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Revised April 2016
Governing Policies of the Mountainside Softball Association - Senior Division
Game time: 6:45pm (or as otherwise noted on schedule)
1. All games will be played on the Deerfield School softball fields and opposing town fields, as noted on schedule. All team members are encouraged to be at the field 30 minutes prior to game time, if possible (ex. Players from middle school team arriving late due to away games). All games will start at 6:30pm or according to time on schedule. The ump should use discretion if there has been communication regarding middle school team players arriving late. Teams must either start using available players or forfeit. Forfeit time is 15 minutes after game time. After that time the teams are permitted to borrow players and play the game for fun. Players may be borrowed prior to game without forfeit, if coach is aware of shortage. Umpire should stay since we have paid him.
2. Players must be in uniform (team t-shirt required, visor optional, softball pants), unless coming from a middle school game, due to time restraints. All-purpose softball/baseball shoes (no metal cleats) are recommended. Sneakers/athletic shoes/or other tied /Velcro shoes appropriate for active play may also be worn. Players will not be allowed to play without proper shoes.
3. No hoop or dangly earrings, bracelets, wristwatches or long necklaces permitted. Long hair should be tied back.
4. Players are not allowed to wander off even though they are not playing. Players are expected to stay until the end of the game.
5. Absence: A player may be dropped from a team if she misses 3 games or practices without justification. A player should call her Head Coach if she is going to miss practice or a game.
6. Home team is responsible for getting out equipment and setting up the field prior to game, including raking and lining fields and returning all equipment. In addition, Home team will run the scoreboard.
7. No gum chewing.
8. Under state law, players must wear protective eyewear during this activity if the normally wear corrective eyeglasses.
9. Only team members and coaches are allowed in the dugout. Only certified coaches are allowed on the field with the players, and in dugout.
SOFTBALL RULES TO REMEMBER
A. Definitions
1. Strike zone: When a batter assumes a natural batting stance adjacent to home plate, the strike zone is that space over any part of home plate between the batter’s back shoulder and front knee.
2. Catch: When the fielder catches a batted or thrown ball with her hands or glove.
3. Batted Ball: Any ball that hits the bat - no intention to hit the ball is necessary.
4. Foul Ball: Any ball that settles on foul territory; that initially falls on foul territory beyond first or third base; or that is touched while on foul territory.
5. Fair Ball: Any ball that is not foul. All bases and home plate are in fair territory.
6. Bunting and Sliding: is allowed and encouraged. Head first sliding is not permitted going to a base.
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B. Players and Substitutes
1. A team shall consist of 10 players, although teams may play with less than 10 (minimum of 7). 10th player must play in the outfield grass.
2. Substituting: Notify both scorekeepers. Each team member present must play 3 innings per game in the field. Any child who does not arrive at the field prior to the start of the game will be allowed to play at the Head Coach’s discretion.
3. The team at bat is allowed one coach at 1st base and one at 3rd base.
4. Roster batting is permitted, but not required. Once the game has started, the decision made at the beginning can not be changed.
5. If a player is injured during her at-bat and cannot continue, the next player in the line-up will take her place. The batter who is substituted in will assume the count of the injured batter.
C. The Game
The game consists of 7 innings or two hours, whichever comes first. If the game is called because of rain or darkness, the score will revert to the last completed inning. Five innings will then be considered an official game (4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead). If the game is suspended before 4 ½ innings, the game will resume at the point of suspension.
*10 run rule: A run-ahead rule will be used after 5 innings. If one team is ahead by 10 or more runs at the end of the 5th inning, the rest of the game will not be played. Complete innings must be played unless the home team scores the run-ahead limit while at bat. Whenever a run-ahead limit is reached by the visiting team, the home team must have its opportunity to bat in the bottom half of the inning.
D. Pitching Regulations
1. a. The ball will be pitched underhand. The pitcher must take position with both feet in contact with the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher’s pivot foot must be in contact with the pitcher’s plate throughout the delivery, until the ball leaves the hand.
b. The pitcher must not use a delivery in which there is a stop or reversal of the pitching motion.
2. The pitcher’s rubber will be 40 feet from home plate.
3. A pitcher may be moved to another position on the field, and then returned to the pitching position.
4. A pitcher who pitches three consecutive innings must be removed from the position for at least one (1) inning before she can return to the position for three more.
5. Windmill and slingshot is permitted.
6. The Senior Division will play with a 12-inch softball.
E. Batting
1. Official ASA softball bats only. No Little League bats, etc.
2. A batter, if hit by a batted ball before it passes a fielder, is OUT. If the batter is still in the batter’s box, a strike is called (foul ball).
3. The infield fly rule will be used.
4. A foul tip (ball off bat going straight back to the catcher) on the 3rd strike, if caught by the catcher, is OUT. A foul fly (ball off bat going over the batter’s head) on any strike, if caught is OUT.
5. Each batter is allowed 3 strikes before being called out. Dropped third strike rule is in effect.
6. If a pitcher hits three batters during a game, she must be removed from the mound but may continue to play in another position. A batter must make an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch.
7. INTENTIONAL WALK: The pitcher shall notify the plate umpire and the batter will be awarded 1st base. No pitches are thrown.
8. NO THROWING OF THE BAT OR HELMET. Batter will be warned the first time, as well as entire team. Batter will be called out the second time. Batter will be removed from the game the third time.
9. No CURSING.
F. Base Running
1. A base runner hit by a batted ball before it passes a fielder, is OUT.
2. Any ball that hits an umpire in fair territory is in play. Batter and base runners are liable to be put out.
3. When a runner is between bases and the ball (held by any player) is within the 8 foot radius of the pitcher’s mound (which may be marked with a white circle), the runner must IMMEDIATELY either return to the base from which she came, or attempt to advance to the next base. Failure to retreat or advance will result in the runner being called out. (Look back rule!)
4. Overthrow into foul territory: Runner may advance one base at the risk of being thrown out.
Overthrow into fair territory: Runner may advance as far as possible at the risk of being thrown out.
NOTE: The ball is dead if it is out of bounds. In this case, the runner may advance one base and cannot be thrown out. The umpire will indicate that the ball is dead.
5. Slide or surrender in effect.
6. All players at bat and on the bases must wear helmets with guards and chin straps.
7. Leading is permitted. A base-runner may take a lead after the ball has left the pitcher's hand. In the event of a hit, the base-runner may advance to the next base. In the event no contact is made, the base-runner must return to the base when the ball is returned to the pitcher in the circle.
8. Stealing is permitted, however, a team may steal a maximum of four bases in an inning. This includes bases taken on passed balls and wild pitches to the catcher.
G. Other
1. Umpires may suspend play when, in their judgment, conditions justify such action.
THE UMPIRE’S DECISION IS FINAL!
Rule Modifications
*10 run rule:
A modification was made to allow the game to continue after the 10 run rule has applied, if both coaches wish to do so.
Pitching:
Pitcher can pitch up to three (3) innings before she has to leave for at least one inning, before she can pitch 3 more innings. Pitcher can then re-enter the game. During that one inning, she can play any other position on the field.
Windmill and slingshot are permitted. We recommend that the windmill pitcher (if applicable) be utilized as much as possible to keep the game going. This is not mandatory though.
Stealing:
A maximum of 4 steals are permitted per inning, this includes passed balls and wild pitches to the catcher. It is the responsibility of the opposing coaches to keep track of the steals, not the umpires.
Substitute Players:
Players from other teams may be used to fill open positions on another team to help prevent forfeits. Please advise the umpire and opposing coach of such substitute.
