Softball Tournament Rules
Softball Tournament Rules
Requirements:
The National Federation of State High School Associations Rules shall be followed in cooperation with Intramural Rules. The following game rules apply to all divisions. Recreation Center Intramural Guidelines apply
1. Student participants must be currently enrolled for at least one credit hour and maintain a 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. or higher. a. Students who have a cumulative G.P.A. lower than a 2.0 can appeal by making an appointment with the Intramural & Recreational Sports Specialist. Decision will be based on improvement from their previous semester. 2. Alumni’s, Full Time Faculty and Staff participants must be a current member of the Recreation Center (they are excluded from participating in Extramural events). 3. All participants must present their valid school ID (UTRGV or TSC) to play. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! 4. All participants must submit the Intramural Waiver to participate. 5. All contestants must attain an IMleagues account in order to participate in their first game. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! 6. Teams may have as many current/former athletic scholarship students competing in their specific or associated sport on their team, but only one current/former athletic scholarship student competing in their specific or associated sport will be allowed to play on the court.
Equipment: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Plastic/Rubber Cleats and athletic shoes are allowed. Shoes with metal cleats will not be allowed. No bare feet. Teams are encouraged to wear similar colored shirts. Catcher’s mask will be provided. Catchers have the option of wearing a catcher’s mask; it is highly recommended for catchers to use one. 6. Bats and balls will be provided. a. All bats MUST be placed, before the start of the game, in the bat stack. b. Teams that provide their own bats MUST be willing to share with other team (corked bats). 7. Each participant should provide their own glove. 8. No jewelry is allowed even if it’s taped.
Captain Responsibility: 1. Attend Captain’s Meeting and inform his/her team of all rules and game times. a. GAME INFORMATION SUCH AS DATES, TIMES, ETC… WILL NOT BE GIVEN OUT OVER THE PHONE. 2. Become familiar with all rules, policies, and procedures. 3. Ensure all team members are eligible and that all teammates have signed a waiver. 4. Responsible for having his/her teammates check in by presenting their TSC/UTRGV ID to the IM Supervisor before the start of the game. If a participant arrives late, the TSC/UTRGV ID has to be presented to the IM Supervisor before the participant is allowed to play. 5. Be responsible for conduct of team members, fans, and coaches. 6. Be responsible for any discussion with officials. 7. Ensure results of each game are accurate by signing the scorecard at the end of each game. 8. Responsible to exhibit good sportsmanship at the end of the game by having teammates shake hands with the opposing team.
If a participant is ejected from a game, that participant must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports before they can play again in ANY Intramurals sport or league. There is no guarantee that the participant will be allowed to play again.
Participants: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
A batting line up must be submitted at the beginning of every game. Teams of 10 players comprise a normal playing team from a 14 player roster. For Coed, a max of 5 of each gender is allowed. A minimum of 8 players must be present to begin a game. If a team decides to start with 8 players, the 9th and 10th batters will be an automatic out until the player(s) arrives. Teams may list up to 14 players on the batting order; the batting order must remain constant throughout the game (any batting out of order will result in an out). Note: There will be an “automatic out” between two men batting in a row, so if you are playing with 13 players, and your 13th and first batters are men, it will be rule an “automatic out” for that team. Each team fields 10 players (minimum 2 females in the infield and 2 in the outfield at all time). Unlimited substitution of field players is allowed. o Only same gender substitutions can be made, unless the team is playing more females than males. o Players may only substitute on defense. The pitcher and catcher must be a male-female combination. Batting order must be alternating between male and female. A game can end with 7 players, but must start with 8.
Game Time: 1. The 10 Minute Rule: once game time arrives the clock will start. Teams have up to 10 minutes past the scheduled game time to have enough participants to start a game, but will be subject to the following penalties: • 1-5 minutes decide to bat first or last • 6-9 minutes 1 run against late team and other team is at bat • 10 minutes Game Forfeited or Defaulted (score 0/7)
Weather Policy:
The Intramural Supervisor will decide to call off or postpone a game due to severe weather or any other emergency situation.
Game Rules: 1. Choice of batting or fielding first shall be decided by a coin toss. 2. A game will be 6 innings and governed by a 50 minute time limit; innings in play after the time limit has gone into effect, will be finished. 3. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, extra innings will be played. 4. MERCY RULE: If after four (4) complete innings there is a 15 run lead OR if after five (5) complete innings there is a 10 run lead, the game is over. 5. Each batter will begin with one 1-ball and 1-strike count. The batter only needs three (3) more balls to be walked or two (2) more strikes to be called out. All foul balls count as strikes, including the 3rd strike. 6. Infield fly rule conditions - (a) if there are less than two outs, (b) with runners on first and second or the bases loaded, (c) and a fly ball (not including a line drive) is hit to the infield, the batter is out. a. The infield fly rule is not in effect if there is a runner on first base only, as the rule-makers assumed fielders would not gain a significant advantage by forcing out the runner rather than the batter; in either case, the net result would be one more out and a runner on first base. b. Just like any other fly ball, if an infield fly is caught or not, runners can tag up and advance at their own risk. 7. If the ball goes out of play the batter will be allowed a ground rule double. If the ball rolls under or gets stuck in the outfield fence, the outfielder should raise both hands in the air to signal it; they must leave ball as it is for umpire to determine whether the ball is out of play or not. Umpire has final decision on play. If a participant is ejected from a game, that participant must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports before they can play again in ANY Intramurals sport or league. There is no guarantee that the participant will be allowed to play again.
8. If a player is injured and unable to return to the game, a substitution can be made at the time of the injury. If the team does not have any other players to come in for substitution, the team may elect to continue, taking an “automatic out” in the position of the injured player. 9. The substitute runner may only be used once during a game for any given runner unless a separate injury should occur; a substitute runner has to be same gender. 10. Any player on field, who throws their glove with intention of stopping a play, will be penalized with a triple against his/her team.
Pitching Regulations: 1. Pitches must go over the batters shoulders, but not higher than twelve (12) feet to be deemed a legal pitch. 2. The pitcher must have contact with the pitching rubber or painted line when they release the ball or it is considered a no pitch. 3. Pitchers are limited to only 3 warm-up pitches at the start of the game. If pitcher is substituted, the new pitcher has 3 warm-up pitches as well. 4. The toss has to be underhand.
Batting Regulations: 1. Throwing the bat will be an “automatic out” if the umpire considers it dangerous. The play will be considered a dead play. We highly recommend that bats be released straight down after swinging. 2. No bunting is allowed. Any bunting action (determined by the umpire) will result in an automatic out. 3. If a pitch hits a batter, it will be considered a “ball”. No base shall be awarded. 4. A batter must be entirely in the batter’s box when swinging or the batter will be called out. 5. Home Run will be declared when the ball is hit over the fence. 6. The batter will be automatically out if the batter swings and hits the catcher’s mitt. This rule exists to protect the catcher from batters to avoid contact that might result in an injury. 7. Intentional walks must be announced to the umpire at which time the batter will be awarded first or second base (depending on gender). 8. When a male batter gets a walk, he is awarded two (2) bases and the following female at bat can get one (1) base or she can decide to bat. 9. Everyone will hit a 12” ball. 10. A DH (designated hitter - A designated hitter is a player who bats for a position player from the beginning of the game but doesn't play in the field) will be allowed only if there are two DH’s consisting of a male and a female. You are not allowed to have a DH unless you have one of each gender. The DH is used, think of the pitcher as player who just never bats and the DH as a player who just never fields, two separate and unrelated positions in as far as during the game. 11. THERE ARE NO SUBSTITUTIONS FOR A BATTER.
Base Running Regulations: 1. No leading or stealing (even if ball passes catcher) bases. Base runners may not leave the base until the ball is hit. 2. A base runner will not be allowed to slide or dive; they will be called out. 3. The base runner will be able to run through every base straight or turning to their right without being tagged out. A runner turning left may be tag out. 4. In case of a “sliding base” (causing a runner to fall), the runner will be declared safe if no effort is made by the player to advance to the next base. 5. Base path - An imaginary line 3 feet on either side of a direct line between the bases. The runner must stay within this path when the defensive team is trying to tag them out. If they go outside they will be called out. This does not pertain to a runner at full speed advancing who must round the base.
Restraining Line Rule: If a participant is ejected from a game, that participant must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports before they can play again in ANY Intramurals sport or league. There is no guarantee that the participant will be allowed to play again.
1. A restraining line will be placed about 175 feet from home plate, extending in an arc from foul line to foul line; will be marked by paint or cones. 2. (4) Outfielders must be behind the restraining line when someone is at bat, only if maximum players are on the roster; they may cross restraining line only after the ball is hit. Outfielders are to be positioned where two of the same genders are not next to each other (except if playing with more females than males). 3. Infielders may not drop back into the outfield to play gap control defense. This will avoid having players interfere with outfield play and collisions.
Safety Bases: 1. In an effort to avoid collisions, we will be using safety bases at all bases and a strike zone mat for home plate. A safety base is an additional base placed directly beside the regular base - the two bases are treated as one big base. 2. When there is a play at a base, the runner must run to the outside and the fielder must play the inside base. If contact occurs over the outside (runner’s) base, the runner is automatically awarded that base. If contact occurs over the inside (fielder’s) base, the runner is automatically out. Infractions will be left to the discretion of the umpires. 3. At home plate, we will be using the strike zone mat. The whole strike zone mat will be considered home plate. Note: Catcher cannot cover the whole home plate. They have to leave space for runner coming from third base. If catcher blocks the whole home plate, it will automatically be consider a run for the runner coming from third base. If the catcher is not covering the whole home plate and the runner from third base makes contact with catcher, it will automatically be consider an out.
Rule Enforcement:
Umpires will be provided for each game and are to be respected. There is to be no arguing with the umpire over calls. There is NO EXCEPTION to this rule. Any player, coach, or observer whose temper gets out of control over a judgment call, or who by vulgarity, intimidation or yelling confronts an umpire, will be ejected from the game. The offending person will be asked to leave the field. Protests must be made in writing and delivered to the Intramural Coordinator, and if so the purpose, the appropriate actions will be taken.
If a participant is ejected from a game, that participant must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports before they can play again in ANY Intramurals sport or league. There is no guarantee that the participant will be allowed to play again.
Requirements:
The National Federation of State High School Associations Rules shall be followed in cooperation with Intramural Rules. The following game rules apply to all divisions. Recreation Center Intramural Guidelines apply
1. Student participants must be currently enrolled for at least one credit hour and maintain a 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. or higher. a. Students who have a cumulative G.P.A. lower than a 2.0 can appeal by making an appointment with the Intramural & Recreational Sports Specialist. Decision will be based on improvement from their previous semester. 2. Alumni’s, Full Time Faculty and Staff participants must be a current member of the Recreation Center (they are excluded from participating in Extramural events). 3. All participants must present their valid school ID (UTRGV or TSC) to play. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! 4. All participants must submit the Intramural Waiver to participate. 5. All contestants must attain an IMleagues account in order to participate in their first game. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! 6. Teams may have as many current/former athletic scholarship students competing in their specific or associated sport on their team, but only one current/former athletic scholarship student competing in their specific or associated sport will be allowed to play on the court.
Equipment: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Plastic/Rubber Cleats and athletic shoes are allowed. Shoes with metal cleats will not be allowed. No bare feet. Teams are encouraged to wear similar colored shirts. Catcher’s mask will be provided. Catchers have the option of wearing a catcher’s mask; it is highly recommended for catchers to use one. 6. Bats and balls will be provided. a. All bats MUST be placed, before the start of the game, in the bat stack. b. Teams that provide their own bats MUST be willing to share with other team (corked bats). 7. Each participant should provide their own glove. 8. No jewelry is allowed even if it’s taped.
Captain Responsibility: 1. Attend Captain’s Meeting and inform his/her team of all rules and game times. a. GAME INFORMATION SUCH AS DATES, TIMES, ETC… WILL NOT BE GIVEN OUT OVER THE PHONE. 2. Become familiar with all rules, policies, and procedures. 3. Ensure all team members are eligible and that all teammates have signed a waiver. 4. Responsible for having his/her teammates check in by presenting their TSC/UTRGV ID to the IM Supervisor before the start of the game. If a participant arrives late, the TSC/UTRGV ID has to be presented to the IM Supervisor before the participant is allowed to play. 5. Be responsible for conduct of team members, fans, and coaches. 6. Be responsible for any discussion with officials. 7. Ensure results of each game are accurate by signing the scorecard at the end of each game. 8. Responsible to exhibit good sportsmanship at the end of the game by having teammates shake hands with the opposing team.
If a participant is ejected from a game, that participant must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports before they can play again in ANY Intramurals sport or league. There is no guarantee that the participant will be allowed to play again.
Participants: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
A batting line up must be submitted at the beginning of every game. Teams of 10 players comprise a normal playing team from a 14 player roster. For Coed, a max of 5 of each gender is allowed. A minimum of 8 players must be present to begin a game. If a team decides to start with 8 players, the 9th and 10th batters will be an automatic out until the player(s) arrives. Teams may list up to 14 players on the batting order; the batting order must remain constant throughout the game (any batting out of order will result in an out). Note: There will be an “automatic out” between two men batting in a row, so if you are playing with 13 players, and your 13th and first batters are men, it will be rule an “automatic out” for that team. Each team fields 10 players (minimum 2 females in the infield and 2 in the outfield at all time). Unlimited substitution of field players is allowed. o Only same gender substitutions can be made, unless the team is playing more females than males. o Players may only substitute on defense. The pitcher and catcher must be a male-female combination. Batting order must be alternating between male and female. A game can end with 7 players, but must start with 8.
Game Time: 1. The 10 Minute Rule: once game time arrives the clock will start. Teams have up to 10 minutes past the scheduled game time to have enough participants to start a game, but will be subject to the following penalties: • 1-5 minutes decide to bat first or last • 6-9 minutes 1 run against late team and other team is at bat • 10 minutes Game Forfeited or Defaulted (score 0/7)
Weather Policy:
The Intramural Supervisor will decide to call off or postpone a game due to severe weather or any other emergency situation.
Game Rules: 1. Choice of batting or fielding first shall be decided by a coin toss. 2. A game will be 6 innings and governed by a 50 minute time limit; innings in play after the time limit has gone into effect, will be finished. 3. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, extra innings will be played. 4. MERCY RULE: If after four (4) complete innings there is a 15 run lead OR if after five (5) complete innings there is a 10 run lead, the game is over. 5. Each batter will begin with one 1-ball and 1-strike count. The batter only needs three (3) more balls to be walked or two (2) more strikes to be called out. All foul balls count as strikes, including the 3rd strike. 6. Infield fly rule conditions - (a) if there are less than two outs, (b) with runners on first and second or the bases loaded, (c) and a fly ball (not including a line drive) is hit to the infield, the batter is out. a. The infield fly rule is not in effect if there is a runner on first base only, as the rule-makers assumed fielders would not gain a significant advantage by forcing out the runner rather than the batter; in either case, the net result would be one more out and a runner on first base. b. Just like any other fly ball, if an infield fly is caught or not, runners can tag up and advance at their own risk. 7. If the ball goes out of play the batter will be allowed a ground rule double. If the ball rolls under or gets stuck in the outfield fence, the outfielder should raise both hands in the air to signal it; they must leave ball as it is for umpire to determine whether the ball is out of play or not. Umpire has final decision on play. If a participant is ejected from a game, that participant must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports before they can play again in ANY Intramurals sport or league. There is no guarantee that the participant will be allowed to play again.
8. If a player is injured and unable to return to the game, a substitution can be made at the time of the injury. If the team does not have any other players to come in for substitution, the team may elect to continue, taking an “automatic out” in the position of the injured player. 9. The substitute runner may only be used once during a game for any given runner unless a separate injury should occur; a substitute runner has to be same gender. 10. Any player on field, who throws their glove with intention of stopping a play, will be penalized with a triple against his/her team.
Pitching Regulations: 1. Pitches must go over the batters shoulders, but not higher than twelve (12) feet to be deemed a legal pitch. 2. The pitcher must have contact with the pitching rubber or painted line when they release the ball or it is considered a no pitch. 3. Pitchers are limited to only 3 warm-up pitches at the start of the game. If pitcher is substituted, the new pitcher has 3 warm-up pitches as well. 4. The toss has to be underhand.
Batting Regulations: 1. Throwing the bat will be an “automatic out” if the umpire considers it dangerous. The play will be considered a dead play. We highly recommend that bats be released straight down after swinging. 2. No bunting is allowed. Any bunting action (determined by the umpire) will result in an automatic out. 3. If a pitch hits a batter, it will be considered a “ball”. No base shall be awarded. 4. A batter must be entirely in the batter’s box when swinging or the batter will be called out. 5. Home Run will be declared when the ball is hit over the fence. 6. The batter will be automatically out if the batter swings and hits the catcher’s mitt. This rule exists to protect the catcher from batters to avoid contact that might result in an injury. 7. Intentional walks must be announced to the umpire at which time the batter will be awarded first or second base (depending on gender). 8. When a male batter gets a walk, he is awarded two (2) bases and the following female at bat can get one (1) base or she can decide to bat. 9. Everyone will hit a 12” ball. 10. A DH (designated hitter - A designated hitter is a player who bats for a position player from the beginning of the game but doesn't play in the field) will be allowed only if there are two DH’s consisting of a male and a female. You are not allowed to have a DH unless you have one of each gender. The DH is used, think of the pitcher as player who just never bats and the DH as a player who just never fields, two separate and unrelated positions in as far as during the game. 11. THERE ARE NO SUBSTITUTIONS FOR A BATTER.
Base Running Regulations: 1. No leading or stealing (even if ball passes catcher) bases. Base runners may not leave the base until the ball is hit. 2. A base runner will not be allowed to slide or dive; they will be called out. 3. The base runner will be able to run through every base straight or turning to their right without being tagged out. A runner turning left may be tag out. 4. In case of a “sliding base” (causing a runner to fall), the runner will be declared safe if no effort is made by the player to advance to the next base. 5. Base path - An imaginary line 3 feet on either side of a direct line between the bases. The runner must stay within this path when the defensive team is trying to tag them out. If they go outside they will be called out. This does not pertain to a runner at full speed advancing who must round the base.
Restraining Line Rule: If a participant is ejected from a game, that participant must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports before they can play again in ANY Intramurals sport or league. There is no guarantee that the participant will be allowed to play again.
1. A restraining line will be placed about 175 feet from home plate, extending in an arc from foul line to foul line; will be marked by paint or cones. 2. (4) Outfielders must be behind the restraining line when someone is at bat, only if maximum players are on the roster; they may cross restraining line only after the ball is hit. Outfielders are to be positioned where two of the same genders are not next to each other (except if playing with more females than males). 3. Infielders may not drop back into the outfield to play gap control defense. This will avoid having players interfere with outfield play and collisions.
Safety Bases: 1. In an effort to avoid collisions, we will be using safety bases at all bases and a strike zone mat for home plate. A safety base is an additional base placed directly beside the regular base - the two bases are treated as one big base. 2. When there is a play at a base, the runner must run to the outside and the fielder must play the inside base. If contact occurs over the outside (runner’s) base, the runner is automatically awarded that base. If contact occurs over the inside (fielder’s) base, the runner is automatically out. Infractions will be left to the discretion of the umpires. 3. At home plate, we will be using the strike zone mat. The whole strike zone mat will be considered home plate. Note: Catcher cannot cover the whole home plate. They have to leave space for runner coming from third base. If catcher blocks the whole home plate, it will automatically be consider a run for the runner coming from third base. If the catcher is not covering the whole home plate and the runner from third base makes contact with catcher, it will automatically be consider an out.
Rule Enforcement:
Umpires will be provided for each game and are to be respected. There is to be no arguing with the umpire over calls. There is NO EXCEPTION to this rule. Any player, coach, or observer whose temper gets out of control over a judgment call, or who by vulgarity, intimidation or yelling confronts an umpire, will be ejected from the game. The offending person will be asked to leave the field. Protests must be made in writing and delivered to the Intramural Coordinator, and if so the purpose, the appropriate actions will be taken.
If a participant is ejected from a game, that participant must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports before they can play again in ANY Intramurals sport or league. There is no guarantee that the participant will be allowed to play again.
