RULES
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Senior Softball Rules
03/12/2021
The home plate umpire will make all the calls.
The home plate umpire MAY ask both base coaches for help on a close play, or if requested to do so by the team coaches.
For their safety, it is required that all pitchers use the pitching screen and/or a mask. The pitchers screen is for pitcher protection. The edge of the screen shall be placed no more than 4 inches from the edge of the pitching rubber, and must be even or forward of the rubber. The screen may be moved forward as far as necessary to allow the pitcher necessary arm swing.
A batted ball hitting the screen will be treated as any foul ball. If the pitcher fields the ball in front of the screen, and his glove makes contact with the screen, it will be ruled a foul ball. Any batter who hits the pitching screen twice while batting will be called out.
Sliding is not recommended. You are encouraged NOT to slide. However, you are not out if you slide.
INTERFERENCE: Interference is the act of an offensive player or team member that impedes or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play. A base runner must avoid a fielder making a play. . A runner must make every effort to avoid colliding with opposing players while running the bases or sliding or diving. If in the umpire’s judgment a runner misses a base to avoid a collision, the runner will not be called out.
All batters will start with a 1-1 ball-strike count with one courtesy foul ball allowed.
Lady batter will decide if she wants to hit 11 inch ball. (note: city league adult co-ed changed to the 11 inch for women)
A runner will be called out for leaving his base before the pitched ball reaches home plate, is batted, or touches the ground before reaching home plate
Batting practice.. batter gets 7 contact swings. NOTE: this to ensure everyone gets some swings prior to the games starting on time.
Minimum number of players for a team on Tues/Thurs scrimmage games is 8. ie: need 32 to make 4 eights. (batting team furnishes catcher).
Courtesy Runner:
A base runner may request a courtesy runner once he/she has reached base. The coach may not insert a courtesy runner except at the express request of the base runner. The same courtesy runner may not be used more than once per inning. If the courtesy runner is on base when it is his/her turn at bat, he/she as the batter will be declared out. This rule may be waived by agreement of both coaches, when both are short-handed. A courtesy runner may not be used for the batter except when the batter is injured. The courtesy runner must start from the backstop behind home plate. The courtesy runner may not leave before the ball is struck. If the courtesy runner leaves early he/she will first be warned and if, at the same at bat, he/she leaves early, the batting team will be charged with an out. The courtesy runner may not advance past first base. If he/she does advance and interferes with the defensive play, interference will be called and the courtesy runner will be called out and base runners will not be permitted to advance
Commitment line. This line is located 30 feet from the point of home plate, measured along the 3rd base line
Outfield Encroachment Mark:
The restriction requires all outfielders to remain back of a spot marked on the fence/grass extending 200 ft. from home plate. Outfielders will be allowed to play anywhere on the grass surface when: 1) During a regular inning, the runner on 3rd base would be the 5th run scored; or 2) During an unlimited inning, the winning run is on 3rd base.
No outfielder can throw out a batter runner going from home to first.
Home run limit on All Games. ONE – UP.
If Team 1 hits a homerun (over the fence) they cannot hit another homerun until Team 2 hits a homerun. Each time Team 1 hits a homerun prior to Team 2 hitting homerun will be a double.
FOUL TIP
A foul tip is batted ball that goes directly from the bat, not higher than the batter’s head, to the catcher’s hand(s) or glove and is legally caught by the catcher. EFFECT: The ball is dead on all foul tips and the batter is out if it is the final strike.