Stetson University
Intramural Softball Officials Guide
Softball Rules Summary
Revised (03/10)
NIRSA Softball Rules will be used, except where superseded by Stetson Intramural Guidelines and softball rules modification.
Length of Game: Games will be 7 innings, with 50 minute time limit (no new inning will start after 50 minutes from scheduled starting time, unless delayed by IM staff).
Tie game procedure: In case of a tie game after the time limit has expired, the game will end in a tie.
Mercy Rule: After 4 innings if a team is winning by 15, or if after 5 innings a team is winning by 10 the game will be called. After 4 innings, the team trailing in the game may concede, without forfeit.
Number of Players: 10 players play the field. Teams may use an unlimited number of extra hitters (EH) and any 10 may play in the field any inning. A team may not remove a player from the batting order, except for injury. Additional players may be added to the line up, at the bottom of the order, at any time during the game.
A minimum of 8 players must be present to prevent a forfeit. If a team drops below 8 players due to injury, they may continue to play. However, if a team drops below 8 players due to ejection or DQ, the game will be forfeited.
Re-entry Rule: A starting player may be replaced in the game by a substitute and reenter the line-up, one time, in the same spot in the batting order.
Strike Zone: A legally pitched ball that hits the pad or back triangle of the plate is a strike.
Coed Softball Rules
Equipment: The "incrediball" will be the official ball.
Number of Players: Teams may not have more en then women in the game and two men cannot bat consecutively in the batting order.
Other rules modifications: If a male player is walked, the female player following in the batting order has the option of taking a walk or batting.
Outfielders may not be positioned closer to home plate than the restraining line until the ball is hit.
I. The Game
A. Time
In case of inclement weather, four innings or 50 minutes will constitute a complete game.
B. Equipment
Balls, bats, and catcher's mask (recommended for the catcher) will be provided. Sharp metal cleats are illegal and any player caught wearing them will be disqualified from the game. No jewelry may be worn, and after warning players will be disqualified.
II. Definitions
Base on Balls
A base on balls allows a batter to gain first base without liability to be put out. An intentional walk may be granted by having the pitcher notify the home umpire.
Base Path
The imaginary 3' on either side of the runner's line between the bases.
Batted Ball
Any ball that hits the bat or is hit by the bat. No intent to hit the ball is necessary.
Bunt/Chopped Ball
A ball that is batted down slowly and/or deliberately. A batter that is considered to have done this is out.
Catch
The catch is not legal until that ball is in the grasp of the fielder's hand or glove and complete control is demonstrated. The release of the ball must be voluntary and intentional. A Catch may not be made with anything other than the hand or glove. It may be released for the transfer to the throwing hand.
Catch and Carry*
A catch that is made in fair territory and then carried into dead ball territory by a fielder. All runners are awarded one base.
Dead Ball Area
Area marked by white lines from the back stop extending along the foul lines.
Fair Ball
A batted ball that:
a) Settles in fair territory or on home plate,
b) Is on or over fair territory when bounding toward the outfield, passing first or third base
c) Touches an umpire or fielder in fair territory,
d) Goes over the fence in fair territory,
e) Hits the foul pole or the foul line
Foul Ball
A batted ball that:
a) Settles on foul territory between home plate and first or third base
b) Touches the batter while in the batter's box.
c) is on or over foul territory when bounding toward the outfield,
d) touches an umpire, object, or player in foul territory before reaching first or third base while in flight
The offensive team is responsible for retrieving all foul balls and home runs
Home Plate
The black part of the plate is not considered part of home plate.
On Deck Batter
The batter who is up after the current batter. This batter must stand behind the fence to take warm-up swings.
III. Rules and Penalties
A. Obstruction
Obstruction is an act by a catcher that hinders or prevents the batter from hitting a pitch or an act by a fielder, not in the act of fielding the ball, about to throw the ball, or in possession of the ball, who impedes the progress of a base runner. When the obstruction occurs, the umpire will give the delayed dead ball signal.
1. If a play is being made on an obstructed runner, or if the batter is obstructed before he reaches first base, the ball is dead and all runners advance to the bases they would have reached, in the umpire's judgment, had there been no obstruction.
2. If no play is being made on an obstructed runner, play continues.
3. If, in the umpire's judgment, the obstructed runner would not have reached the next base, regardless of the obstruction, and he/she is put out prior to reaching the next base, he shall be returned to the last base touched at the time of the obstruction.
4. A base runner obstructed in a rundown will be awarded the base to which he/she would have achieved at the time of the obstruction.
B. Interference
Interference is any act by the offensive player that impedes or confuses a defensive player while attempting to execute a play. When interference is called, the ball is dead and all other runners must return to the last base legally touched.
1. If a runner, in the umpire's judgment, obviously attempts to prevent a double play, that runner and the immediate succeeding runner are both called out.
2. When a base runner is struck with a fair batted ball while off the base and in fair territory, and before the ball passes an infielder, excluding the pitcher, and no other infielder is in position to catch the ball, that runner is called out.
3. When a runner intentionally kicks a ball that an infielder has missed that runner is called out.
4. When anyone, other than another base runner, physically assists a base runner, that runner is called out.
5. When a batter hinders a catcher from fielding the ball, the batter is out.
6. When a defensive player has the ball and is waiting for the runner, if the runner remains on his/her feet and deliberately crashes into the defensive player, the runner is out. (The runner must either slide or give himself/herself up to the tag.)
C. Infield Fly
Infield fly occurs on a fair fly ball that if within the confines of the clay/dirt of the infield. Runners must occupy first and second, or first, second, and third base with zero or one out. The batter is out, the ball is alive, runners advance at their own risk.
D. Appeal
There are two types of appeal plays:
1. Live ball appeal play
a. The umpire must make an immediate decision
b. The ball remains in play.
c. Runners may advance at their own risk.
2. Dead ball appeal play
a. The umpire's decision is rendered upon request.
b. The ball must be returned to the infield
c. Any defensive player may make the request.
d. A "play" does not have to be made.
e. The ball remains dead.
f. Runners may not advance
Appeal plays:
1. Batting out of order.
2. Missing a base.
3. Leaving a base early on a caught fly ball.
Penalty for batting out-of-order:
1. If discovered before turn is completed, proper batter resumes count.
2. If discovered after the turn is completed, it must be appealed before the first pitch to the next batter. The batter who should have batted is out. The next batter in order comes to the plate.
E. Overthrow/Dead Ball Area*
1. If an overthrow enters dead ball territory, the runners get two bases from where they were at the time of the throw.
2. If a fair batted ball enters dead ball territory it is a ground rule double.
3. IF a batted ball hits an object that is in dead ball territory (i.e. a tree) and bounces back into play it is not live and cannot be played.
F. Fake Tag
A fake tag made by a fielder without the ball is an unsportsmanlike act that will not be tolerated. The first time in a game that an umpire notices a fake tag, both teams will be warned. The next instance will result in the ejection of the offending player.
G. Illegal bat
All legal bats must say "Official Softball Bat". If a metal bat is used it must have a metal knob. If a ball is batted with an illegal bat, ball is dead, batter is out.
H. Force Out
Occurs only when a runner loses the right to the base he/she is occupying because the batter becomes a batter-runner.
I. Batter's Box
If the batter's foot is completely out of the box on the ground when the ball is hit, fair or foul, the ball is dead and the batter is out. This would include stepping on the plate, or stepping directly in front of home plate.
J. Illegal Pitch
Any pitch called illegal may be taken for a ball. If the batter swings at an illegal pitch, the ball I live, and the result of the play stands. The following criteria must be met for a pitch to be legal.
1. The peak of its arc must be between 6' and 12'.
2. Before the pitching motion begins, the pitcher must come to a stop with at least one foot on the pitching rubber. The same foot must remain on the rubber until the ball is released.
K. Pitching
Prior to pitching, the pitcher shall come to a full and complete stop with both feet firmly on the ground, and with one or both feet in contact with the pitching rubber. The ball must be held in the pitching hand or both hands in front of the body. This position must be maintained at least one second prior to delivery.
In the act of delivering the ball to the batter, the pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher's rubber until the ball leaves the hand. The pitcher's shoulders must be in line with first and third base. NOTE: A dead ball should be called, an illegal pitch ruled, a warning issued, and repeated action would result in a pitcher being ruled illegal and removed from that position for the game.
A maximum of 5 warm up pitches will be given prior to the first inning. A maximum of 3 will be given in between innings. New pitchers will be given 3 pitches. NO INFIELD PRACTICE MAY BE TAKEN AFTER THE FIRST INNING.
Legal Delivery Consists of:
1. The delivery must be a continuous motion
2. The pitcher must deliver the ball towards home plate and in an underhand motion
3. The pitcher must not deliver the ball behind the back or between the legs.
Quick Pitches are not allowed. A quick pitch is one where a pitcher attempts to deliver a ball when the batter is not yet in the batters box, or still off balance from a previous swing attempt. An illegal pitch will be called on an attempted quick pitch.
"No Pitch" will be called when a ball slips out of a pitchers hand on a delivery, when a runner is called out for leaving the base early, or a pitcher pitches a ball before the signal to play is given.
L. Running
No stealing is allowed. Runners may leave the base when a pitch is hit. If the runner is off the base before the pitch is hit, the runner is out and the umpire declares no pitch. Players may over run first base. If an attempt to advance to second base is made, the runner puts himself or herself in jeopardy to be put out.