Official Rules and Standards for the Charlotte County

Men’s 55+ Morning Softball League

Fall 2025

LEAGUE MISSION and STANDARDS

The Charlotte County Men’s 55+ Morning Softball League was established for the recreational enjoyment of senior adults who love the game of softball. There are no Trophies or Cash Prizes awarded.  We focus on keeping our costs low so that we can attract players and expand our league.  We value the experiences and memories of the games, as well as the camaraderie and good fellowship with friends. We look forward to each and every new season and welcome the opportunity to meet new players and hone our skills.

This is YOUR league.  We value your help, ideas and input. Get involved!  Assist your team’s managers, proudly wear your team shirts in public to help increase awareness of our league.

Always be recruiting new players.  Ask friends, neighbors, clients, co-workers to join our League.

We have a great league.  Men’s senior softball is one of the BEST Outdoor Activities in Charlotte County.

The Commissioners

LEAGUE RULES

1.     Code of Ethics: We prioritize player health, safety, sportsmanship and a sense of fair play.  Because we umpire our own games, we continuously look to reduce/eliminate Umpire judgement calls in those situations that historically result in controversial calls and disputes.  We also explain the rules to provide clarity and understanding and to avoid misinterpretation and unnecessary arguments.  To accomplish our goals goal, the League uses USA Softball Rules, USA Senior Softball Rules, and FHC/ASA Softball Rules as GUIDELINES.  They have been modified to accommodate the needs of our league and participants.   All participants are required to know and follow the rules.  Managers are expected inform their players of these rules and to enforce them.

a.     Conduct themselves in a SPORTSMANLIKE manner on and off the field when interacting with other players and managers.

b.     Refrain from taunting or degrading any other player, or directing foul, abusive or profane language at opponents, officials or others.  Use of profanity towards others is discouraged, as well as use of the “F Bomb”.  Violations will result in a warning for the first offense and ejection from that game for a second infraction.  Continued infractions could result in a suspension.

c.      FIGHTING on the field, as well as before or after a game within the Carmalita Complex will result in a one (1) year suspension from the date of the occurrence.

d.     NO ALCOHOL or SMOKING in the dugouts or near the dugouts during practices, warmups and games.  Smokers are asked to smoke “downwind” from their dugout area.  Please give consideration to players with respiratory issues.  Any violations will result in:

·     A warning for the first offense.

·     A one game suspension for a second offense.

·     A suspension for the remainder of the season for the third offense.

e.     Excessive drinking BEFORE a game and/or drinking DURING a game will result in removal from that game plus a one (1) game suspension from the next scheduled game.

f.       All players are to help in the recovery of home run or foul balls.

g.     Each team is responsible for keeping their gates closed, if applicable, and the bats out of the field of play.  Advantage to opposing team only.

h.     Unless someone else volunteers to umpire, the team at-bat shall provide an Umpire at home plate.  They shall also provide a base umpire if their roster allows for it.

i.       Umpire Authority/Disputed Calls:  ONLY a Manager is allowed to talk to the umpire to question a call or an interpretation of the rules. The umpire will have the FINAL say on any call, with exceptions noted below. 

·       Please respect the players who volunteer to umpire by not arguing with them.  Any misconduct on the part of any player is subject to review by the League and the imposition of sanctions, from a warning up to, and including, a lifetime ban. 

·        Fielders and players in the dugouts are cautioned NOT to call a play until after the Umpire makes that call.  If doing so prior to the call by the Umpire causes confusion with the runners resulting in unfair tag or force outs, the Umpire can void the play and call VERBAL INTERFERENCE and award all runners the next base.

·        In the spirit of good sportsmanship and fair play, the Managers of both teams can confer and “overrule” the Umpire’s call, or NON-CALL, if BOTH Managers agree, particularly if the Umpire failed to make a call that is spelled out in the rules or when the Umpire’s call was obviously incorrect.

2.     The Board:  The Board is comprised of Three (3) Commissioners who will have the final say on the interpretation of the rules and any disciplinary or corrective action for a violation of these rules.  Rules can be modified anytime by the Board as needed to improve player safety, fairness of the game or for the betterment of the League and our players.

3.     Player Eligibility:  We welcome all players, but because we have vast differences in age, abilities, softball experience and health, we prioritize the Safety and Well-being of all our players by adopting rules that reflect this objective.   We encourage everyone to keep this in mind and think of the other guy first!

a.     Age Requirement:  For purposes of joining the league (minimum age 55), or players benefitting from 80+ rules, age is determined on a calendar year basis.  For example, if he will be 55 or 80 on November 21, he is considered to be 55 or 80 as of January 1 that year.

b.     Signed Waiver:  All participants must complete and sign a contract/waiver to play prior to playing.  In doing so, they agree to agree to follow our League Rules.

c.      Fielding Position/Player Safety:  Beginning in the Fall 2025 season, because of the number of players in the league who are limited to only catching, to avoid an abundance of “Catcher Only” players on a team, which can result in using these players out of position, all NEW players must be able to play a position(s) other than catching.  This does not apply to any player who previously has played for the league.

d.     Pool Players:  All players must be able to play full-time (2 games a week), not counting games they can’t make due to vacations, appointments, injuries, etc.  Players who can only make one game a week due to other commitments or limitations will be designated Pool Players.  The Board will assign them a “Draft” number based on their ability.  They will be eligible to substitute according to Rule 7. If a Pool Player agrees to substitute, that player shall pay a game fee prior to the game as determined by the Board for that season.  Once a Pool Player has substituted enough times so that he has paid enough game fees equal to the league fee, all game fees will be waived from that point on for that season.  Snowbirds who arrive towards the end of the season may be assigned to a team by the Board.

4.     Length of Game/Suspended Games:  One 7 inning game will be played, unless BOTH Managers agree to a shorter game, for example, bad weather or other reasons.  A game is official after 5 innings or if the home team is ahead after 4 ½ innings.  If weather, or any other reasons, prevent an official game from being completed (except in the Mercy Rule situation), ONE of the Managers has the authority to call the game suspended.  Any suspended game will be continued when the teams next play each other and the game will resume and pick up from the point that the game was suspended.

Postponed games and games that end prior to becoming an official game shall be called and played in their entirety at a later date at the discretion of the Commissioners.

5.     Choosing Dugouts:  Dugouts will be chosen by whichever teams arrives first and choses their dugout.

6.     Defensive Positions:  Teams will field 11 fielders as follows:  Pitcher, catcher, 5 infielders and 4 outfielders.  All infielders, including the middle fielder, must be positioned on the infield dirt until the pitcher’s release of the ball.  All outfielders must be behind the white line in the outfield and may only cross the line on the pitcher’s release of the pitch.  Both teams can field 4 infielders ONLY IF both teams only have 10 players.

7.     Replacing Players:  Teams must be able to field a minimum of 8 players from their own roster.  They must field a minimum of 10 players.  If not, they forfeit the game.  The rule for replacing players is as follows:

a.     From Pool Players or the Bye Team: When there are Pool Players or a Bye Team, a team can replace any missing players from the Pool or BYE Team even if they have 11 or more players according to the rule below.  

·       Managers can only replace a player(s) with someone EQUAL TO or BELOW the draft order of the player(s) that are being replaced.  For example, if you are missing your #3 and #7 players, one replacement must be a #3 or below, and the other player must be a #7 or below, and so on.

·       Managers who obtain a Substitute Player(s) must let the opposing Manager know PRIOR to the start of the game who is missing and their draft #’s, and who the replacements are with and their respective draft #’s.  No player will be allowed to substitute unless they have been added according to this rule.  If the opposing Manager discovers that the rule has not been followed, then that player cannot play for the opposing team, unless their other Manager waives the rule.

b.     From the Opposing Team:  When there are no Pool Players or a Bye Team, a team that is short can pick up no more than 3 players as substitutes from the opposing team if that team has players to spare.  These players can be “put on” the opposing team for the entire game, or just play defensively for them and remain on their own team for that game.  Defensive players can play any position as determined by the Manager of the team in the Field.  

c.      Safety and Fair Play Considerations:

·        Any replacement players can BAT anywhere in the batting order and PLAY any position as determined by the Manager.

·        When teams only have 10 or 11 players, they are allowed to rest one player defensively each inning and ask the opposing team to provide a defensive player.

8.     Starting Count:  The at-bat begins with a one ball - one strike count. 

9.     Waiving/Rejecting a Walk: In innings 1 to 5, a batter can “waive” or reject a walk after he receives 4 balls, including an intentional walk, when he has 1 strike on him, unless the 5th run of the inning is on 3rd base with the bases loaded.  If so, he must accept the walk. Once waived, he must continue the at-bat until he either gets a hit or makes an out.  However once he receives a 2nd strike, whether called, a swing and miss, or a foul ball, the waiver is no longer an option.

10.  As a recreational league, and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, pitchers are discouraged from deliberately throwing unhittable pitches during that at-bat after a batter has rejected a walk.

11.  Runs per Inning:  Teams will be allowed to score 5 runs per inning until the last inning, and extra innings, which is unlimited.

12.  Pitching Arc Rule:  The low arc is the height of the batter. The high arc is 12 feet from the ground.  The lower arc of a pitched ball must go higher than the batter’s head while in his normal stance.  

a.     A “flat” pitch that doesn’t go higher than the batter’s head is an illegal pitch.  Likewise a pitch is illegal if it exceeds 12 feet in height.  To avoid "late" calls for an illegal pitch, umpires will call an illegal pitch either FLAT or TOO HIGH only after the ball lands.  This also relieves the batter from guessing if a pitch will be called illegal or not.  The burden is on the batter to either swing or take the pitch at their discretion.  If the batter chooses to swing at it and make contact, then the pitched ball is in play.  If the batter swings and misses, then it is a strike.

b.     The umpire will issue a warning for the first illegal pitch from that pitcher.  A ball shall be called on all subsequent illegal pitches from the same pitcher during that game.  Borderline pitches where an Umpire tells the pitcher to “bring the ball up” or “lower the pitch” are not considered an official warning.

13.  Pitching Screen: The pitching screen is mandatory.  The purpose of the screen is to protect pitchers and should not result in aiding the defense.

a.     Therefore, all pitchers MUST use the screen AND step behind the screen after every pitch (Both feet must be behind the screen).  The first failure to do so will result in a WARNING from the Umpire.  And further violations will be called a ball (umpire judgment) if the pitch is taken.  Pitchers will be allowed to field a ground ball or line drive ONLY AFTER first stepping behind the screen and remaining there until the ball reaches the plate.  If in the Umpire's judgment, the pitcher failed to step behind the screen or stepped out too soon and fielded a ground ball or a line drive, the umpire shall call a Dead Ball Single for the batter and all runners will advance one base if forced to do so.  

b.     Managers have a responsibility to remind their pitchers AND players who umpire of this rule.  

c.      The edge of the screen closest to the pitcher must be placed in front of part of the pitcher's rubber.  Once the screen is in position it becomes part of the field and may not be tipped over or thrown aside to accommodate a throw from the outfield.

d.     A ball thrown by a fielder that makes contact with the pitcher’s screen will be considered “live” and in play, same as if it hit a base or an umpire.  A batted ball that hits the screen will result in a dead ball and automatic strike on the batter.

e.     If a batter has two strikes and hits a foul ball the batter will be called out on strikes.  If the batter has two strikes and hits the pitching screen it will be considered a dead ball and the count will remain the same.  If during the same at bat, if the batter hits the pitching screen a second time with two strikes on him, the batter will be called out on strikes.  

14.     Alternate First Base:  When running to first base, players must use the outside base on any potential defensive play at that base.  Also, to avoid collisions and injuries, if there is no potential play at first, the First Baseman shouldn’t remain on the bag or stand in the way of the runner who is taking the turn at first base.

a.     Batter-Runners:  A double bag shall be used at first base, the double portion of the bag being in foul territory abutting first base. If there is a play on a batter-runner going to first base, the batter-runner must touch some portion of the double bag extending into foul territory. The batter-runner is permitted to touch both portions of the double bag at the same time.  He will be called out if he fails to do so, except if, in the umpire's judgment, the batter-runner is avoiding a collision. This is subject to an appeal to the field umpire. Result: If the runner has been determined to have hit the wrong bag, batter/runner is out.

     If there is no defensive play to be made at first base, including balls hit to the outfield, the batter/runner may touch either bag. After the initial play, the base runner is not penalized for choosing to start on the outside base. However he must start the next pitch on either base unless he is “STEPPING OFF” according to Rule 17.  Failure to do so will result in him being called out.

b.    The Defending Player: The defending player has only the inside base in fair territory to make the putout.  Touching only the bag in foul territory will not result in an out.  There is no penalty for first touching the bag in foul territory while on the way to the inside bag, which can occur on an overthrown ball that he is retrieving, or for touching both bags simultaneously.  However, the defender has the responsibility to avoid a collision with the batter-runner.  Failure to do so can result in the batter-runner being declared safe at first.

15.       Running the Bases:  For player safety, runners are required to avoid violent contact with defensive players by not colliding with them or knocking them down.  They must also get out of the base path on a thrown ball, on a force play at 2nd or 3rd base (not on a ball thrown from an outfielder) by "Peeling” or “Veering" off.  A batter/runner who intentionally slides into First Base or Home Plate is automatically out and it is a Dead Ball.  A batter-runner who does not discard his bat before reaching first base shall be called out.

16.       Peeling/Veering Off and Dropped Balls:  On a ball fielded by an infielder who throws to SECOND BASE or THIRD BASE, the following rule is in effect:

a.     If the ball is dropped by the defensive player covering the bag, the runner from first base going to second base will automatically be declared SAFE at second, regardless of where the runner was when the ball was dropped. 

b.     A ball is consider "Dropped" when it touches any part of the fielder or his glove AND hits the ground IN THE INFIELD.  A bobbled ball that is caught is not a "Drop".  The ball is still in play and runners can continue to advance at their own risk.  The fielder can pick up the ball and throw other runners out, including the batter.

c.      If the fielder throws the ball wild to second base, the ball is live and the play continues as normal.  All runners advance at their own risk.  It is NOT a dropped ball if it "flicks" off the body or glove of the fielder covering 2nd base and lands in the outfield.

d.     This "dropped ball rule" applies to 2nd and 3rd base.

17.    Penalty for Interfering with a Fielder or a Play: This is a Recreational League and we want to have Fun.  In an effort to prevent injuries and protect defensive players, runners are obligated to avoid collisions with defenders. Therefore,

a.     Collisions and Interference: Umpires and runners are cautioned that when runners are going into 2nd or 3rd base on a force out at that bag, any runner who interferes with the fielder covering the bag that results in the fielder not being able to make the play, OR goes hard into that fielder causing a forceful collision, must be called OUT by the umpire for Interference. Even if the collision doesn't prevent the fielder from making the play, going into the fielder hard is Unsportsmanlike Conduct and the runner will be called out, or ejected from the game by the Umpire for flagrant violations. 

·        When a runner runs outside the three-foot running lane to avoid a crash with a defender holding the ball and waiting to apply a tag, the runner is called out.  The baseline is not always a straight line (except Home to First Base), but that the RUNNER establishes the three-foot running lane based on the route he is taking to the next base.

·        When a defensive player is fielding a thrown ball and the flight of the ball carries or draws them into the path of the base runner, it is not a crash, as the runner has the obligation to avoid a collision.  Failure to do so is INTERFERENCE if it hindered the fielder from making the play.  If so, the runner is called out (dead ball).

b.     Double Plays:  Umpires can call a double play if they think that the interference with the fielder or the failure to get out of the base path on a thrown ball, prevented an obvious double play from being made.  In this case, the immediate succeeding runner will also called out.

c.      Tag Plays:  A runner must be called out when they remain on their feet and crash into a defensive player who is holding the ball and waiting to apply a tag. To prevent a collision, the runner may slide, go around the defender or return to the previous base touched.  If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender is ejected.

d.     Fake Tags:  Fake tags are prohibited.  Penalty:  All runners advance one base.

e.     Dead Ball:  When a runner is called out for interference or crashing into a fielder holding the ball, the ball becomes dead.  All other runners must return to their previous base.

f.       Obstruction:  A fielder who, when not making a play, blocks the base path and prevents a runner from advancing to the next base, the fielder is guilty of obstruction and the runner is awarded the base they would have reached if not obstructed.  When an obstructed runner crashes into a fielder holding the ball, there is no obstruction and the runner is out.  Being obstructed by a fielder does not give the runner the right to collide with a fielder.  It is the runner’s responsibility to avoid contact with a fielder who is going for a ball.

18.       Infield Fly Rule:  The traditional Infield Fly Rule is no longer in effect.  This change is to avoid the judgmental confusion of whether a batted popup can be "routinely" caught or not.  Now, the situation will speak for itself as follows.

a.     If a popup or line drive is hit, no "Infield Fly" will be called.  The batter will no longer be automatically called out.

b.     If the ball is caught, runners advance at their own risk. 

c.      To prevent a fielder from intentionally "dropping" the ball to confuse the runners so that a double-play can be made, the following applies:

·       If the ball is "muffed” or dropped by a fielder while standing on the infield dirt, or falls on the infield dirt without being caught, it is a live ball and only ONE runner can be thrown or tagged out.  All other runners will be allowed to advance safely at least one base.

·       There can be no double play on the hit ball until all other runners advance one base.  If any runner runs beyond the one base, he then is in peril of being thrown out.

19.       Alternate Home Plate:  To score, the runners must touch the alternate home plate.  We do not use a Home Plate line.  Touching the plate at the batter's box will result in the runner being called out.

20.       Commit Line:  Runners must go home after touching or crossing the commit line and cannot be tagged out after touching or crossing the commit line.  After the runner touches or crosses the commit line, the player covering home plate must catch and control the ball while touching the home plate by the batter's box for the runner to be called out.

21.       Sliding:  No sliding into 1^st base or home plate.  Penalty: Dead ball and runner out.

22.       Stepping Off:  If a player wants to step off the corner bases into foul territory he must notify the umpire.  The runner must be perpendicular to the base and retouch the base before advancing.

23.       Minimum Play:  All players must play a minimum of 3 innings defensively per game, if they choose to.

24.       Mercy Rule:  If either team is behind by 15 runs or more after batting in 6 innings, the game is over.

25.       Extra Innings:  If the game is tied after the 7^th inning, the 8^th inning with start (and 9^th if necessary) with the last batter on 2^nd base.  This runner may not be pinch run for until he reaches 3^rd base.  If he cannot physically run for any reason, he will be declared out, and the 2^nd to last batter from the previous inning will take his place.  Games will be called a tie after 9 complete innings.

26.       Overthrown Balls:  If a ball is thrown and goes out of the area of play (into a dugout or over the fence) the base runners automatically get to advance to the bass they are going to plus one extra base.  If the gate on the dugout of the team batting is not closed, the team batting will gain no advantage (no player advancement) for a ball that goes thru the gate area into the dugout.  Instead it will be considered a dead ball.

27.      Courtesy Runners:  A player shall be a courtesy, or pinch-runner, only ONCE per inning during regulation play and extra innings.  Other rules are as follows:

a.     A courtesy runner is officially in the game when announced to the plate umpire AND the base is touched. 

b.     A pinch-runner cannot be replaced except for injury.  If so, the injured player must be removed from the line-up and cannot return to the game.

c.      If a pinch-runner is on base when it's his turn to bat, he is declared out, the base shall remain vacant, and he loses his turn to bat.  The next batter will be the on-deck batter who followed him in the lineup.  If the out resulted in the 3rd out of the inning, the player who was on-deck will be the lead-off batter in the next inning.

d.     If a player is pinch run for, it is NOT required that he be pinch run from that point on, however, any player replaced by a courtesy runner cannot become a courtesy runner in the same inning.

e.     If a courtesy runner is used more than once in an inning, he will be called out and removed from the base.  The base shall remain vacant.

f.       It is the Manager’s discretion to determine if and when pinch runners will be used.  Managers are encouraged to allow all runners to run for themselves except when the batter-runner requests a courtesy runner, injury or when strategy calls for it depending on the situation and the score.

28.       Silver Alert:  When an 80+ player comes up to bat, the player must notify the umpire that he is a “Silver Alert” and the umpire in turn will officially announce “Silver Alert”, meaning an 80+ player cannot be doubled up at 1st base.

29.       Throwing to First Base:  Outfielders may not throw out a runner going to first base on a batted ball (includes any relays to first base), except when the batter has safely reached first base and has made an attempt to advance to 2^nd base.