Softball League

Softball League
Spring 2006
Men's, Women's & Co-ed Divisions

TEAMS AND PLAYERS:
1. A minimum of 8 players is needed to begin a game. There shall be unlimited substitution. That is, everyone present may bat but only ten players may be on the field for defense. Players may sub for one another at anytime.
2. Each team shall provide the Umpire with a batting order prior to the start of the game. Please note that all players must bat in that order, as it may not be altered once the game commences.
3. If additional players arrive after the game begins, these players may be placed at the end of the batting order.
4. Each team will keep score when they are batting. The Umpire shall verify & announce the score at the conclusion of each inning. Disputes regarding the score must be brought to the Umpires attention prior to the next inning.

EQUIPMENT:
1. Teams must use the intramural game balls provided.
2. Players may not wear metal cleats or use baseball bats. Any player stepping into the batter's box with either shall be declared out and a warning issued to the team. Any second infraction may result in an ejection.
3. A player who throws a bat shall be declared out. The play shall be declared dead and base runners may NOT advance.
4. Bats will be available but teams may use their own bat; however, it must be "ASA Approved" or approved by an IM Supervisor. Titanium Bats are not allowed.
5. Participants are encouraged to wear athletic clothing. Clothing that restricts the natural movement of the participant (i.e.: blue jeans) are prohibited.
6. All players must wear shoes.
7. Jewelry is NOT to be worn.

THE PLAYING FIELD:
The bases are 60' apart. The pitching mound is 46' from home plate.

THE GAME:
1. Games shall be 7 innings or one hour, which ever occurs first, unless one team is leading by 15 runs after the 4th inning or 10 runs after the 5th, after which the game shall end.
2. Games that end in a tie during regular season shall be recorded as such. Extra innings shall only be played if time allows.
3. GRACE PERIOD:
a) Teams are allowed a maximum ten (10) minute late grace period.
b) Games in which one team is late:
1) A legal team signed in and ready to play at the scheduled starting time will be awarded the choice (home or away) and two (2) runs.
c) If both teams are late there will be NO late points awarded to either team.
d) Reserve Clause: The IM Staff reserves the right to make time adjustment to accommodate scheduling conflicts

PITCHING RULES:
1. The pitching arch is between 6 and 12 feet. That is, the ball must arch at least 6' above the ground but not more then 12'.
2. The pitcher must have at least one foot on the pitching rubber during delivery.
3. The pitcher must show the ball to the umpire and batter before pitching. No quick pitches.
4. If the ball is pitched illegally the umpire shall shout "illegal pitch" at which time the batter may either swing at the pitch & take the result, or not swing and take an automatic ball.
5. There are no balks.
6. A batter hit by a pitch does not advance to first base
7. If a batter catches a pitch a strike shall be called.
8. The strike zone is below the front shoulder and above the back knee. A mat placed behind homeplate designates the Intramural strike zone. If a legally delivered pitch hits the mat a strike shall be called. (base runners must touch Home Plate not the mat while base running.) A ball going through the strike zone but not hitting the mat may also be called a strike, per the judgment of the Umpire.
9. Per ASA rules, when a batter fouls away with two strikes they will be declared out.
10. A game shall be declared completed if "called" after the bottom of the forth inning (or beyond) for inclement weather.
11. BATTERS WILL BEGIN WITH A ONE & ONE COUNT (1 strike & 1 ball).
12. Pitchers may wave a batter to first base if they wish to walk the batter intentionally.
13. Pitchers are allowed a maximum of three warm-up pitches in one minute between innings.
14. If a pitch hits ANY part of homeplate it is a ball!

Co-Ed Rules
1. A minimum of 8 players is needed to begin a game (4 women & 4 men).
2. Teams shall consist of the following ratios while on defense:
5 men/5 women 4 women/5 men
4 men/5 women 4 men / 4 women
3. BATTER ORDER: The batting order must rotate male/female (or vice-versa). If there are more of one sex than the other the order shall continue male/female (to accomplish this teams may have to have a male batting line-up and a female batting line-up).
4. If a male batter is walked (intentionally or not), they shall advance to second base automatically. The next batter (a female) will automatically take first base.

INTERFERENCE:
1. If a player on the offensive team (fans, coaches, batter or base runners) interferes with the fielding team making a play on the ball in either fair or foul territory, the player closest to home is out and all other base runners must return to the base they last obtained. If the interference breaks up a potential double play, that base runner and the base runner closest to home shall be declared out.
2. If a batted ball, which has not passed a fielder other than the pitcher hits a base runner, the base runner is out and all other runners must return to the base last obtained. (A base runner hit by a batted ball while standing on the base is not out. The ball is fair and play shall continue.)
3. Batter is out if he/she attempts to bunt or chop down on the ball.

Base Runners & Batters
1. If a base dislodges, runners do not have to follow the base, instead they must go to the area where the base originally was.
2. Two runners may not occupy the same base. The runner first legally holding the base is entitled to it unless forced to advance.
3. A runner leaving a base before the ball crosses home plate or is batted it out. (Dead Ball)
4. If a runner passes another runner, the runner is out but the ball is still in play.
5. No runner may return to touch a missed base after a subsequent runner has scored.
6. Awarded bases must be touched in proper order.
7. A base runner is out if assisted by anyone other than another base runner.
8. A base runner to 1st base is out if running inside the baseline to avoid interference with a fielder attempting to field the ball.
9. A base runner is NOT out if he/she runs out of the baseline to avoid interference with a fielder attempting to field the ball.
10. A base runner is not out if hit by a batted ball that touched or has gone through a fielder.
11. A base runner is OUT if he/she does not slide and makes more than incidental contact with a fielder.
12. A base runner running, more than 3' outside the baseline (either way) to avoid a tag, is out.
13. There are no pinch runners. If a player is on base and cannot continue an out will be called.

BALLS OUT OF PLAY:
1. If a ball is thrown or carried out of play, each runner is awarded two bases from the base they possess when the ball was thrown. (NOT where they were when the ball went out of play). The umpire should yell, "DEAD BALL. OUT OF PLAY," so runners will not get injured.
Play 1: There is a runner on first base, the batter hits a ball to the pitcher who throws the ball to first base and it goes out of play. Ruling: The runner that started at first should be awarded 3rd base and the batter should be awarded 2nd base. This is because at the time of the throw the runner that started at 1st base was not at 2nd base when the ball was thrown so 1st base was the base possessed at the time of the throw. The batter did not reach first base by the time of the throw so home plate was the base possessed at the time of the throw (2 bases awarded from the base possessed at time of throw).

Play 2: There is a runner on 1st base. The batter hits a line drive to the shortstop who makes a great catch. The runner on first was leading off so the shortstop decides to go for the double play and throws the ball to first which ends up going out of play. The runner on 1st was on the way back to 1st base when the ball was thrown. Ruling: The runner should be awarded 3rd base because at the time of the throw 1st base was the last base that was possessed.

INFIELD FLY RULE:
1. If a batter pops up the ball to an infielder with runners on first and second or first, second and third with less than two outs, the batter is automatically out and runner(s) may advance at their own risk. If the ball is caught, base runners must tag up. If the ball is dropped the batter is still out, & the ball is live. Base runners may advance at any time. The umpire yells, "INFIELD FLY, BATTER IS OUT, IF FAIR," so all players can hear.


***The Intramural Office Reserves the right to put into effect any new ruling regarding Intramural policies and unsportsmanlike conduct.