Softball Information and Rules

Mandatory Meeting

Time and place TBA. You must have a team representative attend the meeting. A refundable $20.00 forfeit fee is due at this time. (If your team does not forfeit you get the money back!)

Play-offs

To be eligible for the play-offs each player must play in two games with the team during the regular season and no forfeits are allowed. Playoffs may be limited to the top eight teams!

Mercy rule

If after 5 innings and team is ahead by 10 runs or more, the game will be declared over.

Team schedules

Schedules, scores, and information pertaining to Intramural events can be checked on the Intramural Bulletin Board, located in the ASC across from the computer lab or in the Fitness Center.

Forfeit Policy

Game time is forfeit time! The game will be forfeited if a team does not have enough players to play at the scheduled game time. You must call the Intramural Director by 3pm the day before a game if you know your team cannot play. It will be recorded as a loss, not a forfeit.

Protest

A protest concerning the eligibility of a player or a rule interpretation is the ONLY protest situations. An official's judgement cannot be protested. An eligibility protest must occur before the game starts or at the time of the rule misinterpretation and be resolved before play continues.

Rain outs

Decisions will be made by 3 p.m. If the weather deteriorates during a game it is the Supervisor's decision to call the game. If a game is called because of weather or darkness it will be considered over if four innings have been played.

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The Game, Players and Equipment

The Game

1. Game duration – Games are 50 minutes or 7 innings whichever comes first. No inning will start after time has expired. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, then extra innings will be played to determine the winner.
2. Pitching regulation – teams will pitch to their own team. Three pitches are allowed. The pitcher must begin his/her pitching motion with one foot on the pitching rubber. The pitch must have a minimum 6' and a maximum 12' arc. The pitcher may have two warm up pitches to start the inning.
3. Batting – Players must bat in the order listed on the scorecard. The batter should not interfere with the catcher by stepping out of the batters box (area) or intentionally hinder the catcher while in the batter box. The batter shall not step on, over, or in front of the plate to hit a ball.
4. Fair / Foul Ball – A fair ball is a ball that lands in fair territory between home and first base, home and third base, is on or over fair territory when bounding toward the outfield, touches first or third base, or first falls on fair ground beyond first or third base. A foul is a ball that does not meet the criteria for a fair ball. The foul line is in fair territory.
5. Infield Fly Rule – If there are less than two outs, with runners on first and second or the bases are loaded and a fly ball is hit to the infield the batter is out and runners may advance at their own risk.
6. Ball thrown into Dead Ball Territory – If a ball is thrown into dead ball territory on an overthrow, the runners are awarded one base from the last base obtained. The award will be based on the bases obtained at the time of the release of the throw.
7. No bunting.
8. Tiebreaker – If a game is tied after 5 innings or 45 minutes, extra innings will be played until the tie is broken. At the start of the 6th inning the last runner called out in the previous inning will start on second base. Each half of the inning will start with the last batter out from the previous inning starting on second base. Play will continue until one team outscores the other. During regular season there will be a 1 hour time limit. During playoffs the game will continue until there is a clear winner.

Players

1. The Players – the game shall be played between 2 teams of 9 players. Eight players are required to start or continue play. An extra player (EP) may be used to bat 10. The maximum number of players allowed on the roster is 18.
2. Substitutions – Substitutions may be made at any dead ball situation. Any of the starting players, including the EP, may be withdrawn and re-entered, provided they occupy the same batting order.
3. Persons Subject to the Rules – Team representatives including: players, substitutes, replaced players, coaches, fans, and other persons associated with the team are subject to the rules of the game and shall be governed by decisions of officials assigned to the game.
4. If a player is ejected, the following will apply:
1. The player must leave the building immediately.
2. The player is ineligible to participate until they meet with the Intramural Director.
5. All players must show TLU at each game to be able to play!

Equipment

1. Jewelry – Players are prohibited from wearing jewelry. Players must remove jewelry before playing. Players wearing jewelry may be called out, and / or removed from the game.
2. The ball – Game balls will be provided by the Intramural staff and teams must use these balls that have been provided. No exceptions.
3. Footwear – Shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes must be closed toe (no sandals). Only smooth pliable or hard rubber cleats are allowed. No screw-in cleats or metal spikes of any kind are allowed.
4. Bats – Only official softball bats are legal. The bats may be made of graphite, metal, magnesium, or any combination of these materials and not be longer than 34 inches. A legal bat should have a safety grip of cork or tape between 10 and 15 inches in length with a safety knob.
5. Gloves – Must be worn by all players

Ground Rules

1. Field – The dead ball area is the backstop extended down the first and third base lines. If the ball goes over the back fence, it is a home run. If the ball hits the fence, it is in play and the runners may advance. If the ball rolls under the fence or is trapped in the fence or bushes, the player must signal with both hands in the air. It will be a ground rule double. Exception: If, in the judgement of the official, the fielders do not make an effort to retrieve the ball while in play, it will be the officials' judgment as to where to place the runners. The dugout area is out of play.
2. Home Run Rule – Teams may have no more than four more homeruns than their opponent. Only home run balls that are hit over the fence will count towards the limit. If a team exceeds the four over homerun limit it will be counted as an out.
3. Sliding Rule – Sliding is legal at all bases. If a slide intentionally hinders a play, the official will rule out sliding player. No head first sliding.

Co-Rec Modifications

1. Players – At least 8 players are needed to start or continue play (must have a catcher). You must have a female for every male, but you can have extra females.
2. Batting order – must alternate sexes. It is legal to bat more females than males.

 
 
Campus Recreation Director: Debbie Roberts ext. 6762