WOODLAND SENIOR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION – JACK SLAVEN LEAGUE

2017 RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. The spirit and intent of this league and these rules are to foster close, competitive games among friends. SAFETY is our utmost concern. Any player sliding INTO a base will be called out; however, diving or sliding BACK to a base is allowed. Runner needs to be tagged out when going back to the bag.
  1. Managers must police players. Only one person (manager or a designated player) will discuss any game situations. All players are expected to participate in their game unless injured. A team must have eight (8) players to officially begin a game – teams with less than eight team players will officially be a loss, but pickup players can be added to field a team to play the game. All assigned games will be played. Support players will have no defensive restrictions other than bat last in the order. See Rule #3.
  1. The pick-up player will bat last and only be allowed a single base; any runner on base will advance one base only if forced. No on base player can advance on a sacrifice fly and a pick-up player cannot be a protected player.
  1. There is a line perpendicular to the regular home plate; a base runner must PASS the home plate “line” before the ball reaches the home plate to be called safe. Defensive players must touch home plate for a put out. Any player touching the strike mat or home plate will be called out.
  1. Base runners touching or passing the commitment line, twenty (20) feet from home plate are committed to advance to home. A runner cannot retreat back to third base once he passes the commitment line, violation results in a put out. Tagging the runner is not permitted after the runner has crossed the commitment line; violation the runner will be declared safe. Defensive players must touch home plate for a put out.
  1. A double bag will be used at first base. For plays at first base the defensive player must use the WHITE bag in fair territory and the runner must use the ORANGE bag in foul territory. If there is a collision or interference at first base and the runner did not utilize the orange bag, he will be called out.
  1. Base runners are permitted to overrun second and third bases without being called out—unless they make an obvious attempt to advance to the next base. If the runner runs through the base and then decides to advance, HE MUST RETOUCH THE BASE HE OVERRAN or he will be called out.
  1. All bases will be ruled as a forced out. All base runners are responsible to veer away from the base line to avoid a collision with a defensive player with or without a double play attempt. Any runner SLIDING or involved in a COLLISION at 2nd and 3rd base will be called out and ejected from that game and the next game. Defensive players will not tag an INBOUND runner coming into 2nd or 3rd base within five (5) feet of the base.
  1. All batters are guaranteed first base if a batted ball reaches the outfield safely; however, a batter must run from home plate to first base. Courtesy runners will be permitted at any time. Any players on the team can be a courtesy runner but can only run once per inning. If a courtesy runner runs more than once per inning, the runner will be called out when he touches the base. A player that is on a base as a courtesy runner and it is his turn at bat will be declared out; removed from the base and the next batter in the lineup will be due up.
  1. When at bat, ANY BATTER THAT HITS THE PITCHING SCREEN TWICE IS OUT!
  1. Every player steps into the batter’s box with a one and one count (one (1) strike and one (1) ball). The second foul ball after two (2) strikes is an OUT.
  1. An equalizer a ONE-UP home run rule will be in effect. The rule is as follows: If Team 1 hits an over the fence homerun they cannot hit another homerun until Team 2 hits a homerun. Team 2 has the opportunity to hit 2 homeruns (1 to even homeruns and an additional to go 1 up). If an over the fence homerun is hit before the other team hits one, it will be called a walk.
  1. The arch of the pitch must be six (6) to twelve (12) feet. A ball that drops on the mat or the plate is a strike. In the interest of safety, the pitcher is allowed to pitch up to six (6) feet behind the pitching rubber. A pitching screen WILL be used by all pitchers; protective pitching gear is also advised. The pitching screen will be positioned four (4) to five (5) feet in front of the mound and base of the screen must be in line with one-half of the pitching rubber.
  1. The five run rule will be in effect throughout the entire game except for the last inning, the last inning will be played as an “open inning”.
  1. Scheduled game times are 6:30 and 7:45 pm. Check time with UMP on game two start. All games will be 60 minutes and will start at the assigned timeslot. When time expires during an inning, that inning will be completed and the open inning will follow. If time permits, an extra inning may be used to break the tie game using the international rules where the last batter who made the last out will start on second base. The FIVE RUN RULE will be in place.
  1. Unless specified before each game, protected batters will be the number 3 & 4 in the lineup. The protected batters, if walked, will get two bases and any runners on base will also advance two bases.
  1. BOTH TEAMS are expected to assist with the field setup and closing. This will include: Unlocking and relocking all 6 screen doors on their field; putting away the pitchers screen; collecting and returning softballs; policing the dugouts and field. League officials will ensure that the softball complex is secured before leaving the facility.
  1. On the ball field WITHOUT AN INTERIOR FENCE-- teams may have five (5) outfielders; this means you can have 11 players on the field. All outfields must be positioned BEHIND the coed line. If a team does not have 11 players, they may pick up extra players to make an 11 player team.
  1. The runners on first or third will be allowed to move into foul territory – laterally; - for safety from a pull hitter. Runners must tag the base before advancing.
  1. NO FLIP FLOP OPTIONS.
  1. A team will forfeit a run for every player not wearing a team sponsored shirt.
  1. All rules not covered in this body will be governed by the current N.C.S.S.A. and A.S.A softball rules.

W.S.S.A RULES COMMITTEE

Revised February 2017

W.S.S A. 2017 Rules 1 | Page