWSAD Recorder without cost to the NWSAD officers or to this association from the beginning of the tournament to the end. Failure of the host club/team or chairperson to promptly pay the bill incurred shall result in the host club or team being suspended from all NWSAD activities for a period of no less than five (5) years.

Section 10.5 The host club or team shall also have the option of providing lodging for all NWSAD officers for the Wednesday night session upon agreement between the host club or team and NWSAD officers.

Section 10.6 The NWSAD shall pay a sum of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) to the host club of the NWSAD tournament for printing the NWSAD registration forms. The amount shall be paid to the host club at the conclusion of the NWSAD tournament. If the total amount exceeds the $100.00 limit, the balance shall be sole responsibility of the host club. The host club may keep the difference if the total amount is under the $100 limit.

Section 10.7 The host club shall pay the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer sixty (60) days prior to the annual NWSAD tournament, the cost as set by National Softball Association of the Deaf for one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) in liability insurance premiums.

Section 10.8 The NWSAD fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31 of each year.

The budgeted expenditures of the NWSAD shall not at any time exceed the budgeted income from January 1st to December 31^st.

Section 10.9 The budget as approved by the delegates shall not be subject to revision in any form at all.

Section 10.10 If any section of the budget runs short of funds allocated to it, there shall be no transfer of funds from one section to the other section short of funds. Each section of the budget shall adhere strictly to the amount of funds allocated to it. Any committee or officers overrunning its budget shall be responsible for making up the deficit.

ARTICLE 11- COMMITTEES

Section 11.1 The Finance Committee shall be composed of members of the Executive Committee and two members of the NWSAD club or team appointed by the NWSAD Comissioner; the NWSAD Deputy Commissioner shall be the Chairperson. The committee shall set up a budget, audit, and examine the accounts of the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer and make its report at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 11.2 The All-Star Committee, chaired by the NWSAD Deputy Commissioner, shall consist of the NWSAD Executive Committee; the coaches from each team are responsible for nominating their player(s) to NWSAD Deputy Commissioner for All Star Team/ Golden Gloves Award, MVP, and MOP immediately after their final game. Please look at Section 17.6 Tournament Awards Criteria. The NWSAD executive committee will look at the criteria and players’ statistic before approving coaches’ nominations. The chairperson shall vote only to break ties.

Section 11.3 The Law Committee shall be composed of members of the Executive Committee. The NWSAD Deputy Commissioner shall be its chairperson.

Section 11.4 Other committees as deemed necessary shall be appointed by the NWSAD Commissioner.

Article 12 HOST TOURNAMENT

Section 12.1 Selection for Future Tournaments

Section 12.1.1 Selection of the tournament city shall be decided at least two (2) years in advance by ballot at the annual tournament meeting of the NWSAD Board of Directors.

Section 12.1.2. Any member club and/or team that is selected to host any future NWSAD tournament shall have been a member of the NWSAD for at least two (2) years prior to the selection.

Section 12.1.3. Any member club or team, before submitting a proposal to bid for an annual NWSAD tournament at any annual tournament meeting, shall deposit a sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) with the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer. With the deposit, the delegate shall present a letter of consent from the member club’s president and secretary to authorize the proposal. The deposit shall be returned without interest to the member club or team if its proposal is rejected or not acted upon. If the member club or team’s bid is accepted, the deposit shall be placed in the NWSAD’s general fund and will not be refunded.

Section 12.1.4 If no proposal to bid has been made by any member club or team for the coming year, the NWSAD officers as the Executive Committee, is empowered to name any city as the site of tournament, to form committees from the member club or team located in the city, with the NWSAD officer(s) as the co-chairperson.

Section 12.1.5 To retain host club or team rights, the member club hosting a future NWSAD tournament, hereafter known as their assigned tournament, shall send their team to participate in the NWSAD tournament for three (3) consecutive years prior to hosting their assigned tournament. An automatic fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) shall be assessed to the assigned club if their team fails to appear and participate in the NWSAD tournament for three consecutive years prior to their assigned tournament. The $500.00 shall be split equally between the host club of the current tournament and the NWSAD. Should the assigned club not pay the $500.00 fine within sixty (60) days after the current tournament has been completed, they shall be penalized twenty-five ($25.00) per month until payment is rendered up to twelve (12) months before said club is to host their tournament or to all rights to host their assigned tournament will be forfeited. Should the assigned club fail to send a team for a second time during the three (3) consecutive year waiting period, they forfeit all rights to host their assigned tournament.

Section 12.1.6 In the event a host club withdraws prior to the tournament or forfeits all rights to host the tournament, the NWSAD Executive Committee shall have the authority to seek a substitute.

Section 12.2 Tournament Host Club or Team

Section 12.2.1 The Executive Committee shall review itemized ticket information including registration fees and individual ticket prices set by the host club at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual NWSAD tournament. No flyers with itemized prices may be distributed by the host club to any member club without first getting the approval from the Executive Committee. Once approved, the prices shall not be subject to change.

Section 12.2.2 The host club shall remit, to the NWSAD, a registration fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for each combination ticket sold. The fee shall be included in the price of such tickets. Ten dollars ($10.00) registration fee shall apply to all ticket holders (NWSAD officers, NWAAD/ NWSAD Hall of Fame member, and including complimentary combination ticket holders) attending the annual NWSAD tournament. Three dollars ($3.00) of the $10.00 goes to the Men’s Championship Fund and three dollars ($3.00) of the $10.00 goes to the Women’s Championship Fund. The total amount earned from the tournament for the Championship Funds are to help defray the champions’ expenses to the national tournament. Four dollars ($4.00) shall go to the NWSAD General Fund.

Section 12.2.3 The host club has the deadline of April 1^st to furnish a satisfactory report as to the date and site of the upcoming annual NWSAD Tournament, the name and address of the Chairperson, and the headquarters. If the host club fails to report by the deadline, an automatic fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be posted. Upon paying such fine, the deadline shall be extended to May 1st to allow the host club to file a report. If the report and fine are not received by May 1st, the Executive Committee is empowered to name the site of the Tournament and to form a committee from the member club located in said city, with the Executive Committee as the chairperson.

Section 12.2.4 The host club shall post a performance bond of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) along with the host report on April 1st as a guarantee of compliance with agreed-upon plans. The entire sum of the bond shall be returned intact to the host upon completion of the terms of guidelines when the official financial report is submitted.

Section 12.2.5 The chairperson of the tournament committee shall make a complete report of the plans for such a tournament to the Executive Committee.

Section 12.2.6 Team members up to 20 players including managers and coaches per team shall be admitted free to all tournament games and social events (awards and dance) except for the banquet.

Section 12.2.7 The host club shall submit an itemized financial report of the tournament to the NWSAD Executive Committee within ninety (90) days after the conclusion of the annual NWSAD tournament. If such deadline is passed, the host club shall be fined fifty dollars ($50.00) per month until the final financial report is submitted to the NWSAD Executive Committee.

Section 12.2.8 The host club and/or team is responsible to provide any and all awards. (see Article 17 Section 7 Tournament Awards).

Section 12.2.9 The host club and/or team shall engrave properly on the trophies or plaques the following:

1. Number and name of annual tournament

2. The year

3. The name of the host club

4. Type of award

5. Name of Donor

Section 12.2.10 The host club shall provide an official scorekeeper(s), to keep score during the annual NWSAD tournament. The host club shall be responsible for compensating the scorekeeper(s) for their time. The official scorekeeper(s) must first be approved at the annual Board of Directors meeting.

Section 12.2.11 Should the host club fail to appoint an official scorekeeper(s), the NWSAD Recorder shall present a list of names to the Board of Directors to approve. The host club will then have to pay each official scorekeeper(s) ten dollars ($10.00) per game.

Section 12.2.12 The host club shall impose no additional fees upon participating teams, including players, coaches, and managers, once the host club is awarded the tournament bid. The host club shall be responsible for any fees incurred after being awarded host rights, such as charges incurred from local sanctions, local insurance, or national sanctions other than required by the NWSAD/ NSAD.

Section 12.3 Penalty for Withdrawal as Sponsor of Tournament

Section 12.3.1 Any NWSAD host club which has been awarded the privilege of sponsoring a NWSAD tournament but fails to complete responsibility of following tournament guidelines previously posted or, by withdrawal or forfeiture, shall be automatically fined and suspended from all NWSAD activities as follows:

a) A fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for each year or fraction of a year thereof that the club has held the privilege to host the tournament.

b) An automatic suspension from all NWSAD activities for a period of three (3) years.

c) A deprivation of bidding for another national tournament for a period of four (4) years, commencing on the last day of their three-year suspension

ARTICLE 13- CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION

Section 13.1 The conditions of competition in and the rules governing any athletic tournament given by this association shall be prescribed in the rules and regulations of the NSAD.

ARTICLE 14- CONDUCT OF THE PLAYERS, MANAGERS, COACHES, AND FANS

Section 14.1 All registered members, who are participants or spectators in NWSAD and sanctioned tournaments, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the NWSAD and its regulations, as well as the regulations of the national organization sanctioning the tournament. They shall conduct themselves at all times and in all places and in conformity with the tradition of NWSAD events.

Section 14.2 Any person who violates the civil code (Social Conditions) and/or regulations of properties, facilities, state, county, and city where the athletic event is held, shall be barred from all NWSAD athletic events for two (2) years and one (1) year probation following infraction.

Section 14.3 Prior to the dismissal of such person, the NWSAD Executive Committee is authorized, directed, and empowered to observe, investigate, hear evidence, and determine the fact of violations of the rules of conduct as may be appropriate in the circumstances.

ARTICLE 15- ELIGILITY RULES

Section 15.1- No Discrimination

Section 15.1.1- There shall be no discrimination toward any athlete because of race, nationality, sex, color, religion, or creed.

Section 15.2- Team Eligibility Rules

Section 15.2.1- NWSAD will adhere to the current Rules and Regulations of the NSAD regarding team eligibility.

Section 15.2.2 The team roster shall not exceed twenty (20) players, including the coaching staff and scorekeeper.

Section 15.3- Player Eligibility Rules

Section 15.3.1 The coach, manager, and players must be full-time residents of the NWSAD region.

Section 15.3.2 Valid proof of full-time residency shall be a current driver’s license and/or valid state ID which provides such proof of residency within the region for at least thirty (30) days prior to the registration deadline.

Section 15.3.3 No hearing player shall be allowed to play on any NWSAD men and women team in NWSAD Tournament.

Section 15.3.3.1 Coaches must submit audiograms of new players to the NWSAD Secretary by the registration deadline date for eligibility consideration. A “new player” is a first-time participant in the NWSAD tournament.

Section 15.3.3.2 If the new player’s audiogram is submitted to NWSAD and is determined to be a fraud, the team coach shall be suspended from NWSAD competition for a period of two (2) years.

Section 15.4 Any student who is still in high school (deaf, hearing, or mainstreamed school) shall be permitted to participate in the annual NWSAD softball tournament. Parent or legal guardian’s permission is required if the student is younger than eighteen (18) years of age.

Section 15.5 Additional rules regarding eligibility shall be determined at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors

Article 16- REGISTRATION

Section 16.1 The annual NWSAD tournament shall be open to all active NWSAD member clubs and/or teams desiring to participate. The NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer shall send one (1) or more players’ registration form with instructions to each NWSAD member club and/or team and a mailing list of all active NWSAD member clubs and/or teams to each NWSAD member club and/or team.

Section 16.2 The deadline for the softball registration forms shall be June 15^th

Section 16.2.1 Each team shall fax a copy of its completed and signed registration form to the NWSAD Secretary/Treasurer by June 15^th. Failure will result in a penalty of $100.

Section 16.2.2 The registration forms shall be mailed with all fees paid in full to the NWSAD Secretary/Treasurer by the deadline. The forms shall be mailed via certified mail and the name of the express company and tracking number shall be emailed to the NWSAD Secretary/Treasurer within 24 hours. Failure to comply will result in a penalty of $100.

Section 16.3 There must be ten (10) or more players, coach, and manager signed on the registration form to be eligible for the annual NWSAD softball tournament.

Section 16.4 A flat rate of $75.00 per team shall be paid to the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer as the teams’ entry fee, regardless of the number of players signed up ($50.00 for NWSAD and $25.00 for National Softball Association of the Deaf).

Section 16.5 The participating players, coaches, and managers shall pay ten dollars ($10.00) per person. It shall be collected by the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer for part of or for all activities including all social events held during the time of the NWSAD tournament. Two dollars ($2.00) shall go into the championship fund to help pay for the champions’ expenses to the National Tournament. Five dollars ($4.00) shall go to the host club/team. The remaining four dollars ($4.00) shall go into the NWSAD Treasury.

Section 16.5.1 In the event the championship team (men or women) does not participate in the national tournament, the championship funds shall be given to another team that participates in the national tournament in order from the 2nd place team and down. If no teams are able to participate in the national tournament, the championship funds shall be returned to the NWSAD championship fund. The men’s championship fund may not add to the women’s championship fund nor may the women’s championship fund add to the men’s championship fund.

Section 16.6 The participatory players, coaches, and managers shall pay five dollars ($5.00) each to cover the round robin umpire costs.

Section 16.7 No player may register with more than one (1) men or women’s member club or team. If any player signs more than one (1) registration form, the player shall automatically be suspended from all NWSAD and national competitions for a period of one (1) year from the date of the second signature.

Section 16.8 Any player, who has already signed up for a men or women’s team, is allowed to sign up for a regional coed team.

Section 16.9 Any NWSAD member club and/or team may make a request with documented proof to the NWSAD office to suspend its former player from playing in NWSAD events when he/she owes the former NWSAD member club or team one hundred dollars ($100.00) or more. If the request is sent by the NWSAD member club or team to the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer within thirty (30) days prior to this year’s annual NWSAD registration deadline, the request will not be accepted until the end of this year’s annual national tournament and the former player shall be eligible to participate in this year’s annual NWSAD and national tournaments. After the end of this year’s national tournament, he/she shall be suspended from participating in any future annual NWSAD tournaments until his/her debt is paid in full to the NWSAD member club or team.

Section 16.9.1 Players on suspension must be cleared by the NWSAD club and/or team that made the request to suspend them and the NWSAD Executive Board by the registration deadline or be declared ineligible to sign the registration form.

Section 16.10 The officers of the NWSAD Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Secretary-Treasurer, and Recorder, and NWAAD/ NWSAD Hall of Fame members shall be given a discounted price of ten (10) dollars to all events held during the annual NWSAD tournament. Check to be sure

Section 16.11 Emergency, Damage, Bounced Check, and Insurance

Section 16.11.1 All NWSAD member clubs or teams shall be responsible for the physical condition of their players, coaches, and managers during the tournament games. Any unforeseen accidents or mishaps to players during the tournament games will be the liability of such member club sponsoring the team. The NWSAD, the national softball organization, and the host club shall not be held liable for any injury whatsoever to any player, coach, or manager.

Section 16.11.2 All participating players, coaches, and managers shall sign their waiver and release forms before participating in the annual NWSAD tournament. In case of failure to sign, no player, coach, or manager shall be eligible for participation of any NWSAD tournament games.

Section 16.11.3 Should any person whose name appears on a delegate form or on the registration form of a participating team in the annual NWSAD tournament fail to pay his/her hotel bill or writes a check that bounces, that person, as well as the member club or team, shall be suspended for a period of one (1) year. Upon proof of payment of the delinquent bill to the hotel, or the bounced check made good, the suspension of the member club or team shall be lifted. However, the person responsible for payment delinquency will remain suspended for the entire year. NWSAD will not be responsible for its fans. If the person is on the championship team and has already purchased his/her plane ticket and has already cleared the debt, then his/her 1-year suspension will not go into effect until the day after the national tournament.

ARTICLE 17- REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

Section 17.1 Tournament Policies

Section 17.1.1 The annual NWSAD tournament must be held annually on either the second, or third weekend of July. The Tournament shall begin on the Friday of announced tournament dates. Such date shall be announced one year in advance.

Section 17.1.2 Such tournaments shall be in complete charge of by a committee appointed by the member club or team sponsoring the annual NWSAD tournament. A member of the Executive Committee shall be a member of said committee

Section 17.1.2.1 The host club of the annual NWSAD tournament shall decide the times of the games and submit the timetable to the Executive Committee for approval.

Section 17.1.3 Each field must have a backstop, outfield fence, and adequate lighting for night games if necessary. There shall be as many fields as necessary to expedite the annual NWSAD softball tournament.

Section 17.1.4 The host club shall provide at least two new yellow/ lime softballs per game. The softball shall be 12-inch (men) and 11-inch (women) restricted flight and marked “official ASA-approved.”, “official USSSA-approved’, or “official NSA-approved.”

Section 17.1.5 Round Robin system shall be used at the NWSAD tournaments.

Section 17.2 Method of Drawing

Section 17.2.1 The drawing will be established at the coaches’ meeting to setup the number of pools depending on how many teams. After the round robin results, seeding will be based on their team’s records and based on the tie breaker rule to insert the double elimination brackets. The bracket diagrams shall be designed and made by the Executive Committee, according to the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association (USSSA), or National Softball Association (NSA) regulations.

Section 17.2.1.2 Tie Breaker rules:

Head to Head
Opponents’ total runs allowed (fewest number of runs allowed will have the higher seed)
Coin flip

Section 17.2.2 Once such annual NWSAD tournament pairings have been made, approved, and announced, no changes whatsoever may be made in the diagram.

Section 17.3 Tournament Officials

Section 17.3.1 All tournament game regulations other than the ones specified in these Rules and Regulations of the NWSAD and NSAD shall be followed as outlined in the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association (USSSA), or National Softball Association (NSA) official regulations.

Section 17.3.2 NWSAD shall use the National Softball of the Deaf (NSAD) Rule Book. If there is a conflict with NWSAD Softball rules, NWSAD’s softball rules shall take precedence over the NSAD Rules Book.

Section 17.3.3 All games in the annual NWSAD softball tournament shall have one (1) umpire with the exception of the championship game which requires two (2) umpires, recognized and certified by the ASA, USSSA, or NSA, shall be paid by the host club.

Section 17.3.4 Each game shall have a qualified official scorekeeper.

Section 17.4 Tournament Game Rules

Section 17.4.1 Round Robin Rules

Time Limit- 55 minutes
Pitching distance-50′-55′
Warm-up Pitches- 5 warm-up pitches to start the game and then 3 warm up pitches between each inning. When a new pitcher enters the game, the new pitcher should be given 5 warm up pitches.
Starting count is 1 ball and 1 strike with courtesy foul after the batter has 2 strikes
Black Mat- the ball shall touch any portion of the mat shall constitutes a strike on the batter
Courtesy Runner- one per inning. The courtesy runner will be the last batted out.
5 home runs limit
Excessive home run(s) are considered automatic out
Mercy Rule- 15 runs or more at end of the 3rd inning or 10 runs or more at the end of the 5^th inning ends the game
There is no tie breaker rule if the game is tied.

Section 17.4.2 Double Elimination Rules

Time limit- 60 minutes
Mercy Rule- 10 runs or more at end of the 5^th inning
If the game is tied, the game will continue using the “International Tie-Breaker Rule”. Under this rule, each team starts the inning with the player who completed the last official at bat, as a base runner on second base. Each subsequent inning will start the same until a winner has been determined.
Follow the rest of the round robin rules

Section 17.4.3 Championship Rules

No time limit or mercy rule, tiebreaker
Extra inning shall be used if necessary
Follow the rest of round robin

Section 17.4.4 A rule to establish a time limit may be adjusted at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 17.5 Uniforms and Equipments

Section 17.5.1 All players, coach, and manger of each team shall wear shirts and caps of uniform color and design. The pitcher can wear either cap or face mask. Players shall be identifiable by wearing a 6″ inches high number(s) on back of shirts. For female players only, caps are optional.

Section 17.5.2 All players’ uniform numbers shall be identical to what is shown on current NWSAD/NSAD registration form.

Section 17.5.3 Illegal bats are defined as bats that are non approved by ASA.

Section 17.5.3.1 If any player uses an illegal or hot bat, the player will be ejected from the tournament and the game will be forfeit.

Section 17.6 Tournament Awards Criteria

Section 17.6.1 First/ Second Team All Star Awards

1^st place- (4) 1^st All Stars
2^nd place- (3) 1^st All Stars
3^rd place- (2) 1^st All Stars
4^th place- (1) 1^st All Star

1^st place- (2) 2^nd All Stars
2^nd place- (2) 2^nd All Stars
3^rd place- (2) 2^nd All Stars
4^th place- (2) 2^nd All Stars
5^th place- (1) 2^nd All Star
6^th place- (1) 2^nd All Star

Most Valuable Player – It shall be awarded to the Championship Team.
Most Outstanding Player – It shall be awarded to a player from any team.
Golden Gloves Award- It shall be awarded to a player from one of the top three teams.
Team Sportsmanship and Coach of the Tournament will be determined by NWSAD Executive Committee

Section 17.6.2 The Host Club or team shall provide tournament trophies or plaques for each division to the following:

The first three places
Ten (10) First All Star Team
Ten (10) Second All Star Team if five (5) or more teams
Most Valuable Player
Most Outstanding Player
Team Sportsmanship
Batting Average Champion
Golden Glove
Coach of the Tournament

ARTICLE 18- HALL OF FAME

Section 18.1. Introduction. The purpose of the NWSAD Hall of Fame is to honor deaf/hearing-impaired persons who have contributed exceptional service to the deaf related to any sports in the region under the jurisdiction of the Pre-NWAAD (FAAD-Northern Division), NWAAD and the NWSAD of sports as players, coaches, managers, leaders, or writers.

Section 18.2. Controlling Body. There shall be a Hall of Fame Committee consisting of the NWSAD Recorder as chairperson and three (3) persons selected by the NWSAD Recorder. They shall serve for a period of one (1) year, from October 1 to September 30. In the event that any of the four (4) persons selected, is nominated as a candidate for the Hall of Fame, he/she will be replaced by the NWSAD Commissioner.

Section 18.3. Responsibilities of the Hall of Fame Committee. The Hall of Fame Committee shall screen and prepare all nominations, handle all ballots, announce the results, and control and oversee the annual Hall of Fame ceremony. The Hall of Fame Committee shall also see to it that an orderly file on all nominations; photographs, and other related materials are permanently enshrined. These files shall be passed on to their successors.

Section 18.4. Timetable. The Hall of Fame chairperson shall mail thumbnail sketches of nominations leftover from previous years, along with requests for new nominations, to the NWSAD webmaster and shall be posted to the NWSAD website. An email to the electors and member clubs^, letting those members know the nominations and requests have been posted to the NWSAD website must be sent before April 20^th. For those who do not have a valid email address, the nomination list and new nomination request form may be mailed out to those Hall of Fame members upon request, after contacting those members. The electors and the member clubs may send in new nominations or update the existing information on the thumbnail sketches before April 20th. The biographies and the blank ballots shall be emailed/mailed to the electors before May 20th. The ballots through the website as selected shall be returned to the chairperson via email two weeks from the date it was posted on the NWSAD website. Any ballots that were mailed out shall be returned to the chairperson or Secretary-Treasurer before or on June 10^th.The chairperson shall notify the newly-elected Hall of Fame recipients 3 or 4 weeks before the annual NWSAD Tournament date.

Section 18.5. Criteria for Selection. Candidates for the Hall of Fame may be nominated by the member clubs of the NWSAD and by any Hall of Fame electors with the exception of the Hall of Fame committee members. It should be the responsibility of the nominator to supply all supporting material. However, if the chairperson has additional facts available, it shall be his/her responsibility to enclose the information with the nomination. The nominating party’s name shall not be disclosed. Candidates will be nominated on the basis of outstanding leadership, outstanding performance, and/or exceptional contribution to the game, and sportsmanship. No consideration will be given to race, religion, creed, sex, or geographical residence. No candidate shall be nominated to or be a recipient of more than one (1) category.

Categories and criteria for each are as follows:

a)    Players must have played at least several years for Pre-NWAAD, NWAAD, and NWSAD:
1.)   Men must have played at least eight (8) years.
2.)   Women must have played at least five (5) years.

b) In lieu of the five (5) or eight (8) years or more required for players;
Being part of or selected as, may be substituted for exceptional contributions for the following performances:

# of times NWSAD AAAD/NSAD Pre-NWAAD

Championship Team member            3            1            3
MVP             1            1            1
First All-Star            3            2            3
Second All-Star            3            2            3

c) Men / Women Team coaches or managers must have coached or managed a NWSAD/NWAAD/Pre-NWAAD team for at least five (5) years.

d) Leaders and writers must have contributed several years of NWSAD/NWAAD/Pre-NWAAD service to sports:
1. Men Leaders/writers must have contributed at least 8 years combination of categories
in service to softball organization.
2. Women leaders/writers must have contributed at least 5 years combination of categories
in service to softball organization.

e) Old-timers will be those candidates who have not met the criteria of the category to which they are originally nominated. It can consist of players, coaches, managers, leaders, and writers.

Section 18.6. Procedure. The Hall of Fame Committee shall screen all nominations and, on the basis of the contribution according to criteria, select not less than three (3) or more than five (5) candidates in each category who meet the highest standards. In the event that there are less than three (3) qualified candidates in any category, that category shall be left off the ballot. If a nominee is not recognized or noted in five (5) consecutive years, his/her name shall be withdrawn from the thumbnail sketches of nominations leftover. A summary of each candidate’s nomination not to exceed three hundred (300) words, shall be prepared and be mailed with the ballot. The supporting material shall be confined to the candidate’s category. However, if some of the material is deemed significant by the chairperson, such will be treated as supplemental information and will be entered as a footnote to the candidate’s nomination.

Section 18.7. Electors. The electors shall be as follows: NWSAD Commissioner, NWSAD Deputy-Commissioner NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer, NWSAD Recorder, all past NWSAD/NWAAD officers, all three (3) members of the Hall of Fame Committee, and all Hall of Fame members. The chairperson cannot vote. If the elector is a candidate on the ballot, he/she shall not be deprived of voting on the whole ballot, but shall not vote for the category in which his/her name appears. In the event that an elector qualifies in several roles as specified for an elector, he/she shall only receive one (1) ballot.

Section 18.8. Verification of Ballots. The ballots shall be counted and the results tabulated by the chairperson and verified by another member of the Hall of Fame Committee. Ballots and a copy of the tabulations shall be sent to the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer who shall verify the results before any announcements of the winners are made by the chairperson. After a period of six (6) months, the NWSAD Secretary-Treasurer shall destroy the ballots.

Section 18.9. Points. Electors may vote for up to three (3) candidates in each category on a scale of five (5) points for first choice, three (3) points for second choice, and one (1) point for third choice.

Section 18.10. Awards. All newly-elected Hall of Fame recipients shall receive a standardized plaque as a memento of their induction. Such memento shall be paid for from the Hall of Fame fund.

Section 18.11. Ceremony

Section 18.11.1. The ceremony must be held at every annual NWSAD softball tournament. The time of the ceremony shall be determined by NWSAD Executive Board.

Section 18.11.2. The cost of the Hall of Fame ceremony shall be included in the combo ticket.

Section 18.11.3. A flat rate of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per softball host club shall be placed in the Hall of Fame fund.

Section 18.12. Automatic Induction. In the event of a person being inducted in the NSAD Hall of Fame, he/she shall be automatically inducted in the NWSAD Hall of Fame if he/she has not been inducted.

ARTICLE 19- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 19.1 The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised Edition shall govern this association in the cases of which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the rules and regulations or any special rules of order this association may adopt. The NWSAD Executive Committee shall have a current copy of the Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised Edition present at the delegates meeting.

ARTICLE 20- ALTERNATE BENEFICIARY SURPLUS FUNDS

Section 20.1 In the event of the dissolution of this association, such assets and monies will be divided equally among its member clubs who have been active in the last 5 years after a waiting period of five (5) years if no other organization has been organized during that period.

ARTICLE 21- AMENDMENTS

Section 21.1. Amendments to these Rules and Regulations may be made at any annual meeting of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present. Before a vote is taken on any proposed amendment, the proposed amendment must have been submitted to the Chairperson of the Law Committee as follows:

A. Softball meeting of the Board of Directors (all articles)

1) Member clubs and/or team no later than June 15th

2) NWSAD Executive Board no later than June 15th.

Section 21.2 The Chairperson of the Law Committee will post the copy of the proposed amendments to NWSAD website at least fifteen (15) days prior to any annual meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 21.3 Amendment rules and revisions for all articles shall go into effect on September 1^st after ratification of proposed amendment.

Section 21.4 Amendment(s) proposed at the tournament meeting of the Board of Directors shall be referred to the Law Committee for action at the next tournament meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 21.5 Any national softball organization dues and fees may be subject to changing rates with the approval of the NWSAD Board of Directors.

Append- Host Tournament Guidelines