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In-House Softball Rules

In-House Softball RulesTable of Contents

General Guidelines 3Minor (7 to 10 year old) 4

LENGTH OF BASES/PITCHER’S MOUND: 4INNINGS PLAYED/MAXIMUM RUNS: 4SCOREKEEPING: 4COACHES: 4PLAYERS: 4PLAYING TIME: 5CONTINOUS BATTING ORDER: 5WALKS: 5

First four calendar weeks Error! Bookmark not defined. Last four calendar weeks and tournament play. 6

THROWN BAT RULE: 6DROP THIRD STRIKE: 6PITCHERS: 67 YEAR OLD EXCEPTIONS: 7RUNNING: 7NO CONTACT RULE: 7STEALING/LEAD OFFS: 8INFIELD FLY RULE: 8BUNTING: 8BORROWING PLAYERS: 8COMPLETED GAMES, Tournament Play Only: 8UNIFORMS: 8EQUIPMENT: 8PLAY-OFFS: 9

Major (11-13 year old) 10LENGTH OF BASES/PITCHER’S MOUND: 10INNINGS PLAYED/MAXIMUM RUNS: 10COACHES: 10PLAYERS: 10PLAYING TIME: 10CONTINUOUS BATTING ORDER: 11THROWN BAT RULE: 11DROP THIRD STRIKE: Error! Bookmark not defined.PITCHERS: 11RUNNING: 12NO CONTACT RULE: 12STEALING/LEAD OFFS: 12INFIELD FLY RULE: 12BUNTING: 12BORROWING PLAYERS: 13COMPLETED GAMES – Regular Season: 13UNIFORMS: 13EQUIPMENT: 13PLAY-OFFS: 13

Senior (14-18 year old) 14LENGTH OF BASES/PITCHER’S MOUND: 14INNINGS PLAYED/MAXIMUM RUNS: 14COACHES: 14PLAYERS: 14

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In-House Softball RulesPLAYING TIME: 14CONTINUOUS BATTING ORDER: 15THROWN BAT RULE: 15DROP THIRD STRIKE: 15PITCHERS: 15RUNNING: 16NO CONTACT RULE: 16STEALING/LEAD OFFS: 16INFIELD FLY RULE: 16BUNTING: 16BORROWING PLAYERS: 17COMPLETED GAMES – Regular Season: 17UNIFORMS: 17EQUIPMENT: 17PLAY-OFFS: 17

General GuidelinesThe In-House rules listed below shall be followed throughout the current MPPD girl’s softball season. All other past rules will not be enforced and thrown away. Any disagreement between coaches concerning any of these rules listed will be discussed between all parties involved, the league directors and members of the Advisory Board. These In-House rules are additions to the ASA softball rulebook and the general guidelines created by the MPPD Baseball/Softball Association. The directors and coaches throughout the program created the rules listed within in effort to create a balance throughout the league. The ASA softball rulebook will be used for all official rules governing play.

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Minor (7 to 10 year old)

The official playing rules will apply as stated in the ASA Softball Rules Book. The following EXCEPTIONS will constitute the IN-HOUSE GAME RULES for the Minor division.

LENGTH OF BASES/PITCHER’S MOUND:The length between bases for the Minor level will be 60 feet. The pitcher’s mound is to be 35 feet from home plate. The orange safety base will be used for the runners approaching 1st base.

INNINGS PLAYED/MAXIMUM RUNS:The number of innings to be played at the Minor level will be 6 complete innings or a maximum of 2 hours in length. A game will be considered complete after 4 completed innings.

SCOREKEEPING:Score is not kept for the first 8 games of the season. The last 6 games (date to e determined) score will be kept. There will be no official standing kept at the Minor level.

Playoff seeding will be determined by the Minor Coaches after the last game of the season. A blind ballot will be sent to the league directors. Location of the meeting will be determined towards the end of the season by the league director(s).

COACHES:One defensive coach will be allowed on the field during the games, but should avoid any assistance on a play, other than verbal directions. Only base coaches and a backup catcher will be allowed on the field. All other coaches must remain in the dugout or stands. All coaching will take place from the dugout or from the field coaches. No coaching of batters or fielders will be allowed from behind the fences, including the backstop. Coaches should coach their own team and not give assistance to the opposing teams players unless asked to do so by the opposing team’s coach. Coaches coming into pitch must pitch from the pitcher’s mound and not in front of the circled area. Couches should also do the very best to avoid interfering with the defensive team fielding a batted ball. Coaches are asked to remain still until the play is over unless in danger of being hit by a batted ball. Coaches should allow umpires to make all calls and not try to influence them in any matter.

For the playoffs, no defensive coaches will be allowed on the field. The backup catcher will be allowed during the playoffs.

PLAYERS:All defensive players who are not on the field must remain in the dugout or behind the fence. For the team that is batting, only the Batter, On Deck Hitter and Batter In The Hole are allowed out of the dugout. The on deck hitter should be behind the batter. (First base side for a left handed batter and Third Base side for a right handed hitter.

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PLAYING TIME:Free substitution will be allowed however, a player must play at least 3 consecutive outs in the field unless injured or a pitching substitution. In addition, there may be no more than a 1 inning difference between the most used and least used players defensively. A player cannot sit out two innings in a row unless the player is injured. All players must sit at least one inning if 11 or more players are present. A rotation of players is strongly suggested.

There will only be 10 players (9 is optional) allowed on the field during the game. Teams are allowed no more than 7 girls in the infield positions (P, C, 3B, SS, SC, 2B, 1B) and must have three players in the outfield positions while in the field. Coaches are strongly encouraged to teach players the difference between infield and outfield by proper placement. You can secure players from the opposing team if you are short since this is instructional play.

If a player is experiencing excessive absences, playing time may be limited per the coach’s request to the league director(s). No coach can limit the playing time of a team member without consent of the league directors.

CONTINOUS BATTING ORDER:All of the players on the team will be listed in the batting order, and bat according to this order throughout the game. Each team’s batting order is to be submitted to the opposing team’s head coach or scorekeeper for the game record at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the game. If a player arrives late and misses a turn at bat, the player is to be placed at the bottom of the batting order and will continue to bat in the spot throughout the remainder of the game.

Coaches are encouraged to rotate their batting order each game to give different players a chance to bat at various spots in the batting order.

A maximum of 10 players will bat per inning or 3 outs.

WALKS:

(Date to be Determined)During the first four calendar weeks of the season the batter must continue batting until they successfully hit, strikeout or create an out. The only exception is if a pitch hits the batter. A batter who is hit by a pitch will advance to first base unless the bases are loaded.

If a pitcher has pitched four balls, a coach from the batters team will pitch to the batter. Strikes pitched will remain. The batter can strike out by swinging and missing the pitches.

Example: The regular pitcher, after 4 balls, pitches a walk, but there is one strike recorded. The coach will pitch to the batter with one strike from the pitcher’s mound. A batter will be called out by a combination of foul balls and pitches swung at and missed. The umpire will call these pitches. There are no called strikes by the umpire on pitches not swung at.

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From (date to be determined) and post-season play. After the first four calendar weeks of the season have been completed, walks are allowed. A maximum of two consecutive walks will be allowed. A hit batsmen is not considered a walk. A runner will not be allowed to score on a walk. A runner will not be allowed to score if a pitch hits the batter. If a pitch hits the batter, the pitch will be called a ball if the bases are loaded.

A coach from the batter’s team will pitch to the batter (from the pitcher’s mound) if the count reaches ball four (strike count remains) and:

Two batters in a row have been walked Bases are loaded. Bases are loaded and the pitch hits the batter. The pitch is a ball. The batter is the 10th batter of the inning. The inning cannot end on a walk.

** If the bases are loaded and the batter is hit by the pitch and cannot continue because of injury, the next batter will bat and the injured player will return to the bench. The count will start over.

THROWN BAT RULE:1st offense Verbal warning.2nd offense Play is considered dead and batter must bat again unless the batter is

out.3rd offense Batter is called out.

DROP THIRD STRIKE:There will be no drop third strike rule in effect for the Minor level.

PITCHERS:At the Minor level, pitchers will be allowed to pitch only 2 innings per game. The innings do not need to be consecutive. Pitchers may re-enter a game and may freely substitute at any position throughout the game.

The pitcher must use windmill pitching.

The pitcher must start with two feet touching the rubber and may not step backwards off the pitching plate before releasing the ball. Any pitch deemed illegal by the umpire will be considered a dead ball.

One pitch constitutes an inning pitched.

Five warm-up pitches are allowed between innings. Please have your catchers ready for warm-ups.

All pitchers at the Minor Level must wear a protective batting helmet while pitching.

Hit batsmen: If a pitcher hits three batters in one inning the pitcher will be removed from pitching for the remainder of the inning. The player may reenter the game as a pitcher if the player has not pitched the maximum innings allowed.

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In-House Softball RulesA ball that hits the ground and then the batter is considered a dead ball. A “ball” is awarded to the batter. This is not considered a hit batter and not included in the total of batters hit by the pitcher. If the batter swings it is considered a strike.

7 YEAR OLD EXCEPTIONS:All 7 years olds must have completed 1 full year of T-ball to be eligible to participate in the girls softball program. 7-year-old fielders are limited to playing only outfield and second base. If a coach feels that a 7-year-old player can safely play other positions, the coach must get approval by the Director(s) of Girl’s Softball. For the first four calendar weeks of the season, at the coach’s discretion, a coach may pitch to 7-year-old batters. With both coaches approval, a coach pitching to a 7 year old may move forward in front of the pitcher’s mound to benefit the batter’s development.

RUNNING:A runner may only advance one base on an infield hit. If the ball is thrown out of bounds, the runner will advance to the next base. Out of bounds is judged by the umpire. Overthrows inbounds will be considered “dead”. When running to first base, if the runner is running through the base, the runner must touch the base unoccupied by the fielder. The base is determined by the position of the fielder in relation to the throw.

A play is considered “dead” and all play will stop when a ball hit to the outfield crosses into the infield and is under control in fair or foul territory. The base plane will be used to determine the infield / outfield line. If the runner is NOT more than half way to the next base, the runner will be sent back to the previous base. Half way will be judged by the umpire.

Head first sliding is not allowed. A player will be called out if the player slides head first. A player may dive back headfirst to return to their original base.

SPEED-UP RULE FOR PITCHERS/CATCHERS:Coaches are asked to pitch run for the pitcher and/or catcher if they are on base with two outs in the inning. This will allow them adequate time to warm-up before returning to the field, thus keeping the flow of the game moving.

NO CONTACT RULE:If the ball is being thrown to a base that a runner is approaching and if there is a chance for a play, the runner MUST avoid collision by sliding or running around the player catching the ball to avoid injury. Failure to avoid contact will result in the runner being called out. If the fielder that the ball is thrown to is not in possession of the ball, that fielder must stand out of the base path & off the base to avoid collision or injury otherwise the runner could be called safe.

STEALING/LEAD OFFS:The Minor level will be allowed to steal bases if both coaches agree to use this rule before the game. If one coach votes not to steal bases then no stealing will be allowed during that game. A player is limited to stealing one base per at bat. Only second & third bases can be stolen. The runner may steal only after the ball crosses home plate. Lead offs are not allowed and will result in

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In-House Softball Rulesthe runner being called out for leaving too early. Delayed steals are not permitted. The ball will become dead & the runner returning to the original base cannot be played on. Example, if the catcher or any other player plays on a runner at a base, the play is dead & the runner is not able to advance or be tagged out. This involves a play between pitches that the runner taunted, attempted or to steal & was coming back to the base.

Play will stop when the ball is under control within the inside of the base paths.

INFIELD FLY RULE:The infield fly rule will not apply.

BUNTING:Bunting is not permitted. No fake bunting and hitting allowed. If this occurs, the batter will be called out whether she makes contact or not.

BORROWING PLAYERS:A Minor team playing short-handed will borrow players from the opposing team. These players will only fill in on defense and not bat against their own team.

COMPLETED GAMES, Tournament Play Only:All games must be completed. If a game is called due to weather or darkness, it will be continued from the time when it was postponed at the soonest available date.

Tournament games CANNOT end in a tie. If the time limit is reached or conditions do not allow continuing the game, the game will be rescheduled.

UNIFORMS:Visors and uniforms should be worn properly during all the games. All jewelry, including earrings, must be removed during the game. Shirts must be worn tucked in and visors must be worn with bills forward while on the playing field. A player will not be eligible to play without a uniform.

EQUIPMENT:All equipment must be ASA approved. Any bat that has been altered is not allowed.

PLAY-OFFS:

Play-Offs will begin once the season is completed. Teams will follow the double elimination format. The following rules will apply:There will be official scores kept during the playoffs. Their will be a maximum of 6 runs per team per inning for the first five innings. Subsequent innings both teams may score an unlimited number of runs. If one team is losing by 12 runs after four complete innings or 10 runs after five complete innings, the Mercy Rule takes effect and the game is considered over. If time is an issue, the umpire must call last inning PRIOR to the start of the fourth or fifth inning to allow for a team to score an unlimited number of runs. Both coaches should be aware of time and agree on the official last inning of the game.

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In-House Softball Rules Games will have a maximum length of 2 hours . If tied after the 2 hour time limit, the game will

follow the International Tie-Breaker Rule. There will be no borrowing of players in the playoffs. If a team cannot field 8 defensive players

it is considered a forfeit. All other regular season rules will be followed throughout the play-offs. The coach pitch rules will be in affect during the play-offs. If the game goes into extra innings, all pitchers are allowed to pitch one extra inning each until

a winner is decided. No pitcher can pitch a second extra inning until all have had the chance to pitch.

Coaches will vote one week before the season ends to seed the Minor division for the tournament.

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Major (11-13 year old)

The official playing rules will apply as stated in the ASA Softball Rules Book. The following EXCEPTIONS will constitute the IN-HOUSE GAME RULES for the Majors division.

LENGTH OF BASES/PITCHER’S MOUND:The length between bases for the Major level will be 60 feet. The pitcher’s mound is to be 40 feet from home plate. The orange safety base will be used for the runners approaching 1st base.

INNINGS PLAYED/MAXIMUM RUNS:The number of innings to be played at the Major level will be 6 innings or a maximum of 2 hours and 15 minutes in length. If it is the only game that weeknight or the last game on the weekend, the time limit rule is waved and the darkness rule becomes in effect. There will be a maximum of 6 runs per team per inning for the first five innings. Subsequent innings both teams may score an unlimited number of runs. If one team is losing by 12 runs after four complete innings or 10 runs after five complete innings, the Mercy Rule takes effect and the game is considered over. The umpire must call last inning PRIOR to the start of the fourth or fifth inning.

COACHES:Only base coaches will be allowed on the field. All other coaches must remain in the dugout or stands. All coaching will take place from the dugout or from the field coaches. No coaching of batters or fielders will be allowed from behind the fences, including the backstop. Coaches should coach their own team and not give assistance to the opposing teams players unless asked to do so by the opposing team’s coach.



There will only be 9 players allowed on the field during the game.

If a player is experiencing excessive absences, playing time may be limited per the coach’s request to the league directors. No coach can limit the playing time of a team member without consent of the league directors.

CONTINUOUS BATTING ORDER:All of the players on the team will be listed in the batting order, and bat according to this order throughout the game. Each team’s batting order is to be submitted to the opposing team’s head coach or scorekeeper for the game record at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the game. If a

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In-House Softball Rulesplayer arrives late and misses a turn at bat, the player is to be placed at the bottom of the batting order and will continue to bat in the spot throughout the remainder of the game.

THROWN BAT RULE:1st offense warning from the umpire2nd offense same batter is out and notation made in scorebook3rd offense same batter is out and ejected from the game (dead ball).

The Director(s) are to be notified of the occurrence by the manager of the ejected player’s team.

DROP THIRD STRIKE:Will be used the second half of the season if the majority of the coaches agree. If a catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground when there are fewer than two outs and first base is unoccupied, or anytime there are two outs, the batter has the opportunity to reach first base safely before she is tagged out or forced out at the base.

PITCHERS:At the Majors level, pitchers will be allowed to pitch no more than three innings per game. Innings do not have to be consecutive. Pitchers may freely substitute at any position throughout the game. If a game is tied and goes to extra innings, each pitcher who has used up their 3 innings will receive 1 additional extra inning to pitch. After that, a new pitcher must be used.


The pitcher must start with two feet touching the rubber and may not step backwards off the pitching plate before releasing the ball. Any pitch deemed illegal by the umpire will be considered a dead ball.

One pitch constitutes an inning pitched.



A ball that hits the ground and then the batter is considered a dead ball. A “ball” is awarded to the batter. This is not considered a hit batsmen. This is not included in the total of batters hit by the pitcher. If the batter swings it is considered a strike.

RUNNING:If the ball is thrown out of bounds, the runner will advance to the next base. Out of bounds is judged by the umpire. When running to first base, if the runner is running through the base, the runner must touch the base unoccupied by the fielder. The base is determined by the position of the fielder in relation to the throw.


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In-House Softball RulesNO CONTACT RULE:If the ball is being thrown to a base that a runner is approaching and if there is a chance for a play, the runner MUST avoid collision by sliding or running around the player catching the ball to avoid injury. Failure to avoid contact will result in the runner being called out. If the fielder that the ball is thrown to is not in possession of the ball, that fielder must stand out of the base path & off the base to avoid collision or injury otherwise the runner could be called safe.

STEALING/LEAD OFFS:The Major level will be allowed to steal bases. Only second and third bases can be stolen. The runner may steal only after the ball crosses home plate. Lead offs are not allowed and will result in the runner being called out for leaving too early.

If a team is leading by seven or more runs, stealing will not be allowed by the team with the lead. If the lead returns to less than 7 stealing may resume.

Delayed steals are not permitted. Pick-off’s are not allowed. If a player steals a base and the ball is overthrown, inbounds or out of bounds , the runner or runners cannot advance.

All plays will be dead when the ball is under control in the pitchers circle.

INFIELD FLY RULE:When runners are on first and second or the bases are loaded, with less than two outs and the batter hits the ball into the air in the infield and is determined by the umpire catch-able, the umpire may call the INFIELD FLY RULE. The batter is automatically out whether or not the ball is caught. The other runner(s) may advance at their own risk. The ball becomes live when it hits the playing surface or a player on the field. If the ball lands in foul territory, it is considered a foul ball and the batter continues batting. This rule is at the discretion of the umpire.

BUNTING:Bunting is permitted. No fake bunting and hitting allowed. If this occurs, the batter will be called out whether she makes contact or not.

BORROWING PLAYERS:Teams may borrow any player that is 10 years old in the Minor division. Borrowed players may play any position, but must bat last. If a team thinks they are going to be short handed and brings a player(s) up from the minor division, then has enough players show up to fill a line-up (10 players), they are allowed to use one borrowed player to make a total of 11 players in their line-up. If more than one borrowed player is at the game, it is up to the opposing coach to allow them to play more than the 11 players. No game should be forfeited. Team are allowed to borrow as many players needed to begin the game. A team must have 8 players to start a game. COMPLETED GAMES – Regular Season:Games are considered complete after 4 completed innings. If a game is called due to weather or darkness during the middle of an inning, the score reverts back to the last completed inning. If tied at the end of regulation, the International Tie-Breaker will be used to determine the final score. This will be use for 1 extra inning after time has expired. Starting with the top of the seventh inning, and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin it’s turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on second base (e.g., if the number five batter is the lead-off batter, the number four batter in the batting order will be placed on second base. All games are to be completed before the end of the regular season.

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In-House Softball RulesTeams have one week from the time of rescheduling (if they can’t field a team) to play the game or it is considered a forfeit.



PLAY-OFFS:Play-Offs will begin once the season is completed. If at the end of the season 2 teams are tied, a tiebreaker will be decided by either the record of head to head competition or run differential or coin flip.

All games must be completed. If a game is called due to weather or darkness, it will be continued from the time when it was postponed at the soonest available date.

Teams will follow the double elimination format. The following rules will apply: Games will be 2 hours and 15 minutes in length with a maximum length of 2 hours and 30

minutes. If tied after the 2 hours and 15 minute time limit, the game will follow the International Tie-Breaker Rule.

If the game goes into extra innings, all pitchers are allowed to pitch one extra inning each until a winner is decided. No pitcher can pitch a second extra inning until all have had the chance to pitch.

All regular season rules will be followed throughout the play-offs.

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Senior (14-18 year old)

The official playing rules will apply as stated in the ASA Softball Rules Book. The following EXCEPTIONS will constitute the IN-HOUSE GAME RULES for the Senior division.

LENGTH OF BASES/PITCHER’S MOUND:The length between bases for the Senior level will be 60 feet. The pitcher’s mound is to be 40 feet from home plate. The orange safety base will be used for the runners approaching 1st base.

INNINGS PLAYED/MAXIMUM RUNS:The number of innings to be played at the Senior level will be 7 innings or a maximum of 2 hours and 15 minutes in length. If it is the only game that weeknight or the last game on the weekend, the time limit rule is waved and the darkness rule becomes in effect. There will not be a maximum number of runs per team per inning throughout the game. Subsequent innings both teams may score an unlimited number of runs. If one team is losing by 12 runs after five complete innings or 10 after six complete innings, the Mercy Rule takes effect and the game is considered over. The umpire must call last inning PRIOR to the start of the fifth or sixth inning.

COACHES:Only base coaches will be allowed on the field. All other coaches must remain in the dugout or stands. All coaching will take place from the dugout or from the field coaches. No coaching of batters or fielders will be allowed from behind the fences, including the backstop. Coaches should coach their own team and not give assistance to the opposing teams players unless asked to do so by the opposing team’s coach.



There will only be 9 players allowed on the field during the game.

If a player is experiencing excessive absences, playing time may be limited per the coach’s request to the league directors. No coach can limit the playing time of a team member without consent of the league directors.

CONTINUOUS BATTING ORDER:All of the players on the team will be listed in the batting order, and bat according to this order throughout the game. Each team’s batting order is to be submitted to the opposing team’s head coach or scorekeeper for the game record at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the game. If a

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In-House Softball Rulesplayer arrives late and misses a turn at bat, the player is to be placed at the bottom of the batting order and will continue to bat in the spot throughout the remainder of the game.

THROWN BAT RULE:1st offense warning from the umpire2nd offense same batter is out and notation made in scorebook3rd offense same batter is out and ejected from the game (dead ball).

The Director(s) are to be notified of the occurrence by the manager of the ejected players team.

DROP THIRD STRIKE:If a catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground when there are fewer than two outs and first base is unoccupied, or anytime there are two outs, the batter has the opportunity to reach first base safely before she is tagged out or forced out at the base.

PITCHERS:At the Senior level, pitchers will be allowed to pitch no more than four innings per game. Innings do not have to be consecutive. Pitchers may freely substitute at any position throughout the game. If a game is tied and goes to extra innings, each pitcher who has used up their 4 innings will receive 1 additional extra inning to pitch. After that, a new pitcher must be used.


The pitcher must start with two feet touching the rubber and may not step backwards off the pitching plate before releasing the ball. Any pitch deemed illegal by the umpire will be considered a dead ball. One pitch constitutes an inning pitched.



A ball that hits the ground and then the batter is considered a dead ball. A “ball” is awarded to the batter. This is not considered a hit batsmen. This is not included in the total of batters hit by the pitcher. If the batter swings it is considered a strike.

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RUNNING:If the ball is thrown out of bounds, the runner will advance to the next base. Out of bounds is judged by the umpire. When running to first base, if the runner is running through the base, the runner must touch the base unoccupied by the fielder. The base is determined by the position of the fielder in relation to the throw.


NO CONTACT RULE:If the ball is being thrown to a base that a runner is approaching and if there is a chance for a play, the runner MUST avoid collision by sliding or running around the player catching the ball to avoid injury. Failure to avoid contact will result in the runner being called out. If the fielder that the ball is thrown to is not in possession of the ball, that fielder must stand out of the base path & off the base to avoid collision or injury otherwise the runner could be called safe.

STEALING/LEAD OFFS:The Senior level will be allowed to steal all bases. There is no limit to the number of bases a runner may steal per pitch. The runner may steal once the ball is released from the pitchers hand. Lead offs are not allowed and will result in the runner being called out for leaving too early.

If a team is leading by seven or more runs, stealing will not be allowed by the team with the lead. If the lead returns to less than 7 stealing may resume.

If a team steals a base when winning by 7 or more runs, that team will be given one warning and the runner must return to the original base. If no warning has been given and a player trying to steal is thrown out, that player will be out and all other runners stealing that were safe will return to their original base. Any runners stealing after the warning will be call out if they reach/touch the next base. Any runner leading off or trying to return to a base can be tagged out.

INFIELD FLY RULE:When runners are on first and second or the bases are loaded, with less than two outs and the batter hits the ball into the air in the infield and is determined by the umpire catch-able, the umpire may call the INFIELD FLY RULE. The batter is automatically out whether or not the ball is caught. The other runner(s) may advance at their own risk. The ball becomes live when it hits the playing surface or a player on the field. If the ball lands in foul territory, it is considered a foul ball and the batter continues batting. This rule is at the discretion of the umpire.

BUNTING:Bunting is permitted. No fake bunting and hitting allowed. If this occurs, the batter will be called out whether she makes contact or not.

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BORROWING PLAYERS:Teams may borrow any player that is 13 years old in the Major division or any 14 years old in the Senior division. Borrowed players may play any position, but must bat last. If a team thinks they are going to be short handed and brings a player(s) up from the swing list, then has enough players show up to fill a line-up (9 players), they are allowed to use one borrowed player to make a total of 10 players in their line-up. If more than one borrowed player is at the game, it is up to the opposing coach to allow them to play more than the 10 players. No game should be forfeited. Teams are allowed to borrow as many players needed to begin the game. A team must have 8 players to start a game. COMPLETED GAMES – Regular Season:Games are considered complete after 4 completed innings. If a game is called due to weather or darkness during the middle of an inning, the score reverts back to the last completed inning. If tied at the end of regulation, the International Tie-Breaker will be used to determine the final score. This will be use for 1 extra inning after time has expired. Starting with the top of the eighth inning, and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin it’s turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on second base (e.g., if the number five batter is the lead-off batter, the number four batter in the batting order will be placed on second base. All games are to be completed before the end of the regular season. Teams have one week from the time of rescheduling (if they can’t field a team) to play the game or it is considered a forfeit.



PLAY-OFFS:Play-Offs will begin once the season is completed. If at the end of the season 2 teams are tied, a tiebreaker will be decided by either the record of head to head competition or run differential or coin flip.

All games must be completed. If a game is called due to weather or darkness, it will be continued from the time when it was postponed at the soonest available date.

Teams will follow the double elimination format. The following rules will apply: Games will be 2 hours and 15 minutes in length with a maximum length of 2 hours and 30

minutes. If tied after the 2 hours and 15 minute time limit, the game will follow the International Tie-Breaker Rule.

If the game goes into extra innings, all pitchers are allowed to pitch one extra inning each until a winner is decided. No pitcher can pitch a second extra inning until all have had the chance to pitch.

All regular season rules will be followed throughout the play-offs.

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