LEGAL & PARTICIPANT PROTECTIONS

New England Deaf Softball Organization (NEDSO) (LLC)

Legal & Participant Protections — 2026 Edition

(For-Profit Limited Liability Company – Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

This document sets forth the legal, safety, financial, insurance, liability, dispute resolution, and related protective policies governing participation in NEDSO activities. It is incorporated by reference into the full Governance, Rules, and Operating Guidelines and forms a binding part of the participant agreement.

Article I – Organizational Status & Authority

Section 1. Organizational Status

NEDSO is a for-profit limited liability company (LLC) duly organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. NEDSO operates across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine. The Commissioner is responsible for ensuring ongoing compliance with all applicable laws in each state and maintaining the league’s good standing.

Section 2. Intellectual Property

All trademarks, service marks, logos, media content, photographs, video, intellectual property, and other league assets are the exclusive property of NEDSO. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution constitutes infringement and may result in civil and equitable remedies, including cease-and-desist demands, takedown notices, and legal action.

Section 3. Dissolution

Upon dissolution or termination of NEDSO, after payment or adequate provision for all debts, obligations, and liabilities, any remaining assets shall be distributed in such manner as the Commissioner shall determine, consistent with Massachusetts law governing for-profit limited liability companies.

Article II – Emergency & Contingency Authority

Section 1. Emergency Authority

In the event of cancellation, suspension, or modification of league activities due to acts of God, severe weather, public health emergencies, government orders, facility loss, or circumstances beyond NEDSO’s reasonable control, the Commissioner may take such action as he or she deems necessary to protect participant safety, league integrity, and operational continuity.

Section 2. Waiver of Claims in Emergency Situations

Participants expressly waive any claim for damages, refunds, lost opportunities, consequential losses, or other compensation beyond any refund expressly authorized by the Commissioner in connection with emergency-related cancellations, suspensions, or modifications.

Article III – Insurance Coverage

Section 1. League Insurance

NEDSO shall maintain, at its expense, comprehensive general liability insurance and participant accident/medical payments insurance with limits sufficient to cover ordinary risks associated with organized slow-pitch softball activities, including bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, and medical payments arising from participation in league events, practices, or related activities.

Section 2. Coverage Details

The policy or policies shall name NEDSO as the primary insured and include coverage for:

a. Bodily injury and property damage liability;

b. Participant accident/medical payments (subject to policy deductibles and limits);

c. Legal defense costs in the event of claims or lawsuits.Section 3. Participant Acknowledgment

Participants acknowledge and agree that:

a. League insurance provides a baseline level of protection only and is not a substitute for personal health, disability, or excess liability insurance;

b. NEDSO makes no warranty that the insurance will cover every claim, loss, or expense;

c. Participants remain responsible for deductibles, co-pays, or amounts not covered by the policy;

d. In the event of injury, participants shall promptly notify the Commissioner and cooperate with any claims process.

Section 4. Proof & Additional Requirements

Certificates of insurance shall be available upon request by team captains, field owners, or facility operators. NEDSO reserves the right to require participants, teams, or sponsors to provide proof of additional insurance if required by a field owner, facility, or tournament host.

Article IV – Waiver & Assumption of Risk

Section 1. Waiver Requirement

As a condition of registration and participation, every participant must execute NEDSO’s separate Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement (available at nedso.org/waiver or provided during registration) prior to any participation.

Section 2. Assumption of Risk

Participants expressly acknowledge and assume all inherent risks of slow-pitch softball, including but not limited to contact with equipment, other players, field conditions, and weather-related hazards.

Section 3. Release of Liability

The executed waiver releases NEDSO, its officers, members, agents, employees, volunteers, umpires, field owners, sponsors, and affiliates from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or related to any loss, damage, expense, or injury (including death) sustained during NEDSO activities, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Section 4. Media & Likeness Release

Participants grant NEDSO irrevocable permission to use their name, likeness, image, voice, and performance in any media for promotional, educational, or commercial purposes without compensation.

Section 5. Incorporation by Reference

Signed waivers are maintained in NEDSO records and are incorporated by reference into these guidelines. Failure to execute the waiver results in immediate ineligibility to participate.

Article V – Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, NEDSO, its officers, members, agents, employees, representatives, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to participation in NEDSO activities. NEDSO’s total aggregate liability to any participant, team, sponsor, or third party shall not exceed the amount of fees paid by that participant, team, or sponsor in the then-current season.

Article VI – Force Majeure

If the season or any portion thereof is canceled, suspended, or materially disrupted due to acts of God, war, terrorism, government order, epidemic, pandemic, or other events beyond NEDSO’s reasonable control, the Commissioner may, in his or her sole discretion, issue prorated refunds, credits toward future seasons, or no refund. No participant or team shall have any right to a full refund or damages in such circumstances.

Article VII – Injury, Medical Withdrawal & No-Refund Policy

Section 1. Assumption of Risk as Financial Term

Participant acknowledges that participation in NEDSO activities involves inherent risks of injury, illness, permanent disability, paralysis, or death, and that such risks are a foreseeable and accepted part of participation.

Section 2. No Refund Due to Injury or Inability to Participate

No refunds, credits, prorations, or fee transfers shall be issued for any reason related to injury, illness, medical condition, physical limitation, suspension, voluntary withdrawal, reduced playing time, or inability to participate in part or all of the season.

Section 3. Material Condition of Participation

The assumption of injury risk and the no-refund policy are material terms of participation and a condition of registration. Registration constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of these terms.

Section 4. Final Authority

Decisions regarding refunds under this Article are final and not subject to appeal, grievance, arbitration, or review.

Section 5. No Insurance Substitution

League-provided insurance, if any, does not create any right to reimbursement, refund, or fee recovery. Participants are solely responsible for any costs not covered by insurance.

Article VIII – Dispute Resolution

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these guidelines, participation in NEDSO activities, or any transaction with NEDSO shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules (or Expedited Procedures if claim < $75,000). The arbitration shall take place in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. This clause survives termination of participation or dissolution of NEDSO.

Article IX – Financial Policies

Section 1. Refund Policy

Fees are non-refundable except in the case of league cancellation or Commissioner-approved withdrawal. Proration is possible only at the Commissioner’s discretion in cases of force majeure.

Section 2. Reimbursements

Approved field rental costs for local division hosting shall be reimbursed within thirty (30) days of submission of receipts and proof of payment, provided all hosting requirements are met.

Article X – Sponsorships

Section 1. Approval Required

All sponsorships require prior written approval from the Commissioner and execution of a standard sponsorship agreement.

Section 2. Sponsorship Tiers

Tier 1 (Small Logo): $150 per season | Sleeve or upper back | Maximum 20 square inches
Tier 2 (Medium Logo): $300 per season | Upper chest or lower back | Maximum 40 square inches
Tier 3 (Primary Logo): $500 per season | Chest placement | Maximum 70 square inches (limited to one primary sponsor per team)

Section 3. Restrictions

Sponsors must comply with restrictions prohibiting political, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or offensive content. League-wide sponsors take priority over team-level sponsors.

Article XI – Monetization & Revenue Sharing

Section 1. Approval Required

All revenue-generating activities (including concessions, vendors, merchandise sales, spectator fees, or any other form of income by teams, captains, hosts, or third parties) require prior written Commissioner approval.

Section 2. Revenue Share

The team or host shall pay NEDSO twenty percent (20%) of gross event revenue (excluding documented field costs).

Section 3. Documentation & Enforcement

Teams and hosts shall provide complete and accurate documentation of all revenue and expenses upon the Commissioner’s request. Failure to report, remit payment within seven (7) days, or provide requested documentation shall result in a $500 fine and suspension of future hosting privileges.