League Rules

Governing Rules

Current ASA rules shall apply with modifications or exceptions as indicated below. Umpires will be provided by Sports Connection to umpire and supervise the games. It will be the umpire's responsibility to start the games on time, make all final calls regarding outs, balls and strikes, and to settle any disputed calls. Umps will assist in the tracking of the score and in any discrepancies in the lineup, but it is the responsibility of both teams to maintain their respective lineups and scores for each inning.  The ump has been trained to call games under the Sports Connection and ASA rules and will make the calls based on his/her interpretation of these rules. Any questions or concerns regarding the rules or league policies should be brought to the attention of the league coordinator.

Equipment

1. Molded cleats or tennis shoes are the only allowable footwear. NO METAL CLEATS ARE ALLOWED. Shoes must be worn at all times.

2. Legal softball bats must conform to ASA (American Softball Association) guidelines. A list of illegal or “banned” bats will be located at the softball fields as well as at: http://www.asasoftball.com/about/certified_equipment.asp. All bats must have an ASA 2000 or ASA 2004 stamp AND not be listed on this list. The official bat shall be smooth. It shall be free of DENTS, burrs and VISIBLE CRACKS, and shall not have exposed rivets, pins, rough or sharp edges.

3. It is the responsibility of the each team to provide the scorebooks and softballs each game.  Sports Connection will have extra balls and they will be offered for sale at the field at a cost of $7 per ball.  Teams will play with a 12-inch .44 COR, 375 COMP ball. Each ball MUST have size, core, composition and ASA logo stamped on it. Each team must present their game ball to the umpire prior to the start and during the game any time a new ball is thrown in. A team found using illegal or altered balls will be given a forfeit and may face additional penalties.

4. If a player takes his/her stance in the batter's box with illegal equipment, they will immediately be called out. If they enter the batter's box or field of play a second time with illegal equipment, they will be ejected from the game and not allowed a substitute.

5. Jersey color assignments in the event of a “same color” conflict, home team will wear a “dark” color and the visitors will wear a “light color." Teams should bring two jerseys to each game to avoid a conflict.

Starting the Game

1. The MySAM program will determine Home and Away teams, distributed evenly throughout the season.

2. Teams must be prepared to begin play promptly at the scheduled game time by checking in with the coordinator prior to game time.

3. Games will start and end on time.  There will be a maximum of a 5-minute warm-up/grace period.  If both captains AND the umpire are ready to start the game before the 5 minutes are up, they can start early.  Teams not ready to play will forfeit the game.  If a forfeit occurs, teams will be allowed to use the field until their game time is finished. Umpires are not required to umpire games that are a forfeit, but many will anyway.

4. A team shall consist of ten (10) players. Teams may begin and continue play with a minimum of (8) eight players and bat as many as twelve 12 players. The defensive positions of pitcher and catcher must be filled.

        A. A full Coed team is made up of 6 males and 4 females.

        B. Coed teams can play with 2 females.  (Both females must bat twice in the line-up)

        C. Coed teams can play with 3 females (1 female must bat twice in the line-up)

        D. Coed teams cannot have more than 6 male players in the field at anytime.  There is no limit on the number of female players.

        E. Coed teams can only bat 7 males, if there are at least 4 females (1 female must bat twice)

5. If a team plays with 8 or 9 players, the missing spot in the lineup with NOT be called an out.

Length of Game

1. An official game will consist of seven (7) full innings or (1) hour, whichever occurs first (includes optional 5 min. warm-up/grace period). When the time ends, the final score will revert back to the end of the last completed inning.  No games will go past the scheduled end time.  No inning will begin with less than 10 minutes remaining.

2. Run Ahead Rule: If a team is leading by 20 or more runs after the 3^rd inning, 15 after the 4^th inning, or 10 after the 5^th inning, the game will be called.

3. In the event of a tie score at the end of seven (7) innings or at the end of the last completed inning during a regular season game the result shall be a tie.

4. The Coordinator has sole authority for calling a game at any time due to inclement weather, darkness or other conditions felt justifiable. The score will revert back to the last completed inning, or last 1/2 inning if the home team is ahead.

5. A game will be considered complete after 4 innings of play, or 3 1/2 if the home team is ahead or if the time limit is exceeded. Games that are not considered regulation will be made up in their entirety.

Batting

1. A player will begin each turn at bat with one (1) ball and one (1) strike. Foul balls count as strikes, including the third strike.

2. No bunting or chopping the ball is allowed. Penalty: Automatic out. Runners may not advance.

3. Teams are limited to scoring a maximum of ten (10) runs per inning. Unlimited runs may be scored in the final inning.

4. In Coed Softball Leagues - If a male is walked and a female follows him in the batting order, the female has the choice to take a walk or bat AT ANY TIME.

5. All players in the field must be listed in the batting order.  There are no designated hitters allowed.  Teams are allowed to bat a maximum of 12 batters.  (In Coed leagues, 7 males can only bat if there are at least 5 females batting. There must be at least 4 different females, in which case 1 female has to bat twice in the line-up.)

6. There is no restriction to the order of males/females in the lineup. There are restrictions to the RATIO of males/females in the lineup (see "Starting the Game" above).

7. Home Run Rule: The amount of home runs allowed varies by league. After the limit has been reached, each home run will result in an out, runners cannot advance and the run will not count.

        A. Coed & Men's "A" Leagues will be allowed 4 Home Runs per game.

        B. Coed & Men's "B" Leagues will be allowed 3 Home Runs per game.

        C. Coed & Men's "C" Leagues will be allowed 2 Home Runs per game.
        D. Coed & Men's "D" Leagues will be allowed 1 Home Run per game.

Pitching Regulations

1. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher's plate until the pitched ball leaves the hand. The pitcher may take only one step before releasing the ball.

2. 2010 RULE CHANGE: The ball must be delivered with an arc and reach a minimum height of at least six (6) feet from the ground, while not exceeding a maximum height of ten (10) feet.

3. Any ball landing on any part of home plate will be a ball.

4. The strike zone is over any part of home plate between the batter’s back shoulder and front knee, as if he/she were standing at the plate.

Base Running

1. If an overthrow goes out of play or is interfered with by a spectator, coach, opposing team player or equipment, the base runners are awarded the base they were heading toward at the time the ball went out of play or was interfered with, plus one additional base.

2. Malicious contact by a base runner with a fielder will result in an out and an automatic ejection.

3. Interference may be called on a runner who approaches a base with hands raised in an attempt to disrupt the flight of the ball. The batter may be ruled out at the umpire's discretion.

4. Pinch-runners may only be used for injured players or those with hindering conditions. Captains must identify those players to the umpire in the pre-game conference. Players injured during the game will be allowed a pinch-runner. It is the umpire's discretion of whether a player is deserving of a pinch-runner. The umpire's decision shall be final.

5. For leagues that allow stealing, Sports Connection will follow ASA rules. Runners can advance once the pitched ball reaches the front edge of home plate. If the ball either hits the plate or touches the ground prior to reaching the front edge of home plate, the ball is dead and runners may not advance. The ball is also dead when the pitched ball hits the batter. With a legal pitch, the ball remains live until the pitcher has possession of the ball in the infield and the completion of all immediate play is apparent. If the opposing team feels the runner left early; time may be called and an appeal made to the umpire. A runner will be called out for leading.
6. The ball is live and players may advance when:

        A. A play is made on the runner.

        B. The pitcher fails to catch the ball.

        C. The catcher hits the batter on a throw to the pitcher or to a base during a play.

Defensive Players

1. All outfielders must remain in the grass.  There cannot be more than 6 players in the infield before the batter contacts the ball.  Once contact has been made, the outfielders may cross the line.  If an outfielder crosses the line before contact has been made, the batter will be awarded first base.

Substitutions

1. Substitutions may be made at any time with prior notification to the umpire.

2. If a "starter" leaves the game in favor of a substitute, that player may re-enter the game once, but only in the same batting position.

3. If a "substitute" leaves the game, that player may not re-enter the game.

4. A starter and their designated substitute shall never be in the game at the same time.

5. When a team starts with less than 10 players, any late players may be added to the end of the batting order at the time of their arrival (NO PENALTY ASSESSED).
6. A team starting with exactly 10 players may NOT add players to the bottom of the lineup. Additional players must substitute in/out.

7. Teams batting 12 players can substitute freely in the field, but must maintain the original batting order.

Definitions

1. Infield Fly Rule: Any fair fly ball, not including a line drive, which can easily be fielded or caught by an infielder when 1^st and 2nd, or 1st, 2nd and 3rd bases are occupied, with less than two outs. The infield fly rule may extend into the grass of the outfield. The batter is out and runners may advance at their own discretion, with liability of being put out.

2. Foul Tip: A batted ball that goes sharply and directly from the bat to the catcher's hands/glove/mitt. The result is a called strike and a dead ball. If there is any upward arc of the ball and it is caught, the batter is out.

3. Obstruction: When a fielder obstructs the base runner from making a base unless the fielder is trying to field a batted ball or has the ball in possession and is ready to tag the base runner. The ball is a delayed dead ball and all runners shall be awarded the bases they would have reached if the obstruction had not occurred.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

1. Any individual who by his/her misconduct (profanity, gestures, physical or verbal abuse toward officials, players, etc.) causes himself/herself to be removed from a contest is automatically ineligible to participate for the remainder of that contest and any other games that day. That person may also be disqualified for future contests.

2. Any arguing on the judgment of balls and strikes will constitute a team warning. Any repeat offenses shall result in the ejection of that team member. Judgment calls made by the umpire shall NOT be contested. A formal protest can be made at any time by letting the umpire and the league coordinator aware of the situation.  After the protest is filed, the game will continue as scheduled.  If the protest is not filed until the conclusion of the game, the final score of that game will be official and will not change.  The Sports Connection will review the protest and make a ruling before the next week’s game. Ineligible players on rosters can be protested at any time, however.

WOMEN'S SLOW-PITCH LEAGUE ADDITIONAL RULES:

The Women's Softball League will follow the aforementioned rules, except for the following:

1. The Women will play 9v9.

2. Teams may bat up to 11 players and are free to sub the 10th and 11th player in/out of the field. The batting lineup cannot be altered once the game has begun.

3. Seven (7) players are required to begin a game.

4. Women will play with an 11-inch .44 COR, 375 COMP ball. Each ball MUST have size, core, composition and ASA logo stamped on it. Each team must present their game ball to the umpire prior to the start and during the game.

WOMEN'S FAST-PITCH LEAGUE ADDITIONAL RULES:

Check back soon!

The Sports Connection coordinator and umpire have the right to spot check rosters at any time. 
Players must have a valid Sports Connection Player's Card and a signed waiver before stepping on the field of play.

Additional rules and policies may be added or amended by Sports Connection before or during the season.