I           RULES COMMITTEE

The Rules and Regulations Committee shall consist of one or more representatives appointed by the Commissioner.  The Committee shall interpret, amend, add, and delete rules and regulations and submit the changes to the Board of Directors for approval.

All rule and regulation changes must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Rule and Regulation changes adopted during the season shall supersede all other rules stated in the general text.

Suggestions for rule changes must be submitted in writing to the Winter Haven Senior Softball Board.

II            GOVERNING AUTHORITY

Current ASA Senior Softball rules will govern all games, except as modified by the Winter Haven Senior Softball (WHSS) Board of Directors.

III            ELIGIBILITY

            Players must be 55 years or older to participate.

            A player’s age is determined by his birth date/age in the current calendar year.

IV            PERSONAL CONDUCT

            No smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed on the softball complex premises during any game.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, profane language, immoral gestures, disputes on umpire decisions or verbal abuse of an umpire or player will not be tolerated.  Penalty for such misconduct may result in ejection and/or suspension.

Any player who walks off the field/out of the game by his own choice shall be treated as if he were ejected from the game and will thereafter be ruled out at each subsequent turn at bat.  Further disciplinary action may be levied by the Board of Directors.

V            SUMMER NON-LEAGUE PLAY

            1            All players must sign in by 8:30 a.m.  Game time is 9:00 a.m.

            2            Summertime team numbers will be as follows:

                        A            27 up to 35 players – 3 teams of 9 or more

                        B            36 players or more – 4 teams of 9 or more

                        C            Less than 27 players – 2 teams

                        If a team has 10 or more players, they will field 11.

3            Summer Base running substitutions:

If a player requests a runner whether said runner is used from home plate or not, the player, or his assigned runner may only advance to first base initially and thereafter for the duration of the game.

Substitute runners will be allowed when the batter reaches base and the batter requests a runner.  Thereafter in that game the player who requested a substitute or his assigned runner may only advance to first base.

If a team has nine (9) players or less, a player may run more than one time each inning for a batter; or a player from the sitting team, in three (3) team games may run for a batter.   A runner can be substituted for a runner when necessary.

The courtesy runner for a batter shall stand not more than three (3) feet from the backstop with both feet behind a line drawn at an angle from home plate to the backstop.  The runner shall not begin running until the ball touches the ground or is hit by the batter.  The runner may be called out by the umpire if he begins running too early, and the ball thrown will be ruled a NO PITCH.

Any umpire can call out a courtesy runner from the designated point behind home plate or any other runner occupying a base if a runner begins his forward motion before the ball is hit or touches the ground.  The ball thrown will be ruled a NO PITCH.

4          There is no time limit; however all games are set at nine (9) innings.  Should a game be tied at the end of nine (9) innings, play will continue for one (1) additional inning.  At the end of one (1) inning of play, if the score is still tied, the game will end in a tie score.

            Play involving three (3) teams will be seven (7) inning games.  No extra inning will be played for three (3) team games.

5          At the discretion of the Commissioner, games may, due to weather, be less than nine (9) or seven (7) innings.

VI            SEASON LEAGUE PLAY

            League play will have two (2) divisions.

            National League – age seventy (70) and over and;

            American League – age fifty-five (55) through sixty-nine (69) years of age.

            Note:  These ages may be adjusted to allow for a balance in each division.

            ALL players must be on the field no later than 9:00 a.m.

            Pool players must sign in no later than 9:00 a.m.

            Games time is 9:30 a.m.

            Games can begin early if all players and umpires are present and managers agree.

No player will be allowed to play during league competition unless he is wearing one of the current year team shirts and hat.

Pool players must bring both shirts to each game and wear the matching shirt for the team they are selected on.

Umpire shirt(s) and hat(s) must also be worn by assigned umpires.

A game is considered official after five (5) innings or four and one-half (4-1/2) if the home team is ahead.  One extra inning will be played when teams are tied after regulation play (nine (9) innings).

Cancelled games will be made up the next time the teams meet by playing a doubleheader that day.  Both games of the double header will be seven (7) innings with a fifteen (15) minute break between games.

The home team will use the third (3^rd) base dugout and the visiting team will use the first (1^st) base dugout.

Players and Substitutes:  A team must have a minimum of nine (9) players to start or continue a game or the team will forfeit the game.  A maximum of eleven (11) defensive players are allowed on the field. 

Additional players in the lineup, not playing on defense, may replace any defensive player in the field at any time, without restrictions, but all players must maintain their original batting order.

If a roster (or pool) player is present at the start of a softball game, he must be placed in the continuous batting order of his team, but may be used defensively in whatever manner, if any, deemed appropriate in the sole discretion of the team manager.

If a team creates a forfeit due to limited players, less than nine (9) roster players, a game will still be played.

VII            BATTING CONSIDERATIONS

Any batter who is not ready to hit after a thirty (30) second delay when it is his turn will be assessed one (1) strike.  After a further thirty (30) second delay, if the batter is still not ready an additional strike will be assessed and the batter will be declared out.  No pitches need be thrown for the strikes to be called, only the lapse of time.  Next batter in the order will be up.

A batter shall be called out, on appeal to the umpire, for batting out of order. The appeal must be made before the next pitch to the following batter. If the error is discovered at any time after the batter steps into the batter’s box and play resumes, the correct batter will bat and assume the current count of balls and strikes.

A batter will be declared out if he carries his bat to first base.

A player who has declared prior to the start of a game his need to leave the game at a pre-determined time will be declared out only on his first (1^st) at bat after his departure and will be skipped in the batting order thereafter.

An injured player, unable to continue play, will be declared out only on his first (1^st) at bat after the injury and will be skipped in the batting order thereafter.  The injured player, however, may not re-enter the game at a later time.

VIII            FIELDING CONSIDERATIONS

1                    Double Bag:  A double bag shall be used at first base.  The runner shall use the outside bag (normally orange in color) and the infielder uses the inside bag whenever a force play is being made on the runner.  The runner is automatically declared OUT when there is a force play being made at first base and the runner touches only the inside bag (white in color).  No appeal is necessary. On an errant throw that forces the defensive player off the white bag, any bag may be used by the runner to prevent a collision. The offensive runner may use the inside bag if a play at first (1^st) base is not imminent, such as a base hit.

2                    Alternate Home Plate:  An alternate home plate shall be placed eight (8) feet in foul territory, directly in line with the first (1^st) base foul line, but on the third (3^rd) base side of the normal home plate. To prevent injuries from tag plays, all plays at home are force plays!  The defensive player needs only catch and be in possession of the ball while in contact with the normal home plate or mat before the runner makes contact with the alternate home plate to record an out on the runner.  If the defensive player merely tags the runner after the runner has passed the “commitment line”, it is not recorded as an out on that runner and the runner is deemed safe at home plate.  A runner who touches the “regular home plate” rather than the alternate home plate is automatically OUT.  No appeal is necessary.

3                    Commitment Line:  There will be an intersecting line drawn across the third (3^rd) base line, twenty (20) feet from home plate.  Once a runner crosses this line, he must proceed towards the second home plate, without returning to third (3^rd) base.  The defensive player with the ball must touch the original home plate or mat for the runner to be declared out.  Once a runner crosses the commitment line, he may NOT be tagged out.

4                    Defensive Placement of Players:  All outfield players must play on or behind the designated line (180 feet) from home plate, until the ball is hit.

All infielders, including the middle infielder, must play on the infield dirt until the ball is hit.

All infielders are required to play on or behind the baseline prior to the ball being hit.  No player other than the pitcher shall be allowed inside the baseline from first to second and second to third prior to the ball being hit.  If an out is made and any defensive player has violated these rules, the batter will be awarded first base.  No out will be recorded and forced base runners will advance.

5                    Pitching Screen:  The pitching screen is provided for safety purposes only and is not intended to be used as a defensive aid.  One (1) leg of the pitching screen shall be within the parameter of the pitching rubber at all times. 

·        For right handed pitchers, the screen must be positioned to their left.

·        For left handed pitchers, the screen must be positioned to their right.

·        The screen must be placed an “adequate distance” in front of the pitching rubber to allow the pitcher to step behind the screen without taking a step back.

·        A batter will be declared safe if a pitcher fields a ball without first stepping behind the screen.

·        An umpire at home plate may call a pitch “illegal” if the pitcher does not step behind the screen after delivery.

·        All batted balls hitting the pitching screen are considered dead balls and no penalties are to be incurred.

·        Any thrown ball that is in live play and hits the screen is considered a live ball and runners may advance at their own risk.

6                    Pitching Regulations:  To be legal, the ball must be delivered with a perceptible arc and reach a height of six (6) feet from the ground, while not exceeding a height of twelve (12) feet from the ground. Legal pitches striking any portion of the Strike Zone Mat or the Actual Home Plate will be called a strike.  The umpire shall call “ILLEGAL” on a pitch above or below the required height and said pitch will be called a “ball”.  However, if a batter swings at or makes contact with any “illegal” pitch, said call is nullified and all play stands.  The “Four (4) Ball, Three (3) Strike format will be followed.  The beginning count will be One (1) ball and One (1) strike when each batter comes up to bat.  After two (2) strikes on the batter, any ball hit foul and not caught by a fielder or any swing by the batter without bat contact with the ball shall be recorded as a strike-out.  In the judgment of the umpire, a foul ball caught by the catcher must have been “popped-up” higher than the batter’s head for the batter to be rule OUT.

IX            EQUIPMENT

1        Unless specified otherwise, all production softball bats are allowed.  Bats that have been modified are prohibited.

2        No bat bags, gloves or personal equipment are to be hung on the dugout fence or kept on the dugout bench.

X            UMPIRES

The team manager or assistant is the only person on a team allowed to discuss rule interpretations with the umpire.  As a courtesy, the umpire will usually give a brief explanation of the call.  The umpire is the final authority and the ruling will be made before the next pitch is thrown.

In the absence of umpires, the team at bat shall provide a home plate umpire to call balls, strikes, foul balls and home plate calls.

The first base umpire/coach will call plays at first (1^st) base.  The third (3^rd) base umpire/coach will call plays at third (3^rd) base and second (2^nd) base.

In three (3) team games, the sitting team will provide the home plate umpire and first (1^st) and third (3^rd) base umpires.

Managers will do their best to assign qualified coaches and/or umpires at first (1^st) and third (3^rd) base.

XI            RUNNING BASES

1        A runner advancing extra bases on a hit must touch each base when proceeding to the next base.  A proper appeal play may consider the runner out if he fails to touch a base.

2        Sliding or diving into a base is allowed, except at first base or the second home plate.

3        Diving back to a base is permitted (including first base).

4        If a runner overruns a base, he is in jeopardy of being tagged out before he returns to the base.  The base runner must be tagged for an out to be recorded if he is not forced to the base.  When a runner is advancing to second or third base and the base is blocked by a defensive player fielding the ball, the runner must veer out of the base path or slide to avoid contact.  If the runner does not veer out of the way or slide to avoid contact, the runner will automatically be declared out. 

Additionally, if the runner’s action(s) impedes the opportunity for a double play, whether or not the attempt was made, the runner advancing to first (1^st) base or second (2^nd) base shall be declared out.

If the runner beats or ties the throw to the base, the runner will be SAFE.

5        Courtesy Runner:  During the league season, the manager will determine when a runner is needed and do so at any time before the first pitch to a batter. Substituting a runner after a pitch has been thrown is considered a violation and the courtesy runner shall be called out. No appeal is necessary.

The courtesy runner for a batter shall stand not more than three (3) feet from the backstop with both feet behind a line drawn at an angle from home plate to the backstop.  The runner shall not begin running until the ball touches the ground or is hit by the batter.  The runner may be called out by the umpire if he begins running too early, and the ball thrown will be ruled a NO PITCH.

A courtesy runner for the batter at home plate may not advance beyond first base under any circumstances.  He may advance only after the next batter has hit the ball into play, or a walk is awarded the batter.

Any player who has not used a courtesy runner may be a courtesy runner one time per inning.

A runner may not be substituted for a courtesy runner (except in the case of an injury).

In the case of an injury, a player may request a runner.  The runner shall replace the injured player at the base where the injured player requested a runner.

A courtesy runner whose turn at bat comes while they are on base will be out.  (The courtesy runner will be removed from base and take his turn at bat.)

Any umpire can call out a courtesy runner from the designated point behind home plate or any other runner occupying a base if a runner begins his forward motion before the ball is hit or touches the ground.  The ball thrown will be rule a NO PITCH.

XII            FIELDER OBSTRUCTION

1        A defensive player may not be situated in the path of a base runner when the defensive player is not fielding the ball.  If the defensive play obstructs the runner, the runner will be awarded, in the umpire’s judgment, the base to which he would have reached.

2        An obstruction call will be enforced when a defensive player is stationed on a base, thereby causing the base runner to alter his path, if the fielder is not being thrown the ball.  The base runner will be awarded, in the umpire’s judgment, the base he would have reached.

XIII       FIVE RUN RULE

The leading team may only score five (5) runs in any inning, except for the last inning, and any extra inning, when run scoring is unlimited.  Any team that is behind by less than five (5) runs may score five (5) runs to take the lead.  A team that is behind by more than five (5) runs may score as many runs as needed to tie the score with the leading team.

XIV       FLIP FLOP RULE

In order for the Flip Flop Rule to be used, the visiting team must be ahead by ten (10) or more runs going into the last inning of the game.  This means the visiting team will have to be ahead by ten (10) or more runs by the end of the eighth (8^th) inning of a nine (9) inning ball game, or the end of the sixth (6^th) inning of a seven (7) inning ball game.  For example, after the sixth (6^th) or eighth (8^th) inning of the game is complete, if the visiting team (team A) is ahead by ten (10) runs or more, they will DEFER their turn at bat to the home team (team B).  After three (3) outs have been made by Team B in the six (6^th) or eighth (8^th) inning, the bases will be cleared and Team B will be at bat again.  If after three (3) outs have been made in the last inning, if Team B catches up to or goes ahead of Team A, then Team A will have the opportunity to bat again.  The Flip Flop Rule will only be in effect for a two (2) team game, and will primarily be used during league play.  However, if there is a consensus of players on the field during non-league times, the Flip Flop rule can be used.

XV            INFIELD FLY RULE

The infield fly rule shall be in effect with runners on first (1^st) base and second (2^nd) bases, or first (1^st) base, second (2^nd) base and third (3^rd) base with less than two (2) outs.

The batter shall be called out if he hits a ball in fair territory that is considered by the umpire to be caught by an infielder with reasonable effort.  Runner(s) on base may advance at their own risk.

THE GAME IS NOT LIFE OR DEATH, HAVE FUN, DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF AND MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BETTER FOR YOUR FELLOW BALL PLAYERS.

REVISED (1/3/2012)