Rules

Official Play In The Bay Sport & Social Coed Softball Rules

  • A "strike mat" will be used to determine strikes. If the softball touches any part of the mat on a legal pitch (6'-12' arc), it will be considered a strike.  Pitches touching any part of the plate WILL BE considered a strike as well (Because of the small size of the strike mat and the difficulty of pitching, the PBSSC has increased the strike zone to include the plate to promote teams to swing more and give pitchers a larger target).

 

  • All batters will start with a one ball, one strike count.

 

  • If a male is walked on 3 straight pitches (meaning no strikes were thrown and pitches were fouled off), and a female follows him in the batting order, the female has the choice to take a walk or bat.  Umps will enforce this rule upon request; however, they will not be responsible for notifying the batter in each walk situation. If the bases are already loaded when the male walks, the female can not take a walk.

 

  •  A batter with two strikes is allowed one foul ball.  Two fouls with two strikes and the batter is out.

 

  • All games are six innings or one hour (warm up time included); the last inning will start 10 - 15 minutes to the hour.  The ump will enforce this rule and will make the call at the top of the final inning. Note: Due to differing circumstances in each game, some games will finish short on an hour in length, while others might run over the hour mark.  Please respect your ump's call in this matter. The umpire must keep all games on time in fairness to teams playing later hours and due to facility permit restrictions.

 

  • Teams must have a minimum of 8 players (minimum of 2 women and maximum of 6 men) and a maximum of 10 players (minimum of 4 women) on the field at all times.  Teams cannot begin a game with less than 2 women; in the event that 2 women are not available for play at the start of the game, that team must forfeit the game.  (THERE ARE NO POSITION REQUIREMENTS of any players, i.e. there need not be 2 females in outfield and 2 in the infield). Every team is required to have a catcher.

 

  • Teams may bat more than ten players; however, these teams must bat the same ratio (2 guys followed by 1 female).  In situations where additional players wish to bat, the line up must follow the ratio, even if some women need to bat more than once in the batting order.
    ***Men CANNOT bat twice in the lineup to achieve the ratio if a team plays with more women than men.   Line-ups must be given to the ump prior to every game.
    i.e.

    • 6 men   4 women
    • 7 men   4 women
    • 8 men   5 women (1 out of 4 batting twice if needed)
    • 9 men   6 women (2 out of 4 batting twice if needed)
    • 10 men 6 women (2 out of 4 batting twice if needed)
    • 11 men 7 women (3 out of 4 batting twice if needed)
    • 12 men 8 women (4 out of 4 batting twice if needed)
    • Etc., etc., etc.
    • *6 men    2 women (both batting twice)  *If playing with the minimum # of people

You must bat a women every 3 batters

If only 2 women are present at game time, each woman must bat twice in the first 10 batters. If a team has less than the minimum required number of players it is up to the opponent and/or umpire as to what is allowable.

If 1 or more women need to bat twice in the lineup they must stay in the same order.  You can’t just send your strongest woman up twice every time through the lineup. Here’s an example of a lineup where a team has 6 men, but only 3 women present.

 

1st time through lineup                            2nd time through lineup
Guy 1 Guy 1
Guy 2 Guy 2
1st Female Spot - Girl 1 1st Female Spot - Girl 2
Guy 3 Guy 3
Guy 4 Guy 4
2nd Female Spot - Girl 2 2nd Female Spot - Girl 3
Guy 5 Guy 5
3rd Female Spot - Girl 3 3rd Female Spot - Girl 1
Guy 6 Guy 6
4th Female Spot - Girl 1 4th Female Spot - Girl 2

All players in the field must be listed in the batting order.  There are no designated hitters allowed. Any attempt at doing so must be brought to the attention of the umpire prior to game time and can only be deemed allowable by the opposing captain.

 

  • Inning run limit rule: There will be a 7-run limit per inning through innings 1-5. (Exception : unlimited runs may be scored if one of the innings 1-4 is declared the final inning of the game.) Unlimited runs may be scored in inning 6 or extra innings.

 

  • No leadoffs or stealing.  Runners can leave the base only when contact is made by the batter.  If a runner leaves early, the ball is dead and the runner is declared out.  If this is the 3rd out of the inning the batter will be first up in the next inning.

 

  • Batters must run to the side base at first, if a play is being attempted at first base.  Any batter who does not run to the side base will be called out for interference with the first baseman whether contact is made or not.

 

  • Outfielders are not allowed to throw out runners at first base.  Throws from the outfield to first base will result in a dead ball situation, with the runner awarded one additional base.

 

  • Outfielders are not allowed to throw to first base even after the runner reaches base.  Throws from the outfield to first base will result in a dead ball situation, with the runner awarded one additional base.

 

  • First basemen must allow the runner to reach the base and not interfere with the runner should she or he round first base toward second.  Interference will result in one additional base.
  • Outfielders are expected to use common sense when throwing home for plays at the plate.  Captains-if your catcher cannot handle throws from the outfield please assign the pitcher or an infielder to handle the throws.

 

  • Runners must run to the Home Plate designated Base to score a run.  This base will be extended from the corner of Home Plate closest to third base to the back stop.  Any runner running to the plate while a play is being attempted will be called out for interference with the catcher whether contact is made or not.

 

  • All plays at home plate will be a force out, once the runner crosses the commit line half way from Third Base.

 

  • Games start on time!!!  Teams must be prepared to play.

 

  • Forfeit rule: 10 minutes after game time.  Winning team will receive 7 runs. If one team has less than the minimum number of players (8 total, at least 2 females) at ten past the designated start time, it is up to the staff and opposing team as to what is allowable - this decision will ultimately be made by the staff.  Teams that to do show up without notice will be charged $50 which will go to the offended team.

 

  • Base runner to defensive player contact will be closely watched by the ump.  Any excessive contact or collision will result in an "out" and/or ejection. Sliding is allowed.  Any sliding into the designated home plate or a any base to break up a double play, or any intentional (in the eyes of the umpire) interference with the defensive player, the runner and the batter will be called out.

 

  • NO METAL SPIKES ARE ALLOWED.

 

  • NO COMPOSITE, DOUBLE or TRIPLE WALL BATS ARE ALLOWED.
    Any equipment in question should be brought to the attention of the umpire.  The umpire will make all final decisions with regard to equipment discrepancies.  The best way to know if your bat is legal or not is to check this website, http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Play-ASA/Certified-ASA-Equipment.aspxJust click “Go” under bats and then select your brand and click “Go”, or just display all brands.  Your bat needs to be listed as single-walled aluminum. Anything listed as multi-walled or composite is illegal and may not be used.  There may be some exceptions, please check with league manager.

 

  • A foul ball above the batter's head may be caught for an out.

 

  • All thrown balls are deemed out of play when:
    •  The ball is thrown over the fence·  The ball is thrown beyond the fence·  The ball is thrown beyond the imaginary line extending from the end of the backstop (if there is no fence).    
    •  This imaginary line applies to overthrows and caught fly foul balls.
    •  If the ball is overthrown and hits the fence behind the 1st or 3rd base lines, this is NOT considered out of play and the runner may advance, BUT at his/her own risk.
    •  On overthrows out of play, the runner is granted the base he/she is going to (at the point of the throw) plus one more.  Note: in cases where a base runner runs past first base, he/she must make a clearly aggressive turn towards second base to be granted 2nd and 3rd in overthrow situations.

 

 

  • On an infield fly (any fly ball within the infield with significant arc and deemed an "easy catch") with less than 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd or 1st, 2nd and 3rd, the batter is automatically out and runners can advance, BUT at their own risk.

 

  •  All outfielders must remain 10 paces off the infield when a female is up to bat.  If the "line" is not clearly marked it us up to the umpire's discretion if an outfielder is too close to the infield. There cannot be more than 6 players on the infield at any one time.  Once contact has been made the outfielders may cross the line. If an outfielder crosses the line before contact has been made the female may be awarded first base.

 

  •  In certain facilities a home run rule may apply.  (consult with your ump and/or PBSSC staff person to determine if a rule is in effect at your particular league.)

 

LEAGUE POLICIES

GAMES

During the regular season games are to be played within time allotted (warm up time is included).

 

UMPS

An umpire will be provided by the Play In The Bay Sport & Social Club to supervise the game. It will be the umpire's responsibility to coordinate and run the games, which include the following tasks:

  • Starting games on time.
  • Calling outs, making final calls on any disputed balls or strikes.
  • Settling all disputes or disputed calls.

It is understood that umps will assist in the tracking of the score and assist in any discrepancies with regards to the coed line-up ratios.  However, it is the responsibility of both teams to maintain their respective line-ups and scores each inning and prepare and hand their lineups to the umpire before the game start.

FORFEITS:

If your team forfeits a game during the season, the following rules apply:

First Offense: Loss of game and warning issued.

Second Offense: Loss of game and staff reserves the right to remove team from playoffs.

Third Offense: Removal from the league

If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we implore you to email the Commish. This does not mean that your team will not receive the loss and a forfeit.

Teams have until ten minutes past the designated start time to field a full squad (or the league minimum of players required according to rules). If at that time a team is unable to field a legal team, it will be up to the staff and the opposing captain to determine whether a team will receive a forfeit win or if a team will allow the opposing team to play a legal game with less than league minimum of players required according to the rules.

 

STANDINGS:

The updated standings will be posted weekly online. The standings will display each teams rank within its skill level. Rank is based on standing points (1 point for a win, 0 for a loss, -1 for a forfeit).  First tie-breaker is head to head matchups. Second tie-breaker is overall point differential.

 

PLAYOFFS:

Playoffs will begin immediately following the end of the regular season and will typically last 2 weeks. Playoffs are single elimination.

Seeding: Teams are seeded according to the standings at the end of the regular season.

WAIVERS:

In order to participate in the league, each participant must be on the official roster and have clicked through the waiver on playinthebay.com.  Captains, make sure every player is officially on your roster by registering through the league website.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

The purpose of Play In The Bay Sport and Social Club is to have fun. We hope that all participants keep that in mind when becoming involved. Although the games may become intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship. With this said, any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in suspension and/or ejection from a game or the league. Abuse of officials, referees, and other staff (physical or use of profanity) will not be tolerated. PBSSC reserves the right to remove a player from a game or a league if they are considered to be bringing down the quality of the league. PBSSC will not tolerate fighting! Fighting will be an automatic ejection from any game and in most cases ejection from the league for the remainder of the season.

STAFF:

To coordinate and run the league, our refs and/or staff will be available at all times to help the league run as smoothly as possible. If you have questions regarding schedules, policies, rule interpretations, directions to the bar, etc. please ask.

PRIZES/T-SHIRTS:

Each team will be given a maximum of 10 numbered PBSSC colored basketball shirts to wear as their team uniforms. The team that wins in the playoffs will receive championship prizes.

These policies are designed to make the league run as smoothly and safely as possible, and provide continuity for its participants. Each player in the league is responsible for this information: please advise your team of these rules and thanks for playing.