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NJ Play Sports Co-ed Softball Tournament Rules

CO-ED SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT RULES

10 v 10 Co-ed Softball Tournament Rules

 

SUMMARY


Spring Slam Co-ed Softball League Rules

10 players on the field minimum of (3) male plays and minimum of (3) female player

8 players, including 1 of each gender required at game time to avoid a forfeit
Modified arc pitching rules: arc must be between 6' and 12'
All players present on each team are required to bat
No Bunting!
Any dangerous hits up the middle of the field will result in an out! (Umpire's Discretion)

No Metal Cleats allowed

No more than 3 of each gender may bat in a row in the batting order

Game will consist of 6 innings or 45 minutes whichever comes first
The last inning will always be completed
One inning will be played if the game is tied after 6 innings (
IF time permits) Tie games at game completion with result in a tie for each team
Games called after 3 innings will be considered a complete game
There is a 7 run limit per inning except in the sixth inning
All players must arrive on-time to avoid forfeiture of game(Game time is forfeit time)
All Softball games are RAIN or SHINE (unless hazardous conditions)

No mercy rule. Teams play until time limit
Any unsportsmanlike conduct will result in that player/team being suspended/ removed from participating in future NJ Play activities, at the discretion of NJ Play officials.

Questions for the referee: only the team captain is allowed to ask the head referee for rule clarification. If it is a judgment call, the referees can confer with each other and the team captains for discussion, but players and/or captains are not allowed to question judgment calls.

Start of Game

Referee will have two captains shoot rock/paper/scissors, odds/evens, or coin flip.
Winning captain selects if they would like to take the field first or bat first (home or away team)

Each Team must present a Line-up at this time
Each Softball Captain should inquire about Home Runs and Ground Rule Doubles

Clock Time

A Softball game consists of 6 Innings or 45 minutes, whichever comes first One inning will be played if the game is tied after 6 innings IF time permits The last inning will always be completed
No new inning will begin after 40 minutes on the game clock

If the game is called after three complete innings it will be considered a completed game
To keep the game moving there are no warm-up pitches between innings, teams should hustle on and off the field. A pitcher will be allowed three warm-up pitches during their first inning taking the pitcher's mound
Please give yourself plenty of time to warm up prior to the start of your game

Mercy Rule

No mercy rule. Teams will play until the time limit

Equipment

We will supply Softballs, Bases, Safety Bases, and the strike mat.  

PLAYERS must supply their own Gloves and Bats
Softball Bats outlawed by the ASA are not allowed Gloves must be worn at all times while playing the field

Optional equipment includes: Cleats (no metal spikes)

Batting Gloves

Batting Helmets

Softball Rules

We follow the ASA Rules of Softball with the exceptions list below
Only
captains can discuss a rule with the umpire and no judgment calls will be discussed. Players will be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct towards an umpire

Number of Players in the Field

The maximum number of players on the field is 10, including at least a minimum of (3) male plays and minimum of (3) female player
Teams cannot have more than 6 players in the infield (including the pitcher and catcher)

Outfielders must start at least 10 yards behind the infield and remain there until the ball is hit
A player arriving late may be added to the bottom of the line-up
Free substitution will be allowed during each half inning

Number of Players in the Batting Order/Line-up

All players present on each team are required to bat
No more than 3 of each gender may bat in a row in the batting order
      -Either gender may need to bat more than once through the batting order
This needs to be noted on the line-up card before the start of the game
A player in the batting order does not have to play the field but a play in the field must be in the batting order

No players can be dropped from the batting order without extenuating

circumstances or injury.

Batting Out of Order

If the error is discovered while the incorrect batter is hitting, then the correct batter will assume the ball/strike count of the incorrect batter
If the error is discovered when the batter reaches base safely and the error is discovered, the correct batter will be called out and all runners will return to their original bases

The opposing team must make the umpire aware of batting out of order before a

pitch is made to the next batter. If not the incorrect batter stays on base.

Pitch Arc

The arc on pitches must be between six feet and twelve feet above the ground An "illegal pitch" will be called if the ball is not pitched with in these limits
An "illegal pitch" will result in a ball, unless a batter swings
If a batter swings anyway the outcome of the swing will be used

The Count

All batters will start with a one ball/one strike count.

Strike zone

A strike mat will be used to determine the strike zone.
The mat is placed touching home plate closest to the catcher
If any part of the ball touches home plate or the softball strike mat, on a fly, it will be considered a strike (must be a legal pitch)

 

Foul Ball

Foul balls will count as strikes regardless of the pitch count

A foul ball with two strikes will result in the batter being out

 

Hits up the middle (player safety)

An imaginary line will be drawn approximately 2 feet from the side of the mound on either side.

Any dangerous hits up the middle between these lines will result in an out! (Umpire's Discretion) If a ball is hit above the pitcher's head (considered to be beyond arm's reach when the pitcher is flat footed), the play may be allowed. Determination of height is at the discretion of the umpire. 

 

Base Running

A courtesy runner may be used in the case of an injury. The last player of the same sex must be used to replace the injured runner
No Leading or Stealing, both of these infractions will result in the base runner being called out

Base Runners must use safety softball bases at first and home plate.
Collisions resulting in not running to the safety base will result in an automatic out A runner who moves more than two steps out of the base path is considered out Runners must avoid fielders attempting to field a hit
A runner who is hit with a ball in fair territory will be ruled out (runners interference)
If a fielder is blocking a base waiting to receive a throw the runner will be ruled safe (fielders interference)
A Ball thrown out of play will result in the runner being awarded the base they are advancing towards plus an additional base
It is the runners responsibility to avoid collision as much as possible (Malicious intent will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct)

 

Commit Rule

A commit line exists halfway between third base and home plate. The boundary will be marked by a colored cone.
As the runner approaches home plate, if he or she crosses the commit line, then he or she cannot return to third base.

If there is a fly ball and a runner crosses the commit line before the ball is played by the fielder, he or she will be called out if the ball is caught because he or she cannot tag up at third base

 

Infield Fly Rule

Any fly ball within the infield with significant height and deemed an easy catch with less than two outs and runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded
The runner is called out and the play is dead

 

Sportsmanship
Our ultimate goal is for you to have fun. Please keep this in mind while participating. While games may become intense, please maintain sportsmanship. Any behavior or abusive language to another player or referee, and is considered unacceptable by the referee, may result in suspension or ejection from a game or the league

 

Throwing Softball Bats

A warning will be issued to players who throw their bat after hitting the ball

Following occurrences will result in the batter being called out

 

Tie Breakers for Playoffs/Seedings

Head-to-head games (among all tied teams)

Record against other teams in or tied for playoffs

Number of wins
Record against next best common opponent

Runs scored against