The
Intramural Sports Program
Fall Ball Softball Rules
The Game
1. A game will be six innings or a 55
minute time limit, whichever comes first.
a. If at the end of 55 minutes an inning is still in progress
it shall be completed, but if the home team is ahead when they come to bat the
game is over.
b. The
ten (10) run rule will be in effect after three innings.
c. In
case of inclement weather, an official game will be three (3) completed innings.
d. Games
ending in a tie will be recorded as a tie during the regular season.
2. A forfeit will be declared if a team cannot field at least
eight (8) players by game time.
Players and Substitutes
1. Each team is required to provide a non-player to keep the
score sheet during the game, who will sit together and
report the score at the end of each turn at bat.
a. If a non-player scorekeeper is not available, a protest over
the score can not be made by that team.
2. A team shall consist of ten (10) players in the field and an
extra player (EP) to bat (if they choose to do so)
a. A
team may play with a minimum of eight (8) players.
b. Any team who starts with less than the required number of players, may add a 9th or 10th player to the bottom of the
line-up but only at the top of an
inning.
c. If a team starts with less than the required amount (10
players), an out will be recorded in the empty slots. (the
empty slots shall be at the end of the line up)
3. Free substitutions will be allowed but players must always
remain in the same batting order.
a. All
substitutes must be reported to the plate umpire who will notify the scorekeeper and
opposing team.
Equipment
1. "Official Softball" bats may
only be used during the games.
2. 12 in. MSP COR .47 ASA approved softball or a softball
provided by intramurals may only be used during men’s or women’s games.
11 in. MSP COR .47 ASA approved
softball may be used only during women’s games.
3. Any type of fielding
glove may be worn during the games.
4. All catchers must wear a
fielding glove and a catchers mask.
5. Tennis shoes or rubber cleated
shoes may only be worn during the games. Cleats
with metal spikes will not be allowed.
a. No
bare feet, No sandals, and No flip flops.
Pitching
1. The pitcher shall take a position with both feet firmly on
the ground and with one or both feet in contact with the pitcher's plate.
a. Prior to pitching, the pitcher must come to a full and
complete stop with the ball in front of the body and facing the batter for at
least one (1) second before delivery.
b. The pitcher's pivot foot must be in contact with the
pitcher's plate throughout the delivery.
c. The ball may only pass by the pitchers waist one time in one
continuous motion.
2. The ball must be delivered with a perceptible arc and reach
a height of at least six (6) feet from the ground, while not exceeding a
maximum height of twelve (12) feet.
3. The strike zone is that space over any part of the plate
which is between the batter's highest shoulder and his knees when the batter
assumes a natural stance.
Batting
1. If a team is playing with less than ten (10) players,
missing players at bat will count as an automatic out when it's their turn at
bat.
2. The batter may not bunt or chop down on
the ball.
a. The
batter is out and all players must return to their original base.
3. After a batter has two strikes, he/she
will be declared out if he/she hits a foul ball.
Base-running
1. Base runners may not leave their bases until the ball
crosses the plate or is hit by the batter.
a. All runners who leave their bases early will be called out
and the ball is dead.
2. When a defensive player has the ball and the runner remains
on his/her feet and deliberately with great force, crashes into the defensive
player; the runner is out, the ball is dead and each base runner must return to
the last base touched at the time of the collision.
a. If the defensive player was attempting to make a play on
another runner at the time of the collision, both runners will be called out,
and an automatic ejection from the game for the offensive player that initiated
the contact.
b. If
the act is determined flagrant or intentional the offender shall be ejected.
The Playing Field
1. Due to the close
proximity of Intramural Softball fields, players are warned to be alert to
action on the nearby field and courteous enough to suspend their play (whenever
possible) when action conflicts.
2. Restraining Line: Running parallel to first and third base is a
5 yard restraining line. Any ball that
is not fielded before going on or outside this line shall be considered out of
play (dead ball). This line acts as an
imaginary wall and a fielder may play the ball before crossing the line. In this case, the ball remains live. If a fielder carries the ball past the
restraining line, the ball is dead, and all runners will be awarded one
base. (In effect on
IM-2 and IM-4).
3. On overthrows that go past the restraining line or settle on
the line, all base runners will be awarded two bases. This takes place at the time of a throw, not
when it goes out of bounds. For example,
if a runner is advancing towards first base, but has not reached first base
yet, and the ball is thrown over the first baseman's head, the runner gets the
base he is going to plus one, in this case, second base. As a second example, if the runner going to
first base has already crossed the base before the ball is thrown, and then
it's thrown over the first baseman's head, he gets the base he is going to,
which would be second base, plus one, which in this case would be third
base. (In effect on
IM-2 and IM-4).
4. Any foul ball hitting trees on IM-4 will be a dead
ball. All balls hitting trees on IM-4
from IM-3 will be "all you can get."
5. Any batted ball that is beyond the outfielders and hits a
player from the other field will still be alive. If the batted ball is not beyond the
outfielders and someone on the other field interferes with the ball, it is a
ground rule double.
Guidelines
The
USM Intramural Sports Softball Program will abide by the Amateur Softball
Association official guide and playing rules outside the above local
modifications.
A current Southern Miss I.D. must be presented to the supervisor at
game time.
NO I.D. - NO PLAY- NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!