General Rules

1. Players may not be on the roster for two different teams or divisions.
2. ALL PLAYERS must play in at least 60% of all regular season games to be eligible to participate in playoffs, excluding documented medical circumstances. In the case of medical circumstances, the Town/City Director is expected to keep documentation and notify the NCMS Board by email. The NCMS board will notify all teams if a player is ineligible to participate in the playoffs. At the end of the NCMS regular season, all Official Scorebooks will be made available to check by the NCMS Board if there are any reports of foul play. Issues need to be brought to the attention of the Board in writing by the Town/City Director before the Playoff schedule is set. A date will be determined at the NCMS kickoff meeting each year.
3. A player must play for the town in which they reside unless that town does not offer a team at their age level. Some exceptions apply and must be approved by the NCMS Board Directors (tie vote is decided by the past NCMS Board Director or the Chief Umpire if the past Director has left the league) before a player is rostered and able to play. When rosters are submitted to the NCMS league, each director must note any waivers granted by the local league for playing in another town, playing in a younger division, etc.

Game Cancellations / Make-Up Games: In the event of inclement weather, it is the HOME TEAM MANAGER’S responsibility to initiate the communication process for game cancellation. The manager will contact the opposing manager and umpire when cancellations occur. If a game needs to be called for inclement weather, the two managers will have 3 days (72 hours) to reschedule the game and 14 days to play the game.

(Clarification 5/13/26) - No game can be cancelled for weather related conditions more than 2 hours in advance of the games scheduled start time. Games must be played in light to moderate rain unless a league official determines that a field is unsafe for play.

If, after 3 days, the game has not been rescheduled, the softball directors for each town will get involved. The teams can switch fields and move a game to another town to ensure the game is played within 14 days. If a game that has been called due to weather cannot be made up. And every reasonable attempt has been made to reschedule the game before the 14 days (or end of the season, if within 14 days of the close of the season), then it is recorded as a 1-1 tie.

If a manager wants to reschedule a game for a reason other than weather. The manager can request to reschedule the game with the opposing manager as long as the rescheduled game is played within 14 calendar days of the original game. If they cannot work out a new date, then the game will be played when scheduled. If a manager cannot field a team on the scheduled date or work out a new date, then that game will be considered a forfeit and recorded as a 6-0 loss for the forfeiting team. Except in 16U, it will be recorded as a 7-0 loss.

There should be an honest attempt to play ALL regular-season games regardless of the standings.

Families have paid for a full season, and kids need the experience.

The Sportsmanship Code is, “Develop a strong, clean, healthy body, mind, and soul. Develop a strong urge for sportsman-like conduct. Develop an understanding of and respect for the RULES. Develop courage in defeat, tolerance, and modesty in victory. Develop control over emotions and speech. Develop a spirit of cooperation and teamwork. Develop into real, true CITIZENS.” In the NCMS League:

1. Players and coaches are required to maintain a sense of fair play and be respectful of opposing players, coaches, and spectators at all times;
2. Players, coaches, and spectators will not question or criticize umpire calls and will only positively speak to umpires. Don't run at, yell at, degrade, touch, or argue a call loudly or at length with an umpire – after a play, the Head Coach may call and receive time, walk to the umpire that made the call, and ask a rules question in an appropriate tone and with appropriate body language and behavior. There is a zero-tolerance policy for disrespectful or inappropriate interactions with a junior umpire (including repeatedly questioning calls). A junior umpire should work with the home team coach as their advocate to resolve any issues with players, coaches, and spectators.
3. Players, coaches, and spectators are not allowed to attempt to distract an opposing player at any time during the game, whether they are pitching, fielding, or hitting. This includes negative chants, cheers, and taunts. Coaches are expected to keep behaviors in check and listen to the songs/chants coming from their dugout.

Complaints about sportsmanship during interleague play should be made in writing to the NCMS League Board, and disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, immediate ejection from the game, a written warning, probation, and/or suspension of an individual or team.

Protests (Majors and Juniors Only): The team managers and the umpire should make every attempt to resolve any conflict and continue the game. If a resolution can not be reached, the head coach must inform the umpire before leaving the field. The NCMS League Director(s) should be notified ASAP.