Show Teams

Rules

All rules will follow that of Softball Canada with the following changes and additions.

The Game:

  • No umpires are provided. It is assumed that players will be able to agree on calls in the spirit of fair play. In the event of a close/questionable play, a coin toss will determine the final call.

  • A team may field no more than 10 players. No more than two may be within 15 m from home plate and no more than six may be within 34 m of home plate before a pitched ball has been hit by the batter.

  • Batting order is determined by scorebook list. Players arriving late may be added to the bottom of the list.

  • A default may be called if a team has fewer than 7 people. If teams cannot field enough players to make the minimum team-size requirements, the two teams may still play pick-up.

  • A game will last six innings or 80min. - whichever comes first. A game must end on a complete inning. Time slots are 5:30-7:00 and 7:00-8:30 pm. This allows 90 minutes for warmup and game play.

  • Regardless of when the game starts, it may not extend more than 5 min. into the next time slot.

  • A second home or "safety" plate is to be placed 2 meters from and adjacent to home plate, in foul territory and in line with the first baseline. If the second home plate or base cannot be used then a line should be used instead. Baserunners running home must run to the safety plate/line only.

  • Distances between bases: 60 feet (approximately 20 paces)

  • No more than 5 runs may be scored per inning, except in the last inning.

  • In the last inning, if the home team is more than 10 runs behind, and time is limited, the game will be ended.

General Playing Rules:

Baserunning:

  • The ball is live on a hit and stays live until such time as all attempts to throw out baserunners are completed and the ball is returned to the pitcher. Baserunners cannot make any contact with a fielder while she/he is attempting to field the ball. In situations where contact is unavoidable, runners should slow their momentum. Runners must not try to “jar” the ball loose by running into a fielder. Runners are permitted to dive back to a base in a situation where they overran second or third.

  • Baserunners can go back to first base without being tagged out regardless of whether he/she turns left or right after she/he touches the bag. If the runner makes/shows an attempt to go to 2nd then the runner can be tagged out.

  • All batters must run to first base (i.e. no pinch runners for the batter from home to first) following a hit. In a pinch runner situation, a player may be substituted at first base. In case of an injury to the batter, the team with the injured player can ask the opposing team for an exception to this rule so that there can be a pinch runner from home.

  • On an overthrow where the ball goes out of play all baserunners are awarded the base they were going toward plus one more. The award (given once the play is ruled dead) is determined from the time the ball left the fielder's hand which caused the overthrow.

  • Fielders must not intentionally block bases especially if there is no play at their base. (Note: This is also dangerous as it may lead to collisions and injury.)

  • No base stealing allowed.

  • There is no leading off

  • The in-field fly rule is waived

  • Sliding is allowed, except at first and home.

  • The catcher can only get the runner out by stepping on home plate when they are in legal possession of the ball. If the baserunner touches the safety bag before the catcher touches home plate, the runner is safe. If both teams agree at the start of the game, a line can be used instead of a safety plate. In that situation, runners going home would have to cross that line (one foot across and on the ground) before the catcher caught the ball with his/her foot on home plate. The line should be drawn perpendicular to the front of home plate.

Pitching and Batting:

  • The Pitcher is provided by the team at bat. A Pitcher's Plate must be marked on the field at 40 feet (approx. 13 paces).

  • The ball can be pitched in whatever manner the batter wishes

  • Each batter receives a maximum of 4 pitches from their own pitcher. If the batter is unable to hit one of the 4 pitches into fair territory, the batter is out. No balls or strikes are called. No walks are issued.

  • The pitcher cannot field any batted ball. If a pitcher plays the ball, the batter is automatically out. The pitcher must be alert enough to get out of the way of any plays being made in the infield.

  • All attending players can bat whether they play in the field or not. They bat in regular order regardless of whether they played the inning before.

  • No Bunting allowed.