NORTH COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL RECREATIONAL LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES 

Introduction.  The North County Senior Softball Recreational League rules are based on Amateur Softball Association (ASA) rules except for the following rules that have been adopted by our league.  The League’s commissioners, managers and Rules Committee shall periodically review these rules to ensure fair play and the safety of our players.  Changes/additions may be presented to the Commissioners for the Rules Committee review.

Section I  Definitions

1.1               Substitute/Courtesy  Runners.  The term “substitute runner” identifies those runners used for batters needing runners from home.  The term “courtesy runner” identifies those runners who relieve a batter once they have tagged the base.

1.2               Legal catch.  When a hit/thrown ball is near the ground, all fielders in making a catch or taking a throw at a base shall have their glove “under” the ball or it will be considered a “trap” and no out shall be recorded.  

1.3               Deflections.  If a fielder’s glove or body deflects an in-flight ball over an outfield fence in fair territory, it shall be considered a home run.

Section 2  Field

2.1          Playing fields.  See Figure 1 for details.

2.2          Bases.  There are two auxiliary bases/plates in this league to ensure safety of the runner.  The home plate consists of a plate and an extension pad; measures (24” x 36”).  Adjacent to the home plate, is the auxiliary home plate. This is known as the scoring pad.   Adjacent to 1^st base there is an alternate base.  See Figure 1 for details.

Section 3  Equipment.

3.1          Bats.  All bats shall be ASA approved.  All bats are required to be in good condition; no cracks or alterations.  Players who are 80 years of age and older and women, may use any bat they choose. Note: 80 year olds qualify the year of the 80^th birthday.

3.2          Balls.  The home team shall provide a new regulation softball at the start of each game and a back-up ball. The leagues uses yellow-optic, 12” ball with a 44 compression rating.

3.3          Shoes.  Per ASA rules, no metal cleats are allowed.

Section 4  Players/Substitutes

4.1          Prior to the game.  Managers and umpires will exchange batter line ups, identify batters who need runners from home, suspend any rules (if agreed upon), identify players leaving early, and agree to provide knowledgeable umpires.  Managers shall identify missing players and applicable replacements.  This will ensure that substitute players are rated equal to or lower than the missing player. Please note managers batter line-up cards shall list players by last names .

 4.2         Minimal Play Time. All players shall be guaranteed to play four (4) defensive innings and bat throughout the game.

4.3          Minimum Numbers of Players.  A minimum of eight (8) rostered players are required for a sanctioned game.  Less than eight (8) players shall result in a forfeit.   If both teams have less than 8 players, the game will be postponed.  Commissioners will determine if a make-up game is necessary.

4.4          Maximum Number of Players.  Maximum number of defensive players is 12.  Infield players consist of 5 plus pitcher and catcher. 

4.5          Substitute/Loaning of  Game Day Players.    Teams shall strive to play with the same number of players.  A team with more players MAY offer to loan player(s).  The receiving team may refuse to accept player(s). 

4.6          Use of Bye Team Players.  Teams using Bye players as substitutes must use players rated equal or below the missing player.  A maximum of three (3) Bye Players may be used. Managers shall inform the opposing manager which player is being replaced and the corresponding Bye player prior to the game.

# of Players                      May Borrow                        Total Players

                7                                              0                                 Forefeit

                8                                              3                                 11

                9                                              2                                 11

               10                                             1                                 11

4.7          Players leaving the game.    The manager must notify the opposing team prior to the beginning of the game if a player needs to leave the game prior to completion.  Otherwise an out will be recorded each time the absent player’s comes to bat.

4.7.1      During the game.  If a player becomes ill, injured or bleeding during the game, or receives an emergency phone call, he may leave without penalty.  If he recovers or stops bleeding, he may return to the game.  Opposing managers must be notified of the exit or re-entry. No out shall be recorded if the removed player’s time to bat comes up while he is not in the game.  When an injury occurs during play, it is the responsibility of the home plate umpire to call time out when the play has ended.

Section 5   Game.

5.1          Field condition.  League-wide cancellations for games can only be authorized by Commissioners. Game-time cancellations will be determined by the home field manager.  After the first pitch, the home field manager will be responsible for terminating the game due to weather or field conditions. 

5.2          Legal game.  A regulation game consist of nine (9) complete innings, except for (1) shorten due to inclement weather or (2) managers determine to play only seven (7) innings before the game.  If for any reason, one team refuses to start/finish a game, the game will be forfeited to the opposing team.

5.2.1      If a game is called with fewer than five (5) innings, the game will be rescheduled and played from the point of suspension. At the Commissioners’ discretion, they will determine if a game needs to be replayed.

5.3          5-Run Limit rule.  A team may score up to five runs each inning.  If a team is behind more than five (5) runs, they may exceed 5 runs until the score is tied. There is no limit to the number of runs a team may score in the 9^th inning or extra innings.

5.4          Force outs.  All plays at any base are “force outs”.  Players may be tagged out except at home plate.  With the exception of 1^st base, runners may not overrun bases.  When an overrun occurs and the baseman has the ball, touches the base, an out will be called.

5.5          Infield hits.   When a ball is hit to the infield, runners shall run to the alternate 1^st base.  Should the runner touch the incorrect base, any defensive player may appeal to the umpire for a call.

5.6          Fielders.  Outfielders shall not position themselves or cross to the infield dirt until the ball is hit by the batter.  At no time shall more than five (5) infielders, excluding the pitcher or catcher, be positioned on the infield.  All players must be in fair territory for play to commence, except for catcher.

5.7          Tag at home.   Base runners may be tagged out by defensive player between 3^rd and home before crossing the commitment line.  Once the base runner has crossed the commitment line they CANNOT be tagged out.  Subsequently, all defensive players must touch the home plate (includes extension plate).

5.8          Interference, collisions, blocking.   Please see ASA Rule 5 for details.

5.9          Infield fly rule.  This rule is not in effect in this league.

5.10        Sliding.  No sliding rule is in effect.

Section 6   Pitching.

6.1          A legal pitch must be within an in-flight arc between 6 feet and 12 feet.   A “low” or “high” pitch must be called while the ball is in flight. If an umpire calls a pitch too high or low, the batter may choose to swing at the ball.  Per ASA pitchers can stand no more than 6 feet behind the pitching plate.

Section 7   Batting.

7.1          A batted ball which strikes a foul pole is always considered a fair ball and, if above the level of the outfield fence, it is a home run – no matter where deflected.

Section 8  Batters/Runners.

8.1          Running to correct bases. 

                 a.  Home plate – Runners must run to the scoring pad.  Runners touching home plate or running through the batter’s box while the play is alive will be called out.

                 b.  1^st base – runners must run to the alternate 1^st base when a ball is batted to the infield.  Runners touching the wrong bag results in an out only when a defensive player   makes an appeal.

8.2          Reverse directions.  Runners going between 1^st and 2^nd, or 2^nd and 3^rd, may reverse direction only once in moving from one base to another if a play is being made on that runner.  A runner from 3^rd base who crosses the “commitment line” must continue to the scoring pad and may NOT return to 3^rd base.  A violation of this rule results in a player being called out.

8.3          Substitute runners and runners from home players.

8.3.1       Identify runners from home.  Managers shall identify no more than two batters who need a runner from home.  The manager shall identify those players to the opposing manager at the beginning of the game.

8.3.2       Limited running.  A substitute runner from home shall NOT advance past 1^st base.  If a substitute runner rounds 1^st toward 2^nd base, he can be thrown out.  If a runner advances to 2^nd base without touching the base, the runner may return to 1^st base safely before the throw.  If a runner touches the 2^nd base, he will be called out. 

8.3.3       Runner from home for batters.  If the batter hits the ball and the substitute runner has already crossed the line, the batter is out.  If the batter swings and does not make contact and the substitute runner crossed the line, there is no penalty.

8.3.4       Batters’ interference.   When a batter interferes with a play, the batter is called out.  This includes batters with runners from home.

8.3.5       Courtesy runners. An individual may only be a courtesy runner once per inning unless agreed upon otherwise by the managers. 

8.4          Runner collisions.  Runners must avoid collisions by running around a fielder who is making a play.  Since the play is in front of the runner and can be seen more readily by the runner, runners must make every effort to avoid collisions.  All interferences are ruled outs.

Section 9  Protests.

9.1          Protest Procedures.  A protested game must be completed.  Protests must be based on a rule infraction not on an umpire’s judgment/call.  A valid protest will be made to the opposing manager at the end of the inning, or before the first pitch of the next half of the inning.  The manager making the protest shall have one of his players witness the protest to the opposing manager.  The protesting manager shall submit their protest to the Commissioners in writing within 24 hours along with a $10 fee. 

9.2          Incidents.  All incidents involving forfeits or other game terminations shall be reported immediately to the Commissioners for further action.

Section 10  Umpires.

10.1         Umpire assignments.  If an official umpire is not used, a volunteer umpire/s may officiate the game or bases.  The 1^st base coach shall call the plays at 1^st base; 3^rd base coach shall make calls for 2^nd and 3^rd base.  With the consent of both umpires, the home plate umpire may call the game alone, if no other umpires are available. 

10.2         Game termination.   Once the game has begun, the home field manager shall be responsible for terminating the game for whatever reason.  Commissioners shall determine if the game needs to be rescheduled.

10.3         Doubtful calls.  When a base umpire makes a questionable call, the base umpire may appeal to the home plate umpire for a final decision.  In addition, only a manager may appeal to the home plate umpire for a final decision.

Section 11.  Scoring.

11.1         Scorebook.  Home team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook.  Recommend both teams to keep their individual scorebooks in case of disagreement. 

Section 12.  Jack Estes tournament

12.1         Players/substitutes.  All teams will play with only their own rostered players.

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