The current edition of the Amateur Softball Association
(ASA) rules shall serve as our guideline.
The modifications listed and
good judgment of coaches in the spirit of cooperation and sportsmanship
are important to facilitate game play in a fair, fun and healthy
environment.
Field
dimensions: bases are 55 feet apart and the front of the pitching rubber
is 35 feet from the back of home plate.
Length of games:
Six innings is a regular game.
Umpire may stop game if he feels it will be too dark to complete a
full inning. Four innings will
be considered a full game in the event of inclement weather or darkness (31/2
innings if home team is leading).
There is a time limit of two (2) hours to complete a game.
A new inning should not start after one hour and 45 minutes from
start of game. Coaches are
encouraged to “hustle” the kids up between innings and to plan their lineups
in advance. Catchers should be
dressed in equipment before the completion of the inning in which they are
batting.
Batting procedure: All players bat in a continuous rotation
throughout the game. If
player arrives after the game has started, she should be inserted at
the bottom of the lineup when she arrives and take her turn at bat when her
position in the order when it comes up.
Batting orders should be exchanged prior to the start of the game and
late arrivals must be shared with other team’s coach.
An inning will be complete when three (3) outs are recorded or after
four (4) runs have been scored.
In playoff games, the sixth and final inning
will not have a four run maximum.
Fielding/Defense: Ten fielders shall be used at one time.
Four fielders must be in the outfield (at least 15 feet behind 2nd
base and the baselines). All
players must play at least three (3) innings defensively in any game.
Baserunning: Leads are permitted after the ball has left the
pitcher’s hand. Steals are not
permitted. Base runners must
slide or surrender at base at which there is a play.
The defensive team may attempt to record an out against a base
runner. The base runner
cannot attempt to advance a base
if an attempt by the defensive team is made.
Minimum number of players and substitution: An official game cannot
start if a team has less than eight (8) players.
Game start time can be delayed ten (10) minutes.
If both teams do not have eight (8) players after a 10 minute wait,
the game is declared a forfeit to the team with at least eight (8) players.
The league commissioner encourages the teams to play in any case with
teams sharing players. The
umpire is paid in full and is encouraged, but not required to stay and
umpire the game. There is free
substitution during the course of the game.
Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers with two outs are allowed
but are not mandatory.
Pitching: Pitchers must begin
their wind up with both feet in contact with the pitching rubber and must
have at least one foot in contact with the pitching rubber when the ball is
delivered to the plate. Pitchers
are restricted to a maximum of three (3) innings per game.
One pitch in an inning is considered an inning.
Conclusion of a “live” play: Ball is dead and play stops when ball
is returned to pitcher while pitcher is in the pitching circle (8’ radius
from front edge of pitching rubber).
Base runners who are still in motion must return to previous base if
less than halfway.
Uniforms: A complete uniform shall be considered the
Umpires: Professional umpires will be provided for all games. It is the home team’s responsibility to pay the umpire ($35) before the game starts while reviewing ground rules and our rules modifications.
Once the game has started, the umpire will be in
complete control of the game.
Judgment calls MUST NOT be argued.
Rule interpretations and our playing modifications can be discussed
with the umpire and BOTH coaches with the final decision belonging to the
umpire.
Protest: Coaches may protest a rule interpretation by the umpire.
You must inform the umpire and opposing coach before the next pitch.
The umpire should sign your scorebook indicating that the game is
being continued under protest.
The game situation should be described in the scorebook.
The protest shall be presented to the league commissioner within 24
hours. The commissioner’s
decision will be final.
Book signing: The winning team’s scorebook should be signed by the
umpire at the conclusion of the game.
Behavior: Coaches shall take responsibility for the behavior of all
player’s and parents. Any
serious situation should be reported immediately to the league commissioner.
Game results: The winning coach should report the final score to the
league commissioner and to the
Rain:
Once a game has begun, the umpire will make the determination about the
continuation of the game.
Thunder and Lightning:
The game will be stopped immediately with the first sound of thunder or the
first flash of lightning. There will be no counting of seconds between
flashes of lightning or waiting 15 minutes for the skies to clear. The game
will be ended immediately and everyone will be instructed to evacuate the
area, seek indoor shelter, and ideally leave for home. No ambiguity – leave
immediately.