PLAYERS
AGE REQUIREMENT
All players must be 21 years old or over to be on a roster. The only exception is if a player 18 or over has a parent (or an aunt or uncle) also playing on the same team’s roster. This privilege will be revoked if the underage player is seen drinking alcohol.
NOTE: The consumption of drugs and/or alcohol is not permitted on the field at any time.
ADDITION OF PLAYER(S)
A team may add a player or players to the lineup up until the first pitch of the 2nd Inning. The added player(s) must be listed last in the batting order. The manager must inform the Ump and opposing team of any player addition. If a team has added a player to the lineup who is absent at game time, an out will be recorded when that player’s spot comes up in the batting order, unless a substitute player is available.
SUBSTITUTION OF PLAYER(S)
At any time during the game, a substitute may replace a player who is in the team’s lineup. (A sub is a player who is on the team’s roster but not listed as a starting player in the lineup). A starting player may re-enter once, but in the same lineup spot only. The manager must inform the Ump and opposing team of every substitution.
NOTE: Any player (man, woman or non-binary) may sub for another player regardless of gender as long as minimums (3 males or 3 females, as outlined below) are met.
ON THE FIELD
TEAM MAKEUP/GAME START/FORFEIT
A full team consists of 10 players on the field. A minimum of 3 males and 3 females and maximum of 7 males or 7 females. There are no required minimums for nonbinary players. If a team does not have 9 players, including at least 2 female players at the scheduled start of a game, the team will have a 10 minute grace period to fill their lineup. After the grace period, if a team cannot field 9 players, they will forfeit the game. If a double header, the forfeiting team will have 20 minutes to produce a full lineup before the second game is forfeit. This can be handled with an agreement with captains to wait until the actual start time of the second game.
The maximum number of batters in a batting lineup is 16
SHORTHANDED RULE
Per the ASA (now known as USA) “shorthanded rule,” a game may begin or finish with one fewer player than required to start. The vacant position must be listed last in the batting order. An out will be recorded when the vacant position in the batting order is scheduled to bat.
NOTE: In a shorthanded game with 9 fielders (either only 2 women or 2 men), a team may bat no more than 11 players. If a substitute arrives, they must be inserted immediately into the vacant spot, as long as your lineup meets the minimum gender requirements.
PLAYFIELD BOUNDARIES
Foul lines are the lines from Home Plate to the outer edges of 1B and 3B and beyond. The Out of Play area consists of the fence lines, extended from the backstop fence.
Except for fielders, an on-deck batter, and a base coach at 1B and 3B, all players should be behind the fence lines. If anyone but a fielder touches a ball that is in play, it is ruled interference, the ball is dead, and the Ump shall award a base to the runner(s) or call a runner out.
CATCH AND CARRY
If a defensive player catches a fly ball in play and their momentum carries them out of play, it is a legal catch. On base runners advance one base, and the play is automatically dead.
TIME LIMIT
In a 7 Inning game, unless the game is tied, no new inning may start after 1 hour and 15 minutes. In the event of a tie; at the 8th inning, the offensive team will begin its at bat with a player on 2nd base. When 1 hour and 30 minutes has elapsed and home team has had a chance to bat, if still tied then the game will be called as a Tie.
‘SKUNK’ (OR RUN-AHEAD) RULE
After 4½ innings, if a team is up by 15 or more runs the game must be called. If the home team is behind, that team must get a chance to bat before the game can be called.
LEGAL PITCH
A pitch must be delivered with perceptible arc and be between 6’ and 10’ from the ground to be a legal pitch. If it is not, the Ump must call out, “Flat” or “Illegal,” and the pitch is to be ruled a ball. However, the batter may swing at their own peril. If the batter does so, the pitch is to be considered a legal pitch.
NOTE: For safety, a pitcher should consider starting from the farthest rubber or plate available.
BUNTING/STEPPING OUT OF THE BOX
- Bunting or chopping a pitch during an at-bat will result in a dead-ball out.
- A batter shall be called out if their foot touches or crosses Home Plate at the time that the ball makes contact with the bat if it is a fair ball.
INFIELD-FLY RULE
If there is 0 or 1 out, and there are runners on 1B and 2B, or on 1B, 2B, and 3B, in field fly rule is in effect. When the rule is in effect, if a fair/fly ball is in play, and in the umpire’s judgment is catchable by an infielder with ordinary effort, the umpire shall call “infield fly” (or more often, “infield fly, batter’s out.” The batter will be out regardless of whether or not the ball is caught. Base runner may advance; if the ball is caught by a defensive player, it is treated as a catch and runners must tag up. If the ball is not caught and lands on the ground, runners are not required to tag up prior to advancing.
INJURY RUNNER
If a player is able to bat but deemed unable to either play defense or run because of injury, when that player has reached 1B safely, their team may use the player who made the last out as a runner. The injured runner must stop at 1B. At the end of the play, the last out will take place of the injured batter and run the rest of the bases in their place.
Use for “injury runner” is to be announced at the beginning of the game. If the player is injured during the game, this will be announced before the players next at bat.
Once in effect – the use of “injured runner” will remain the duration of the game.
NON–INJURY (‘COURTESY’) RUNNER
A team may have one non–injury pinch runner per game. That “courtesy” pinch runner may be any player who is in the batting order for that game.
TAGGING UP
Per the ASA (Now USA) “catch rule,” runners may leave their bases the instant that the first fielder touches the ball.
NOTE: After the ball is returned to the infield and time is called, any coach or infielder—with or without possession of the ball—may make a verbal appeal on a runner missing a base or leaving too soon on a caught fly ball.
HOMERUN PROGRESSIVE RULE
Each team is allowed 3 over the fence home runs per game. Once both teams have obtained 3 over the fence home runs, no opponent shall be more than 1 home run greater than their opponent. An out will be called for any excessive over the fence home run.
WALK RULE
In the case of a walk of a male batter to a female batter; if 4 consecutive balls are pitched, the male batter advances to second base. The female at bat has the option to hit or take a walk. If the batter steps into the batters box, they must attempt an at bat.
SAFETY
NO-CONTACT RULE
- At no time may a defensive player block Home Plate or any base from a runner—or the base path of a runner—unless the defensive player is attempting to put out the runner or if catching the ball draws the defensive player into the line. Even then, the defensive player shall make every possible effort to avoid a collision with the runner, and vice versa.
- At no time may a runner block the throwing path of a defensive player.
- When (1) happens, the runner shall be called safe.
- When (2) happens, the runner shall be called out. EXAMPLE: on a double play, an infielder has gotten a force out at 2B and attempts to throw to 1B. If the runner blocks the throwing path or takes out the defensive player, the runner who is going to 1B will also be called out.
- During a close play at any base or Home Plate, in addition to the defensive player not blocking the base or plate, the runner must get down or out of the way (to be determined by the Ump).
NOTE: Deking—faking a play to trick a runner, especially to force a slide—is illegal and can result in ejection.
FIRST AID
In addition to an updated ICE (In Case of Emergency) sheet, all teams should carry a first-aid kit. Per the ASA (USA) “blood rule,” at no time may a bleeding player be on the field. Players who are sick with something contagious shouldn’t come to the park.
NOTE: A player who has left the game under the blood rule may return, even after missing an at-bat.
EQUIPMENT
SOFTBALLS
The home team must provide one new 12” ball per game. Each ball must be at the specifications of .52 COR/300 lbs. and must be an optic-yellow ball; lace color is red and not raised.
BATS
All bats used must be stamped with the ASA or USA stamp. If a batter steps into the batters box with an illegal bat, the batter will be called out.
SPORTSMANSHIP
EJECTIONS
An Ump must eject a player where rules call for it, at the Ump’s own discretion. In most cases, the player will have received a warning. Excessive arguing, especially negatively, may result in ejection. A player who threatens anyone with a piece of equipment will be kicked out of the league. If play has started and a player has been ejected for any reason, the ejected player must leave the premises, and that player’s spot in the lineup is an automatic out for the rest of the game when it is their turn at bat. No substitution is allowed for a player who has been ejected.
WORKING IT OUT
During a game as a captain, player or umpire there is a question about a call or play, the captain will communicate with the umpire and opposing captain in the moment. At no time during a game will the captain, player or umpire raise their voice at one another (see ejections), this can result in captain/player removal from the game.
PACK IT IN/PACK IT OUT
You are responsible for taking all garbage and recycling with you when cans are not provided.
Georgetown Softball League 