Playing Rules
Softball Playing Rules
These rules are in addition to any ASA Rules.
General Field Rule
Out of play is third and first backstop extended.
Run Rule
After any complete inning, any team 20 runs ahead will be declared the winner. After 4 ½ or 5 innings, a team ahead by 10 runs will be declared the winner.
Foul Ball Rule & Strike Outs
Each batter will come to the plate with a 1 ball and 1 strike count. The batter is out under the following circumstance: a third strike is called, including an uncaught foul ball that is hit after two strikes. Any combination of three strikes.
In Field Warm-Up
No infield warm-up allowed unless time permits. Teams are requested to warm-up away from spectators. Do no bat balls against the backstop or foul line fencing for batting practice.
Players
A team must have at least 8 players ready to start a ball game. For a team having 8 players at game time, player numbers 9 and 10 will not be considered automatic outs. When your 9th or 10th player arrives, they may enter the game but they must bat in the 9th and 10th spot in the line-up.
ASA Rules on Substitutions
Players must bat in their original batting order. Exception: A player (starter or substitute) may re-enter the game one-time, a team unable to field 10 players because of injury may use a player normally unable to re-enter if no other eligible substitutes are available. The player would bat in the injured players batting position. Any player expelled from the game for bad sportsmanship cannot re-enter under any circumstances.
Courtesy Runner
If requested the last player to be put out will be the new courtesy runner. Maximum 1 runner per inning. An exception is for the same batter in the same inning.
Games & Innings
All games are 7 innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first. The championship game for any tournament will be a full 7 innings regardless of time with the exception being inclement weather. The run rule is still in effect.
Home Plate Map
A strike is when the pitched ball hits either home plate or the mat behind it.
Game Rain-Outs
Any games canceled due to bad weather will be rescheduled. Team coaches should call the Parks and Recreation Department the following business day after 1 p.m. for a make-up schedule. Make-ups can be held on any day including Saturdays.
Steel or Metal Cleats
Shoe soles may be either smooth or have soft or hard rubber cleats. Shoes with metal spikes or cleats will not be permitted.
Jewelry
Casts, exposed jewelry such as wristwatches, bracelets, large or loop type earrings and neck chains, or any item judged dangerous by the umpire, may not be worn during the game. Only stud earrings will be allowed.
Uniforms
Teams wearing the same color t-shirt or jersey is highly recommended but not required.
11th Batter
A team may add their 11th batter at any time during the game, however, be sure to add player to score sheet. Should a team be unable to maintain 11 batters after the game begins, then that spot in the batting order will be skipped over with no penalty to the team. Teams must maintain a minimum of 8 players at all times. Once a batting position has been skipped over it must remain vacant and no player can enter or re-enter at that position.
Softballs
ASA Restricted Flight balls will be provided by the Recreation Department for all game and tournament play. A 12” softball will be utilized for Men and an “11 inch softball will be utilized for women.
Bats
We follow ASA bat restrictions. We reserve the right, at anytime, to restrict any bat from our league for the safety of the players.
COED PLAYING RULES
Team
Consist of 10 players, 5 men and 5 women. A minimum of 8 players is allowed as long as there is an equal or more number o f women to men playing.
Batting Order
Batting must alternate and may start with a male or a female. You may bat 12 players, but player numbers 11 and 12 cannot both be men.
Player Ratio
The infield shall include at least 2 women. Of the pitcher / catcher combination, one must be male and the other female, or both women. The outfield shall also include at least 2 women.
Walks
On a walk to the male batter with 2 outs, the female has the option of walking or batting. If the team has less than 2 outs, the female must bat.
These rules are in addition to any ASA Rules.
General Field Rule
Out of play is third and first backstop extended.
Run Rule
After any complete inning, any team 20 runs ahead will be declared the winner. After 4 ½ or 5 innings, a team ahead by 10 runs will be declared the winner.
Foul Ball Rule & Strike Outs
Each batter will come to the plate with a 1 ball and 1 strike count. The batter is out under the following circumstance: a third strike is called, including an uncaught foul ball that is hit after two strikes. Any combination of three strikes.
In Field Warm-Up
No infield warm-up allowed unless time permits. Teams are requested to warm-up away from spectators. Do no bat balls against the backstop or foul line fencing for batting practice.
Players
A team must have at least 8 players ready to start a ball game. For a team having 8 players at game time, player numbers 9 and 10 will not be considered automatic outs. When your 9th or 10th player arrives, they may enter the game but they must bat in the 9th and 10th spot in the line-up.
ASA Rules on Substitutions
Players must bat in their original batting order. Exception: A player (starter or substitute) may re-enter the game one-time, a team unable to field 10 players because of injury may use a player normally unable to re-enter if no other eligible substitutes are available. The player would bat in the injured players batting position. Any player expelled from the game for bad sportsmanship cannot re-enter under any circumstances.
Courtesy Runner
If requested the last player to be put out will be the new courtesy runner. Maximum 1 runner per inning. An exception is for the same batter in the same inning.
Games & Innings
All games are 7 innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first. The championship game for any tournament will be a full 7 innings regardless of time with the exception being inclement weather. The run rule is still in effect.
Home Plate Map
A strike is when the pitched ball hits either home plate or the mat behind it.
Game Rain-Outs
Any games canceled due to bad weather will be rescheduled. Team coaches should call the Parks and Recreation Department the following business day after 1 p.m. for a make-up schedule. Make-ups can be held on any day including Saturdays.
Steel or Metal Cleats
Shoe soles may be either smooth or have soft or hard rubber cleats. Shoes with metal spikes or cleats will not be permitted.
Jewelry
Casts, exposed jewelry such as wristwatches, bracelets, large or loop type earrings and neck chains, or any item judged dangerous by the umpire, may not be worn during the game. Only stud earrings will be allowed.
Uniforms
Teams wearing the same color t-shirt or jersey is highly recommended but not required.
11th Batter
A team may add their 11th batter at any time during the game, however, be sure to add player to score sheet. Should a team be unable to maintain 11 batters after the game begins, then that spot in the batting order will be skipped over with no penalty to the team. Teams must maintain a minimum of 8 players at all times. Once a batting position has been skipped over it must remain vacant and no player can enter or re-enter at that position.
Softballs
ASA Restricted Flight balls will be provided by the Recreation Department for all game and tournament play. A 12” softball will be utilized for Men and an “11 inch softball will be utilized for women.
Bats
We follow ASA bat restrictions. We reserve the right, at anytime, to restrict any bat from our league for the safety of the players.
COED PLAYING RULES
Team
Consist of 10 players, 5 men and 5 women. A minimum of 8 players is allowed as long as there is an equal or more number o f women to men playing.
Batting Order
Batting must alternate and may start with a male or a female. You may bat 12 players, but player numbers 11 and 12 cannot both be men.
Player Ratio
The infield shall include at least 2 women. Of the pitcher / catcher combination, one must be male and the other female, or both women. The outfield shall also include at least 2 women.
Walks
On a walk to the male batter with 2 outs, the female has the option of walking or batting. If the team has less than 2 outs, the female must bat.