Field Use Policy

AASL obtains field permits from the Acton Recreation Department.  We must abide by the Acton Recreation Field Use Permit and Weather Policy (please refer to this policy in the Downloads section of our site).  Inclement weather policies include:

Field closings are the responsibility of the Acton Recreation Department during weekdays, and group users on weekends.  Regardless of whether the field is officially closed or not, a practice or a game should not commence or continue on a field if:

  • The field has standing water on it (i.e. puddles).  Softball and baseball fields are often playable even with standing water on the infield (base paths should have no water).
  • By playing on the field, the players are or would be damaging the field beyond normal wear and tear (i.e. tearing up the turf, creating muddy areas, etc)
  • Lightning is present.  There is no exception to this rule.
  • The field is saturated with water.  Saturation is when you step on the field and water seeps up to footprint, like a sponge. 

Field Setup

Home team for first game is responsible for setting up the field with bases, cones, and pitchers mound.  Field dimensions can be found in the AASL rule book (see downloads) or on the field layout diagram (see downloads).

Lights at Elm

The lights at Elm Street are typically scheduled to go on automatically 30 minutes before sunset and off at 9:30pm.  Lights can be extended for 15 minutes until 9:45pm if necessary.  Captains can call to extend the lights at (877) 347-3319 and providing the operator your username and password.  Lights cannot be turned back on once they have gone off.  That same number should be called to turn lights off when game ends.

Curfew

AASL receives permits to use Elm Street and NARA Park from the Town of Acton Recreation Department.  These permits allow us to use these facilities for softball related activities.  At Elm Street, once lights are out, everyone must exit the park.  Loitering may be considered trespassing by Acton Police.  

No Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all times on all AASL fields per posted signs and Town of Acton laws.  Past complaints have led to AASL zero-tolerance policy towards alcohol on or near playing fields.  Failure to comply may result in police action, and such events could lead to suspensions or expulsions of players and/or teams from the league.

Parking

Everyone should park in the lots associated with the fields.  Cars parked on the grass at NARA or on the street at Elm may be ticketed.