slow-pitch softball rules
SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL RULES Code of Conduct Participant Behavior Individual and team sportsmanship is of the utmost importance to the Intramural program and all of its participants. Certain behaviors will not be tolerated before, during, or after intramural activities (examples, but not limited too): Actions meant to cause harm to any person Verbally abusive or threatening language towards players, spectators, or IM Sports Staff Lack of self-control by individuals or the team Offensive and vulgar language Failure to comply with MRC/Cain Sports Complex personnel and policies This is a zero-tolerance policy and is under the discretion of the Officials, Supervisors, Graduate Assistant, and/or Assistant Director to remove players at any point and time before, during or after a game. Player Ejections When participants behave in an unacceptable manner, they will be ejected from the program site. When ejected, the participant must leave the facility within three (3) minutes. The three minutes are given to collect belongings and to receive information about the Intramural Governing Board which will meet to issue sanctions to the individual pending a review. If a player participates in both a gender league and a coed league, participation will be prohibited in all leagues until the Intramural Governing Board meeting occurs. If a player is removed from a game and has an additional game the same night, he/she will not be allowed to participate in the later game. Actions that result in a UPD report to be filed may bypass the IM Governing Board and be referred immediately to the Director of Campus Recreation and/or the Assistant Dean of Campus Life & Student Development and/or the Chief of Police for disciplinary review and Intramural suspension recommendation. Sportsmanship Excellent sportsmanship is required for participation in Intramural Sports. There will be zero tolerance for any behavior that is deemed as poor sportsmanship. Captains are the only person that may address the Intramural staff before, during, and after games. Absolutely no cursing/offensive language is allowed at Intramural Sports. Sportsmanship Ratings Any team that does not have a sportsmanship rating of 2.75 or better will not advance to the playoffs. Teams must maintain a 2.75 average during the playoffs. Sportsmanship is determined based on a universal scale, please see attached rubric for sportsmanship. Reschedule Requests The Intramural Office provides a reschedules for any team that cannot participate in a scheduled game. The team captain must request the reschedule times through the Intramural office. The captain will then coordinate with the opposing team captain to set the day and time for the rescheduled game. The opposing team captain MUST agree to the reschedule before the game will be changed. Proof of the agreement is required to be submitted. Once both team captains have confirmed the change, the game will be canceled and rescheduled by the Intramural Office. The game will be rescheduled 1 time. If one or both teams cannot play the rescheduled game, it will be declared “no game” and not count as a win, loss, or forfeit. Teams are responsible for notifying the IM Office that they cannot play at the rescheduled time in order to be recorded as “no game”.
All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
Forfeits Players are suggested to arrive 10 minutes prior to game start time in order to insure the minimum number is present. However, there is 10 minute grace period for teams to reach the minimum number to avoid a forfeit. You must have 1 player signed in at the game start time to receive the 10 minute grace period. Start of grace period = 1 run added 5-10 minutes after game time = 2 runs added (2 total) 10 minutes after game time = forfeit of game Teams that forfeit may not be allowed to participate in the playoffs. A $20 forfeit fee will be charged to any team that forfeits. Teams will be required to pay this fee by 6:00 pm on the day prior to their next schedule game. Exception: If your game is on Monday, you must by 6:00 pm on the preceding Friday. AVOID FORFEITS BY REQUESTING A RESCHEDULE! Eligible Players/Texas A&M University-Commerce ID All full-time students, faculty, and staff of Texas A&M University-Commerce and having a valid Texas A&M University-Commerce ID are eligible to participate in Intramural Sports. All participants must present their Texas A&M University-Commerce at all Intramural events in order to participate. NO ID = NO PLAY. Exception: if a player has already been added to the roster via IMLeagues, they may present a state ID in order to check-in. Varsity Athletes Varsity athletes (including red shirted players) are not allowed to participate in a league sport or single day event that is related to the NCAA sport in which he/she is on the roster of. Example: Collegiate football players cannot play intramural flag football; collegiate basketball players cannot play intramural basketball or participate in a 3point contest; collegiate volleyball players cannot play sand volleyball, etc. Any former varsity player (including those that red shirted) must set out 1 academic year before being eligible to participating. Rosters Participants are locked to a team once he/she check-ins at the scorer’s table prior to the start of a game. Participants may not switch teams once he/she has checked in with the scorekeeper. Participants are allowed to participate on 1 gender team and 1 co-rec team, regardless of division. Examples: a participant cannot play on a Men’s Greek and a Men’s Gold team. A participant can play on a Women’s Open and a Co-Rec team. Roster Additions League rosters must be completed online at imleagues.com. If a player is not listed on the online roster/printed score sheet, he/she can added on-site by completing the departmental waiver. On-site roster additions are allowed during the league regular season. He/she will be added to the roster by the IM Staff via IMLeagues. No players may be added after the regular season. Team captains will be notified via IMLeagues when this deadline is approaching. Spectators Spectators of IM Sports must follow the guidelines aforementioned guidelines regarding behavior and sportsmanship. Additionally, the following policies are in place: Spectators must remain in the designated spectator area at Cain Sports Complex. Spectators are not allowed to smoke, use smokeless tobacco, or consume alcohol at Cain Sports Complex. Dogs must be on a leash and the dog’s owner must clean up any waste. Coaches Teams are allowed to have one designated coach on the sideline. Coaches will be required to bring their University ID and sign-in at the scorer’s table. Coaches must be a TAMUC student, faculty or staff member. Inclement Weather The IM Office will notify team captains and registered team members via email/text notification of game cancellation. When possible, a decision to cancel games will be made by 3 pm on the event date. However, the IM Supervisor on duty has the authority to cancel games if inclement weather should arise during a scheduled contest. All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
The IM Supervisor will note the time left on the clock and the score. It will be the decision of the Assistant Director of Intramural Sports if the game will resume a later date or if the game results stand. Line-Up Line-up cards must be submitted to the umpires by the captain prior to the start of the game. Games are played with a maximum of 10 players on the field, but teams may bat up to 12 players. Any of the 12 may defense. Defensive positions may be changed, but the batting order must remain the same. If playing with less than 10 players, the empty position (s) in the batting line-up will count as 1 combined automatic out every time the end of the lineup comes to bat. Substitutions Substitutions can be made during any dead ball. Legal substitutions are as follows: o Captain or coach makes the umpire aware of a substitution. o Any of the 12 players listed on the batting order may play defense. They still maintain their spot in the batting line-up. o A substitute that is not listed on the batting order, must replace starter and will take the starters place in the batting line-up. These two players now may only rotate for each other. Unlimited substitution is allowed, but the starter and the substitute for that specific starter may never play defense, nor be in the batting line-up at the same time. Courtesy Runners A courtesy runner may run for any player that is injured and is unable to run the bases safely. The courtesy runner must be the player who was the last out. Runner can only be substituted for during a dead ball, and the umpire must be notified. Pinch runners are not allowed. Equipment Balls o o Bats o o
Balls will be provided by the IM program. All divisions will utilize a USSSA Classic M, 12 inch ball. The IM program will provide bats, but players may also utilize their own (see stipulations below). Players wishing to utilize their own bats may do so, but must follow the guidelines and must be approved. Slow-pitch softball bats are the only bats that may be used. No baseball or fast-pitch bats may be used. Bats must have an official ASA (2000, 2004, 2013) or official USSSA (1.20 - 2015) stamp and must not be listed on any official non-approved, banned, or recall lists. Bats will be required to be checked-in prior to the season and will receive a stamp in order to be used throughout the season. Bat check-in will take place the first week at the fields prior to the first game with the IM supervisors.
Gloves o The IM program will provide gloves on a first-come first-serve basis. o Gloves must be checked out by providing a TAMUC ID. Upon return, the ID will be returned.
Uniform/Attire Matching shirts/uniforms are not required. Players must be dressed in athletic attire in order to participate. Footwear is required. Players may wear tennis shoes, plastic or molded cleats, or turf shoes. Metal cleats or cleat tips are not allowed. Penalty: If the player is on-base or at bat, they will be declared out. If the player is playing the field, they will be removed until proper footwear is acquired. No hoop or bar earrings are allowed. Studs and non-metal bracelets can be worn. All jewelry decisions will be made at the discretion of the supervisor. Timing All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
Games will consist of seven innings. Games may be shortened or suspended by the Intramural Sports Supervisor for weather-related conditions. Four complete innings constitute an official game. All games shall have a 50 minute time limit where no inning will begin after the 50 minute mark has passed. The IM Supervisor and/or Umpire will announce when the game is entering the final inning. Playoff games will not have a time limit. A coin flip determines the home team. Home team takes the field first. Extra Innings o Regular Season: If time has not expired and there is time for an additional inning, 1 extra inning will be played. If time has expired, game will be completed. Games can end in a tie. o Playoffs: As many innings as necessary will be played until one team has scored more runs. The offensive team will start with their last batter (who completed their at-bat) on second base as a runner (International Tie-Breaker). Both the visiting team and home team get to bat during extra innings. If the home team, at any time, takes the lead, the game will be declared complete.
Pitching A pitch must have a minimum six foot arc and a maximum 12 foot arc and must be delivered in a continuous motion. Pitchers are allowed 5 warm-up pitches in the first inning. For the remaining innings, the pitcher shall be allowed to warm-up until the fielders have had sufficient time to reach their positions. Batting Bunting or chopping the ball downward is illegal. This will result in a dead ball, batter is out and all runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. All batters will begin their turn at bat with a 1-ball/1-strike count. o The batter will walk (automatically take first base) when the count has a total of four balls. o The batter will strike out after three strikes. If a batter’s third strike is a foul ball, one courtesy foul will be allowed. If a batter fouls off a second time on strike three, then he/she will be out. The batting team is responsible for retrieving all balls hit out of the playing area (over the fence, foul territory, etc.) Base Running Stealing and leading off bases are not permitted. This will result in the runner being called out. Slide Rule: Players will be permitted to slide into all bases feet-first, however head-first slides are not allowed. Any player that slides into a base head first will be called out immediately. (EXCEPTION: Head first dives will be allowed immediately back into a bag only). Furthermore, players must slide directly into the base; “take-out” slides will be forbidden and can be subject to immediate ejection. Fielding The infield fly rule will be in effect. An infield fly is a fair fly ball (not a line drive) which can be caught by any infielder with ordinary effort when first and second bases or first, second, and third bases are occupied and there are less than 2 outs. Dead Ball Territory: If the ball is in play and is overthrown into dead ball territory, then all runners will be awarded two (2) bases based on the positions of the runners at the time the ball left the fielder’s hand. o If two runners are between the same bases, the award is based on the position of the lead runner. o Any fair hit ball that rolls into dead ball territory will be a dead ball. At this point the umpire will declare the ball dead, and award the two bases. o Any caught foul fly ball that is unintentionally carried into dead ball territory will result in a one base award. If the act is ruled intentional, the umpire will award 2 bases. Scoring A run will be scored when a player legally crosses home plate. 1 run = 1 point. Mercy/Run Rule: when a team is ahead in a game by a determined amount of runs, the game shall be declared complete. The run differences are as follows: All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
o o o
20 runs after 3 innings 15 runs after 4 innings 10 runs after 5 innings
Co-Rec Modifications The batting order must alternate male and female. If a team is only batting 9 or 11 players, then the gender that has the most players must bat first to avoid having two of the same gender batting back to back. Courtesy runner is the last player that was called out, gender does not matter. Co-Rec teams must consist of 10 players (5 men and 5 women) and a minimum of 8 (4 men and 4 women). A ratio of 5:5, 5:4, or 4:4 must be maintained in order to be eligible to play. o For teams playing with the full 10, the field must have: Infield: 3 males and 3 females (includes pitcher/catcher) Outfield: 2 males and 2 females o For teams playing with 9, the field must have: Infield: ratio of 3:3 or 3:2 (including pitcher/catcher) – can either play with 5 or 6 infielders Outfield: ratio of 2:2 or 2:1 – can play with 3 or 4 outfielders o For teams playing with 8, the field must have: Infield: ratio of 3:3, 3:2, 2:2 – can play with 4, 5, or 6 infielders Outfield: ratio of 2:2, 2:1, 1:1 – can play with 2, 3, or 4 outfielders If a male batter walks, the female batter after the walked male batter has the option to take first base. The male batter automatically gets to advance to second base—regardless of the choice of the female batter. Choice must be made by the female batter before stepping into the batter’s box to hit.
All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
Forfeits Players are suggested to arrive 10 minutes prior to game start time in order to insure the minimum number is present. However, there is 10 minute grace period for teams to reach the minimum number to avoid a forfeit. You must have 1 player signed in at the game start time to receive the 10 minute grace period. Start of grace period = 1 run added 5-10 minutes after game time = 2 runs added (2 total) 10 minutes after game time = forfeit of game Teams that forfeit may not be allowed to participate in the playoffs. A $20 forfeit fee will be charged to any team that forfeits. Teams will be required to pay this fee by 6:00 pm on the day prior to their next schedule game. Exception: If your game is on Monday, you must by 6:00 pm on the preceding Friday. AVOID FORFEITS BY REQUESTING A RESCHEDULE! Eligible Players/Texas A&M University-Commerce ID All full-time students, faculty, and staff of Texas A&M University-Commerce and having a valid Texas A&M University-Commerce ID are eligible to participate in Intramural Sports. All participants must present their Texas A&M University-Commerce at all Intramural events in order to participate. NO ID = NO PLAY. Exception: if a player has already been added to the roster via IMLeagues, they may present a state ID in order to check-in. Varsity Athletes Varsity athletes (including red shirted players) are not allowed to participate in a league sport or single day event that is related to the NCAA sport in which he/she is on the roster of. Example: Collegiate football players cannot play intramural flag football; collegiate basketball players cannot play intramural basketball or participate in a 3point contest; collegiate volleyball players cannot play sand volleyball, etc. Any former varsity player (including those that red shirted) must set out 1 academic year before being eligible to participating. Rosters Participants are locked to a team once he/she check-ins at the scorer’s table prior to the start of a game. Participants may not switch teams once he/she has checked in with the scorekeeper. Participants are allowed to participate on 1 gender team and 1 co-rec team, regardless of division. Examples: a participant cannot play on a Men’s Greek and a Men’s Gold team. A participant can play on a Women’s Open and a Co-Rec team. Roster Additions League rosters must be completed online at imleagues.com. If a player is not listed on the online roster/printed score sheet, he/she can added on-site by completing the departmental waiver. On-site roster additions are allowed during the league regular season. He/she will be added to the roster by the IM Staff via IMLeagues. No players may be added after the regular season. Team captains will be notified via IMLeagues when this deadline is approaching. Spectators Spectators of IM Sports must follow the guidelines aforementioned guidelines regarding behavior and sportsmanship. Additionally, the following policies are in place: Spectators must remain in the designated spectator area at Cain Sports Complex. Spectators are not allowed to smoke, use smokeless tobacco, or consume alcohol at Cain Sports Complex. Dogs must be on a leash and the dog’s owner must clean up any waste. Coaches Teams are allowed to have one designated coach on the sideline. Coaches will be required to bring their University ID and sign-in at the scorer’s table. Coaches must be a TAMUC student, faculty or staff member. Inclement Weather The IM Office will notify team captains and registered team members via email/text notification of game cancellation. When possible, a decision to cancel games will be made by 3 pm on the event date. However, the IM Supervisor on duty has the authority to cancel games if inclement weather should arise during a scheduled contest. All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
The IM Supervisor will note the time left on the clock and the score. It will be the decision of the Assistant Director of Intramural Sports if the game will resume a later date or if the game results stand. Line-Up Line-up cards must be submitted to the umpires by the captain prior to the start of the game. Games are played with a maximum of 10 players on the field, but teams may bat up to 12 players. Any of the 12 may defense. Defensive positions may be changed, but the batting order must remain the same. If playing with less than 10 players, the empty position (s) in the batting line-up will count as 1 combined automatic out every time the end of the lineup comes to bat. Substitutions Substitutions can be made during any dead ball. Legal substitutions are as follows: o Captain or coach makes the umpire aware of a substitution. o Any of the 12 players listed on the batting order may play defense. They still maintain their spot in the batting line-up. o A substitute that is not listed on the batting order, must replace starter and will take the starters place in the batting line-up. These two players now may only rotate for each other. Unlimited substitution is allowed, but the starter and the substitute for that specific starter may never play defense, nor be in the batting line-up at the same time. Courtesy Runners A courtesy runner may run for any player that is injured and is unable to run the bases safely. The courtesy runner must be the player who was the last out. Runner can only be substituted for during a dead ball, and the umpire must be notified. Pinch runners are not allowed. Equipment Balls o o Bats o o
Balls will be provided by the IM program. All divisions will utilize a USSSA Classic M, 12 inch ball. The IM program will provide bats, but players may also utilize their own (see stipulations below). Players wishing to utilize their own bats may do so, but must follow the guidelines and must be approved. Slow-pitch softball bats are the only bats that may be used. No baseball or fast-pitch bats may be used. Bats must have an official ASA (2000, 2004, 2013) or official USSSA (1.20 - 2015) stamp and must not be listed on any official non-approved, banned, or recall lists. Bats will be required to be checked-in prior to the season and will receive a stamp in order to be used throughout the season. Bat check-in will take place the first week at the fields prior to the first game with the IM supervisors.
Gloves o The IM program will provide gloves on a first-come first-serve basis. o Gloves must be checked out by providing a TAMUC ID. Upon return, the ID will be returned.
Uniform/Attire Matching shirts/uniforms are not required. Players must be dressed in athletic attire in order to participate. Footwear is required. Players may wear tennis shoes, plastic or molded cleats, or turf shoes. Metal cleats or cleat tips are not allowed. Penalty: If the player is on-base or at bat, they will be declared out. If the player is playing the field, they will be removed until proper footwear is acquired. No hoop or bar earrings are allowed. Studs and non-metal bracelets can be worn. All jewelry decisions will be made at the discretion of the supervisor. Timing All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
Games will consist of seven innings. Games may be shortened or suspended by the Intramural Sports Supervisor for weather-related conditions. Four complete innings constitute an official game. All games shall have a 50 minute time limit where no inning will begin after the 50 minute mark has passed. The IM Supervisor and/or Umpire will announce when the game is entering the final inning. Playoff games will not have a time limit. A coin flip determines the home team. Home team takes the field first. Extra Innings o Regular Season: If time has not expired and there is time for an additional inning, 1 extra inning will be played. If time has expired, game will be completed. Games can end in a tie. o Playoffs: As many innings as necessary will be played until one team has scored more runs. The offensive team will start with their last batter (who completed their at-bat) on second base as a runner (International Tie-Breaker). Both the visiting team and home team get to bat during extra innings. If the home team, at any time, takes the lead, the game will be declared complete.
Pitching A pitch must have a minimum six foot arc and a maximum 12 foot arc and must be delivered in a continuous motion. Pitchers are allowed 5 warm-up pitches in the first inning. For the remaining innings, the pitcher shall be allowed to warm-up until the fielders have had sufficient time to reach their positions. Batting Bunting or chopping the ball downward is illegal. This will result in a dead ball, batter is out and all runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. All batters will begin their turn at bat with a 1-ball/1-strike count. o The batter will walk (automatically take first base) when the count has a total of four balls. o The batter will strike out after three strikes. If a batter’s third strike is a foul ball, one courtesy foul will be allowed. If a batter fouls off a second time on strike three, then he/she will be out. The batting team is responsible for retrieving all balls hit out of the playing area (over the fence, foul territory, etc.) Base Running Stealing and leading off bases are not permitted. This will result in the runner being called out. Slide Rule: Players will be permitted to slide into all bases feet-first, however head-first slides are not allowed. Any player that slides into a base head first will be called out immediately. (EXCEPTION: Head first dives will be allowed immediately back into a bag only). Furthermore, players must slide directly into the base; “take-out” slides will be forbidden and can be subject to immediate ejection. Fielding The infield fly rule will be in effect. An infield fly is a fair fly ball (not a line drive) which can be caught by any infielder with ordinary effort when first and second bases or first, second, and third bases are occupied and there are less than 2 outs. Dead Ball Territory: If the ball is in play and is overthrown into dead ball territory, then all runners will be awarded two (2) bases based on the positions of the runners at the time the ball left the fielder’s hand. o If two runners are between the same bases, the award is based on the position of the lead runner. o Any fair hit ball that rolls into dead ball territory will be a dead ball. At this point the umpire will declare the ball dead, and award the two bases. o Any caught foul fly ball that is unintentionally carried into dead ball territory will result in a one base award. If the act is ruled intentional, the umpire will award 2 bases. Scoring A run will be scored when a player legally crosses home plate. 1 run = 1 point. Mercy/Run Rule: when a team is ahead in a game by a determined amount of runs, the game shall be declared complete. The run differences are as follows: All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
o o o
20 runs after 3 innings 15 runs after 4 innings 10 runs after 5 innings
Co-Rec Modifications The batting order must alternate male and female. If a team is only batting 9 or 11 players, then the gender that has the most players must bat first to avoid having two of the same gender batting back to back. Courtesy runner is the last player that was called out, gender does not matter. Co-Rec teams must consist of 10 players (5 men and 5 women) and a minimum of 8 (4 men and 4 women). A ratio of 5:5, 5:4, or 4:4 must be maintained in order to be eligible to play. o For teams playing with the full 10, the field must have: Infield: 3 males and 3 females (includes pitcher/catcher) Outfield: 2 males and 2 females o For teams playing with 9, the field must have: Infield: ratio of 3:3 or 3:2 (including pitcher/catcher) – can either play with 5 or 6 infielders Outfield: ratio of 2:2 or 2:1 – can play with 3 or 4 outfielders o For teams playing with 8, the field must have: Infield: ratio of 3:3, 3:2, 2:2 – can play with 4, 5, or 6 infielders Outfield: ratio of 2:2, 2:1, 1:1 – can play with 2, 3, or 4 outfielders If a male batter walks, the female batter after the walked male batter has the option to take first base. The male batter automatically gets to advance to second base—regardless of the choice of the female batter. Choice must be made by the female batter before stepping into the batter’s box to hit.
All rules are subject to change by the Intramural Sports professional staff. 12.7.17
