REGIS UNIVERSITY INTRAMURAL SPORTS SOFTBALL RULES
REGIS UNIVERSITY INTRAMURAL SPORTS SOFTBALL RULES Current rules of the A.S.A. Slow Pitch Softball Rules will apply in all cases, except where specific Intramural Sports Rules apply. Rule 1 – Eligibility Rule 2 – Field and Equipment Rule 3 – Team Composition and Substitutions Rule 4 – Game Play Rule 5 – Mercy Rule Rule 6 – Pitching Regulations Rule 7 – Batting Rule 8 – Baserunning Rule 9 – Defense Rule 10 – Co-Rec Modifications RULE 1 - ELIGIBILITY I.
All current students, faculty, and staff are eligible to play. RULE 2 – FIELD AND EQUIPMENT
I. II.
All games will be played at the Regis Softball Field. The dimensions of the baselines will be 65 feet. The distance between the pitching mound and home plate will be 50 feet.
III.
Out of bounds will be 15 feet from foul territory and marked with a painted line and will be treated as a fence by the umpire when ruling on errant throws, batted balls, and any “Catch and Carry” plays.
IV.
If a live ball is overthrown into dead ball territory, all runners will be awarded 2 bases from their previously established base at the time of the throw. Example: If a batter hits a ground ball and the fielder overthrows the ball to the out of bounds area, the batter will be awarded second base.
V.
VI. VII. VIII.
12-inch softballs will be provided for games. Players are responsible for bringing their own gloves and preferred bats. A small number of bats and gloves will be available for check-out. Gloves must be worn by every player. All bats must be ASA Approved. When in doubt, the bat is illegal. Metal cleats of any kind are illegal and may not be worn.
P a g e |1 Rev. 02.16
RULE 3 – TEAM COMPOSITION AND SUBSTITUTIONS I.
II.
A team shall consist of 10 players. A team must have a minimum of 7 players to start and continue a game. Should a team begin a game with less than 10 players, all players who wish to participate after the game has started must be added at the end of the line-up sheet.
III.
Should a player be ejected for any reason, every time that non-replaced player would have batted in the order, their position will be declared an automatic out.
IV.
A courtesy runner may take the place of an injured base runner. The courtesy runner shall be the runner on the batting team who made the last out.
V.
VI.
If an extra player (EP) is used, all 11 players in the line-up must bat and any 10 of those 11 may play defense. If a player is substituted out of the game, they may only reenter the game in their original position in the line-up. Example: If the 4th batter is substituted out of the game, they may only reenter the game in the 4th position in the line-up. RULE 4 – GAME PLAY
I.
The duration of the game shall be 6 innings or a 50 minute time limit, whichever comes first. No new inning shall start after the 50 minute time limit has expired.
II.
Extra innings will only be used in the playoffs. Games tied at the end of regulation in the regular season will be recorded as a tie.
III.
A coin toss between the two captains and umpire(s) will be conducted before the game starts.
IV.
The winner of the toss shall have the choice of options: a. Visiting Team – Bat first b. Home Team – Play the field first
V.
In the event of inclement weather, or for any other reason, a game is considered complete if 5 innings have been completed (4½ innings if the home team is ahead). RULE 5 – MERCY RULE
I.
A games hall be over it a team is ahead by: a. 15 runs or more after the 4th inning; OR b. 10 runs or more after the 5th inning
P a g e |2 Rev. 02.16
RULE 6 – PITCHING REGULATIONS I. II.
Teams pitch to their own batters. Pitchers must be a signed-in team member and do not have to be one of the batters in the line-up.
III.
A maximum of two pitching changes are permitted per inning even when batting through the order.
IV.
Pitchers receive a maximum of 5 warmup pitches prior to the first inning and 1 pitch prior to any other inning.
V.
VI. VII.
VIII. IX. X. XI.
Pitchers shall wait until the fielding team is ready before delivering the pitch. Prior to pitching, the pitcher must come to a full stop for a full second and have at least one foot on the pitcher’s plate. The pivot foot must stay in contact with the pitcher’s plate until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. The pitch must be delivered at a moderate speed propelled from an underhand motion with a minimum height of 6 feet from the ground and a maximum height of 12 feet from the ground. A quick pitch is illegal. The umpire will call “Time” and an Illegal Pitch will be declared. The speed and height of a pitch are judged by the umpire(s). Offensive pitchers do not play defense and must move out of the way of all defensive plays. If the offensive pitcher is contacted by a batted ball, contacts a live ball, or interferes with a live ball it will result in the batter being called out and any base runner(s) returning to the base they occupied prior to the pitch. RULE 7 – BATTING
I.
Each shall receive a maximum of 4 pitches. There are no walks, strikeouts, or hit-by-pitches. Batters are out if they do not put the ball in play after 4 pitches.
II.
Bunting is not allowed. Batters must take a full swing at a pitch. Automatic outs are called for bunted balls and chopped balls in which the batter does not intentionally complete a full swing.
III.
Illegal pitches may not be swung at. The ball is dead as soon as the pitch is declared illegal. An illegal pitch counts as one of the 4 pitches to the batter.
IV.
A fair ball is a batted ball that: a. Settles or is touched on or over fair territory between either home and first base or home and third base. b. Touches or bounds over a base. c. Touches first, second, or third base.
P a g e |3 Rev. 02.16
d. While on or over fair territory touches the person of any umpire or player or their clothing or equipment. e. While over fair territory passes out of the playing field in flight. f. First falls or is first touched on or over fair territory beyond first, second, or third base. V.
VI.
VII.
Infield fly rule is, when declared by the umpire, a fair fly that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when runners are on first and second or all three bases are occupied and before there are two out in the inning. Any defensive player positioned in the infield at the time of the pitch shall be considered an infielder for the purpose of this rule. The rule does not preclude outfields from being permitted to make a catch. The ball is live, the batter is out, which removes the force, but runners may advance at their own risk. The runners may tag up and advance as soon as the batted ball is touched by a fielder. If a declared infield fly becomes foul, it is treated as a foul ball, not an infield fly. It is the offensive team’s responsibility to retrieve the home run ball. There is a limit of 3 home runs per team. After 3 home runs, each excess will be declared an out. If the team scores 10 runs in an inning, at that point that half-inning will be declared over regardless of the number of outs. Example: If Team A scores 10 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning and only has one out, the inning is over and it is now the top of the 3rd inning. RULE 8 – BASERUNNING
I.
Runners may not steal a base. Baserunners may leave or step off the base when a pitched ball has reached or passed home plate. If the ball is not hit, the ball is dead and the runners must return immediately to their bases.
II.
A runner is automatically ruled out and the ball is dead if the runner leaves the base prior to the ball reaching home plate.
III.
Sliding is permitted and is recommended in a feet first method.
IV.
Intentionally running into a fielder having possession of the ball will result in the runner being ruled out and immediate ejection from the game.
V.
The umpire shall call “Time” when, after a ball is batted fairly, the ball is returned to the infield and play has ceases. RULE 9 – DEFENSE
I.
All teams must supply a catcher as one of the infielders.
II.
Defensive positions shall include a maximum of 4 players in the outfield and a maximum of 6 players, including the catcher, in the infield.
III.
If playing with 6 infield defenders, one of the infields must field the defensive pitcher position.
P a g e |4 Rev. 02.16
IV.
A defensive pitcher, if used, shall be within the diamond, no closer to home plate than the pitching rubber. Their position shall be at least 4 feet and no more than 8 feet from the offensive team’s pitcher, and in such a position that does not interfere with the offensive team pitcher’s natural motion. RULE 10 – CO-REC MODIFICATIONS
I.
The Co-Rec game shall be played between 2 teams of 10 players: a. 5 men and 5 women
II.
Teams playing with 9 players shall be: a. 5 men and 4 women b. 4 men and 5 women
III.
Teams playing with 8 players shall be: a. 5 men and 3 women b. 4 men and 4 women c. 3 men and 5 women
IV.
Teams playing with 7 players shall be: a. 5 men and 2 women b. 4 men and 3 women c. 3 men and 4 women d. 2 men and 5 women
V.
All players on the team roster must bat. Teams must alternate positions in the batting order by sex. Teams must follow the same batting order the entire game; the order does not restart each inning.
P a g e |5 Rev. 02.16
All current students, faculty, and staff are eligible to play. RULE 2 – FIELD AND EQUIPMENT
I. II.
All games will be played at the Regis Softball Field. The dimensions of the baselines will be 65 feet. The distance between the pitching mound and home plate will be 50 feet.
III.
Out of bounds will be 15 feet from foul territory and marked with a painted line and will be treated as a fence by the umpire when ruling on errant throws, batted balls, and any “Catch and Carry” plays.
IV.
If a live ball is overthrown into dead ball territory, all runners will be awarded 2 bases from their previously established base at the time of the throw. Example: If a batter hits a ground ball and the fielder overthrows the ball to the out of bounds area, the batter will be awarded second base.
V.
VI. VII. VIII.
12-inch softballs will be provided for games. Players are responsible for bringing their own gloves and preferred bats. A small number of bats and gloves will be available for check-out. Gloves must be worn by every player. All bats must be ASA Approved. When in doubt, the bat is illegal. Metal cleats of any kind are illegal and may not be worn.
P a g e |1 Rev. 02.16
RULE 3 – TEAM COMPOSITION AND SUBSTITUTIONS I.
II.
A team shall consist of 10 players. A team must have a minimum of 7 players to start and continue a game. Should a team begin a game with less than 10 players, all players who wish to participate after the game has started must be added at the end of the line-up sheet.
III.
Should a player be ejected for any reason, every time that non-replaced player would have batted in the order, their position will be declared an automatic out.
IV.
A courtesy runner may take the place of an injured base runner. The courtesy runner shall be the runner on the batting team who made the last out.
V.
VI.
If an extra player (EP) is used, all 11 players in the line-up must bat and any 10 of those 11 may play defense. If a player is substituted out of the game, they may only reenter the game in their original position in the line-up. Example: If the 4th batter is substituted out of the game, they may only reenter the game in the 4th position in the line-up. RULE 4 – GAME PLAY
I.
The duration of the game shall be 6 innings or a 50 minute time limit, whichever comes first. No new inning shall start after the 50 minute time limit has expired.
II.
Extra innings will only be used in the playoffs. Games tied at the end of regulation in the regular season will be recorded as a tie.
III.
A coin toss between the two captains and umpire(s) will be conducted before the game starts.
IV.
The winner of the toss shall have the choice of options: a. Visiting Team – Bat first b. Home Team – Play the field first
V.
In the event of inclement weather, or for any other reason, a game is considered complete if 5 innings have been completed (4½ innings if the home team is ahead). RULE 5 – MERCY RULE
I.
A games hall be over it a team is ahead by: a. 15 runs or more after the 4th inning; OR b. 10 runs or more after the 5th inning
P a g e |2 Rev. 02.16
RULE 6 – PITCHING REGULATIONS I. II.
Teams pitch to their own batters. Pitchers must be a signed-in team member and do not have to be one of the batters in the line-up.
III.
A maximum of two pitching changes are permitted per inning even when batting through the order.
IV.
Pitchers receive a maximum of 5 warmup pitches prior to the first inning and 1 pitch prior to any other inning.
V.
VI. VII.
VIII. IX. X. XI.
Pitchers shall wait until the fielding team is ready before delivering the pitch. Prior to pitching, the pitcher must come to a full stop for a full second and have at least one foot on the pitcher’s plate. The pivot foot must stay in contact with the pitcher’s plate until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. The pitch must be delivered at a moderate speed propelled from an underhand motion with a minimum height of 6 feet from the ground and a maximum height of 12 feet from the ground. A quick pitch is illegal. The umpire will call “Time” and an Illegal Pitch will be declared. The speed and height of a pitch are judged by the umpire(s). Offensive pitchers do not play defense and must move out of the way of all defensive plays. If the offensive pitcher is contacted by a batted ball, contacts a live ball, or interferes with a live ball it will result in the batter being called out and any base runner(s) returning to the base they occupied prior to the pitch. RULE 7 – BATTING
I.
Each shall receive a maximum of 4 pitches. There are no walks, strikeouts, or hit-by-pitches. Batters are out if they do not put the ball in play after 4 pitches.
II.
Bunting is not allowed. Batters must take a full swing at a pitch. Automatic outs are called for bunted balls and chopped balls in which the batter does not intentionally complete a full swing.
III.
Illegal pitches may not be swung at. The ball is dead as soon as the pitch is declared illegal. An illegal pitch counts as one of the 4 pitches to the batter.
IV.
A fair ball is a batted ball that: a. Settles or is touched on or over fair territory between either home and first base or home and third base. b. Touches or bounds over a base. c. Touches first, second, or third base.
P a g e |3 Rev. 02.16
d. While on or over fair territory touches the person of any umpire or player or their clothing or equipment. e. While over fair territory passes out of the playing field in flight. f. First falls or is first touched on or over fair territory beyond first, second, or third base. V.
VI.
VII.
Infield fly rule is, when declared by the umpire, a fair fly that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when runners are on first and second or all three bases are occupied and before there are two out in the inning. Any defensive player positioned in the infield at the time of the pitch shall be considered an infielder for the purpose of this rule. The rule does not preclude outfields from being permitted to make a catch. The ball is live, the batter is out, which removes the force, but runners may advance at their own risk. The runners may tag up and advance as soon as the batted ball is touched by a fielder. If a declared infield fly becomes foul, it is treated as a foul ball, not an infield fly. It is the offensive team’s responsibility to retrieve the home run ball. There is a limit of 3 home runs per team. After 3 home runs, each excess will be declared an out. If the team scores 10 runs in an inning, at that point that half-inning will be declared over regardless of the number of outs. Example: If Team A scores 10 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning and only has one out, the inning is over and it is now the top of the 3rd inning. RULE 8 – BASERUNNING
I.
Runners may not steal a base. Baserunners may leave or step off the base when a pitched ball has reached or passed home plate. If the ball is not hit, the ball is dead and the runners must return immediately to their bases.
II.
A runner is automatically ruled out and the ball is dead if the runner leaves the base prior to the ball reaching home plate.
III.
Sliding is permitted and is recommended in a feet first method.
IV.
Intentionally running into a fielder having possession of the ball will result in the runner being ruled out and immediate ejection from the game.
V.
The umpire shall call “Time” when, after a ball is batted fairly, the ball is returned to the infield and play has ceases. RULE 9 – DEFENSE
I.
All teams must supply a catcher as one of the infielders.
II.
Defensive positions shall include a maximum of 4 players in the outfield and a maximum of 6 players, including the catcher, in the infield.
III.
If playing with 6 infield defenders, one of the infields must field the defensive pitcher position.
P a g e |4 Rev. 02.16
IV.
A defensive pitcher, if used, shall be within the diamond, no closer to home plate than the pitching rubber. Their position shall be at least 4 feet and no more than 8 feet from the offensive team’s pitcher, and in such a position that does not interfere with the offensive team pitcher’s natural motion. RULE 10 – CO-REC MODIFICATIONS
I.
The Co-Rec game shall be played between 2 teams of 10 players: a. 5 men and 5 women
II.
Teams playing with 9 players shall be: a. 5 men and 4 women b. 4 men and 5 women
III.
Teams playing with 8 players shall be: a. 5 men and 3 women b. 4 men and 4 women c. 3 men and 5 women
IV.
Teams playing with 7 players shall be: a. 5 men and 2 women b. 4 men and 3 women c. 3 men and 4 women d. 2 men and 5 women
V.
All players on the team roster must bat. Teams must alternate positions in the batting order by sex. Teams must follow the same batting order the entire game; the order does not restart each inning.
P a g e |5 Rev. 02.16
