MVSA Fall Softball Rules

MODIFICATIONS TO GIRLS FASTPITCH SOFTBALL RULES

1. Games

      a. Regulation games consist of seven innings or the time limit whichever comes first.  The time limit is two hours on Saturdays and single games on weekdays or 90 minutes on weekdays when a double header is played. The inning in place when the time limit is reached shall be completed. Only the top half of the inning need be completed if the home team is in the lead. The full inning must be completed so the home team gets an opportunity to bat if the visiting team is in the lead.

      b. Assuming that the field is available (i.e., start times are not delayed by a previous game) play starts exactly at the scheduled time, regardless of whether the two teams are ready. 

      c. No new inning may start after one hour and forty-five minutes of play for a two-hour game or one hour and fifteen minutes for a 90 minute game. A new inning begins with the third out of the previous inning.

         d. A game shall end if either team has a lead of 10 runs after 5 innings of play.  If the home team has the lead, it does not have to bat. However, it may do so if both coaches agree to the home team batting and it will not impact the start of another game immediately following the game being played. If this option is invoked, there will be a drop-dead situation at the two-hour time limit. If the visiting team has the lead, the home team is entitled to its final at bat before this rule can be invoked.

        e. If rain occurs during a game, it will be considered a complete game if there has been at least three and one half innings of play if the home team is in the lead or four complete innings of play if the visiting team is in the lead. The league and coaches will make every attempt to reschedule incomplete games.  If the game cannot be completed, then the score will be recorded as a tie. Incomplete games will begin at the point where the delayed game was stopped. 

       f. Time permitting, games ending in a tie score may play one “International Tie-Breaker” inning. The ITB inning shall be defined as a new inning and subject to the time constraints of 1c. above.

      g. If a team is not able to field at least 8 players within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, said team shall forfeit the game.

2. Innings

     a. An inning shall end after five runs are scored or three outs are made, whichever comes first.  Continuation is in effect and teams may accumulate more than 5 runs.  Runner may continue to advance on the bases after the 5^th run is scored.  Theoretically up to 8 runs can be scored in an inning.  To stop runner advancement, teams can make the 3^rd out or throw the ball home to stop scoring.

      b. Rule 2.a is suspended for the final inning of play. The final inning of playis either the 7th inning, or the last inning due to the time limit. If an inning other than the 7th is the last inning, the umpire must declare that inning the last inning before any pitch is thrown at the start of the declared inning. If the time limit for the start of a new inning in 6c is not reached after completion of a declared last inning, other than the 7th inning, both teams will play another inning with rule 4a suspended. 

3. Lineups and Player Utilization

     a. A minimum of 8 players is required for each team. Teams playing with 8 players are not required to take an out in the 9th batting position.

      b. Each player must play a minimum of three innings on defense with one turn at bat. Failure to satisfy this rule will result in forfeit by the offending team. There is no requirement for three consecutive innings, although that is recommended. 

      c. If a game is shortened to less than 6 innings, then rule 3b. is suspended, and each player must play a minimum of two innings. Coaches are advised to monitor the elapsed time after three innings of play to ensure that minimum play requirements are met. In general, if it takes more than one hour to complete three innings, then coaches should anticipate a shortened game and substitute accordingly. 

      d. If a head coach believes that a team has not followed the minimum play rule, a protest may be filed in writing to the softball commissioner, and both teams will be required to submit their scorebooks for review. The decision of the softball commissioner shall be final.

      e. There is no limit to the number of innings that a single pitcher may pitch in a game.  At least two pitchers must be used in every game unless the criteria below are met. Each pitcher must pitch a minimum of two innings. Prior to the start of the season, each coach must declare a minimum of two pitchers on his team. Pitchers are subject to the game-usage and minimum-inning requirements in 3b. and 3c. above. Dropping of the minimum pitching rule may be made if: 1) a pitcher is incapable of performing for any reason; or 2) both coaches agree prior to the day of the game that the rule can be waved.

      f. There is free substitution on defense, subject to the minimum play rule (3b) above.

     g. The batting order shall consist of all players present at the scheduled game start time, and may not change during a game.  A player arriving after the start time may be added to the bottom of the batting order and may be substituted on defense. Said player is NOT subject to the minimum play rule (3b and 3c) above. The opposing team must be notified prior to the player’s entry into the game.

      h. Because the league bats the full roster, the batting position for a player who leaves during a game will not be counted as an automatic out. If teams were permitted to field only 9 players, a strategy could be used to account for a player’s departure. However, because the league bats the full roster, it is unfair to mandate an out when somebody leaves given the coach has no choice but to bat that player. 

4.    Base running and stealing

a. Sliding is permitted (as per usual). 

       b. Base runners shall remain in contact with the base until the ball has been released from the pitcher’s hand (as per usual). 

c. Ball Four Continuation (included for emphasis): The ball is in play on a walk and remains live unless timeout is called by the umpire.

       d. Slide or Avoid Contact Rule (included for emphasis): When a base runner is approaching a base that is covered by a defender who has possession of the ball, the base runner must make every reasonable attempt to avoid contact with the defender by sliding. If, IN THE UMPIRE'S JUDGEMENT, the runner makes intentional excessive contact with the defender, the runner will be declared out and the ball dead. Other base runners will be returned to the last base touched. (This rule is intended to reduce dangerous collisions between base runners and defenders.)

      e. Obstruction by a defensive player is not permitted. Obstruction is the act of a defensive player or team member that hinders or prevents a batter from striking or hitting a pitched ball; or a fielder, while not in possession of the ball or in the act of fielding a batted ball, who impedes the progress of a base runner who is legally running the bases.  Note that for play involving a base running situation, the player must have possession of the ball or obstruction occurs. PONY rules for the effects of obstruction apply.

5. Other

      a. No infield practice is permitted until 30 minutes prior to game time so that field preparation under item 5b. below can be completed.  Teams who do infield practice earlier than 30 minutes prior to game time shall forfeit the game.  Time shall be determined by the umpire’s or home team head coach’s watch if no umpire is present.  Infield practice may start sooner if field preparation is completed but shall continue to be only 15 minutes in length.

       b. Coaches and parents from BOTH teams are responsible for field preparation (lining the base paths, setting out bases, raking, etc.) prior to the start of the game. Coaches and players should return equipment to the bins and rake and drag high-volume use areas after the games.  Teams that fail to meet their field responsibilities will forfeit the game 7-0.

      c. The home team is entitled to the third-base dugout.

      d. The away team must complete infield practice prior to 15 minutes before game time.

      e. The home team is entitled to infield practice during the final 15 minutes before game time.

       f. The pitcher is entitled to a maximum of 5 warm-up pitches in her first inning of play, and not more than 3 warm-up pitches thereafter

       g. Infield and outfield throwing is permitted between innings until the pitcher has completed her warm-up pitches.