2011 LEAGUE RULES & REGULATIONS

 

THE GAME

·   ASA rule book governs all play not covered by League Rules.

·   Games are scheduled to start at 6:15 pm, 7:15 pm, or 8:15 pm.         Exception: Moonlight Leagues

·   Game time is forfeit time.

·   Stealing bases are not allowed.

 

ROSTERS

·  Individuals may play as many times per night and as many nights per week that they want to play.

Exceptions:  You may only be on the roster of one team within a league. You may not play in two games scheduled for the same time.

·   All players must sign their team’s roster to be eligible.

·  Any use of “non-roster” players results in a forfeit of the game.                              

 

PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES

·   Teams are allowed to start or finish a game with 7 players.

o  Players may be added to the line up at any time during the game.

o  There will be no out taken for any vacant spot(s) in the batting line up.

o   Added players must be inserted at the end of the batting order.

·   Teams may bat their entire roster.

·   Any player leaving the game is considered an out unless a substitute is available.

·   Batters start with a one ball and one strike count; no grace foul.

 

HOME TEAM

·   The home team will be determined by a coin flip prior to each game.  Exception: The “in-uniform” rule will be in effect.

o  If one team is not in “in-uniform,” they will forfeit the coin toss.

o  “In-uniform” is defined as the entire team wearing "alike" shirts similar in design and color scheme.

·   Home team is responsible for keeping the official book.

 

COURTESY RUNNER

·   A courtesy runner may be used once per inning.

o  Coed teams are allowed one male and one female courtesy runner per inning.

o  The courtesy runner can be any member of your team that is already in the batting line up.  If the courtesy runner is occupying a base when it is his or her turn to bat, then that person shall be declared an out.  

BALLS

·   Teams hit their own ball; .44 core/400 compression or less.         New or playable.

·   Balls must be ASA approved.

 

HOME RUN LIMITS

·   The home run rule is “1 with 1 up.”

o  A team may never be more than one home run up on their opponent.

o  A team may not go “1 up” in the bottom of the 7th inning or in the bottom of any extra inning.

         Penalty: Any excessive over the fence home runs are outs.

 

EXTRA INNINGS RULE

·   Any inning beyond the 7th will follow the “Extra Innings Rule.”

o  The offensive team will start with the bases loaded and 2 outs.

§   The bases must be occupied by the 3 previous batters in the line up.

       Example:  If the number 6 batter is due to bat, the number 5 batter  will occupy 1st base, the number 4 batter will occupy 2nd base, and the number 3 batter will occupy 3rd base.

 

RUN AHEAD RULE

·   “Mercy Rule” will be used for all games.

o  10 runs after 5 innings, 15 runs after 4 innings, 20 runs after 3 innings.

 

EQUIPMENT

·   No metal spikes are allowed.

·  All bats must be approved by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA).

 

SPORTSMANSHIP

·   No Violence Rule:  Violators will be suspended for a             minimum of 1 year.

 

 

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

·   The winner of the first half of the season will play the winner of the second half for the overall championship. The loser of the game will be the overall league runner-up.

·   If teams are tied for either half of the season, there will be a playoff to determine the winner.

·   If the same team wins both halves, the second place teams will playoff for league runner-up.

 

AWARDS

·   Sponsor Trophies will be awarded to the overall League Champion.

·   Individual players of the overall League Champion teams will receive t-shirts.

           

 COED RULES

 

THE GAME

·   Coed rules supersede all general league rules.

·   Men will hit the 12” ball and women will hit the 11” ball.                (.44 core or less for females; .44 core/375 compression for males)

 

RUN AHEAD RULE

·   There is a limit of 10 runs scored in the first 4 innings only.

 

PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES

·   Teams must alternate males and females in the batting order.

o  Teams may “weave” their batting order.

·   If starting with less than 10 players 3 must be female.

·   There must be 2 players of each sex in the outfield and infield positions.

     Exception: When starting with less than 10 players,                   there must be 1 female in the infield and outfield at all times.

·   Each team must have a male/female pitcher/catcher combination.

   Exception: When starting with less than 10 players, the pitcher and catcher must both be males. 

 

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

·   All outfielders must remain behind the coed line in the outfield.

·   If there is no line, all outfielders must remain in the grass.

·   All infielders must stay off the grass until the ball is hit (not pitched).

o  The defensive “5-man” infield is not allowed.

           Penalty: Offended team has the option to take the                        result of the play or batter being awarded first base with runners advancing when forced.