TRI-COUNTY GOLDEN LADIES SOFTBALL LEAGUE
PLAYING RULES

                                                                                                                                                                                  

Revised:  9/30/2013  

 

The official rules to be used by this League are the ones laid out in the current

SSUSA rulebook combined with the following playing rules.

 

1.0 Number of players on a team

    1.1 The minimum number of players on a team is 9.

    1.2 The maximum number of defensive players is 11, but an unlimited 

        number can be in the offensive line-up.

    1.3 If a team has at least 9 players they can borrow players for a game from

        the opposing team, and that player/players will play both defense and

        offense for that team.

    1.4 If a team has less than 9 players they must forfeit the game, unless the

        managers can agree to reschedule the game.

 

2.0 Substitution:

    2.1 There can be unlimited changes on defense as long as the players are

        in the offensive line-up.

    2.2 If a player has to leave the game because of injury, illness or any other

        valid reason, and no substitute is available, the player's spot shall be

        skipped and no out declared.

    2.3 Starting players may be substituted for and re-entered one time,

        provided they occupy the same position in the batting order.

 

3.0 Courtesy runners:

    3.1 A courtesy runner must be a player in the batting order. This runner

        may run once in an inning.

    3.2 A courtesy runner may be used for a player from 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at

        any time.

    3.3 In order to have a courtesy runner from home, the injured or medically

        eligible player/players must be identified before the game

        starts to the opposing manager and clearly marked (R) on the lineup sheet    

    3.4 A player injured during the game may have a courtesy runner from home

        by informing the opposing manager of the injury.

    3.5 A courtesy runner may not be replaced by another courtesy runner,

        except in the case of an injury.

    3.6 A courtesy runner on base when it is her turn at bat will be declared out

        as a runner and then must come up to bat. When a courtesy runner is

        used from home plate and the batter touches 1st base or interferes with

        the play after she hits the ball, she will be called out.

    3.7 A player becomes a courtesy runner from home once she has taken her

        position at the runner's line, after which point you cannot change to

        another courtesy runner at home.

    3.8 Once a player has a runner from home she must have a runner for the rest

    of the game.  10/1/2012

 

 

3.9 A runner (rabbit) from home is part of the batter unit. The runner must be at the runner     line and the batter must be at the plate BEFORE a pitch is thrown or the batter will     be called out.     9/30/2013

 

 

4.0 Base running:

    4.1 There is no limit to the number of bases a runner can advance as long

        as the ball is in play.

    4.2 A runner is out when the runner fails to keep contact with the base or

        runner's line until a pitch is batted, touches the ground, or reaches home

        plate. If one or more of the runners on base steps off, all are called out.

    4.3 The runner from home must "toe the line" and may not take a running start.

4.4 A runner from the batter's box to 1st base must touch the outside bag in

        foul territory when a play is being made. She shall be called out if she

        fails to do so , unless she is avoiding a collision with the defensive player

        moving into foul territory to make a play. The defensive player may only

        tag the inside 1st base to make the out. If the runner continues on to 2nd

        base, she (the runner) may touch either base. Any attempt to advance to

        2nd base regardless of whether the runner is in fair or foul territory

        subjects the runner to a tag out or force out. In a run-by situation, the

        runner does not have to return to the inside base to continue to 2nd base

        on an overthrow or other play.

    4.5 A runner attempting to advance to the next base can reverse direction

        only one time, when a play is being made on her, unless she has passed

        the commitment line, which is located 20 feet from the alternate home plate.

    4.6 A base runner attempting to score must run to the alternate home plate.

        A runner touching the regular home plate first shall be declared out and

        the ball shall be ruled dead.

    4.7 No sliding is allowed at any base or at home, but a player may "dive back"

        if she has over run the base.

    4.8 When stepping on the regular home plate for a force out, the defensive

        player may step on any part of the plate or strike zone mat.

    4.9 All plays are force-outs, but a runner can be tagged out anywhere, except

        at home plate or between the commitment line and the alternate home plate.

    4.10 A "no contact or no crash" rule will be strictly enforced. Interference by a runner will be         an automatic out and obstruction by a defensive player will result in extra bases             awarded by the umpire.

5.0 Scoring runs:

    5.1 A team is limited to 5 runs per inning or as many as is required to tie the score. In the         last inning and any extra innings, there is no limit to the number of runs that can be scored by either team.

    5.2 A team may score 1 extra run on a home run over the fence, if the home

        run results in the 6th run being scored for that inning.

 

6.0 Bats and balls:

    6.1 The official bats used in the Tri-County League will be those specified on

        the ASA approved bat list at the beginning of the season. Bats which are banned by         the ASA after the season begins, may be used for the duration of that season only.         Bats with no markings are illegal.

    6.2 Each manager is responsible for policing the bats on their team.

    6.3 The official ball used in this League will be the 11 inch, 44-core, 375

        compression Worth Green Dot softball.

 

    6.4 The home team will furnish 1 new ball and 1 very good used ball for each game.

 

7.0 Official game:

 

    7.1 A regulation game will be 8 innings, unless extra innings are required

        to break a tie. The SSUSA International Tie-Breaker rule does not apply.

    7.2 Double headers will be played as two 6 inning games.

    7.3 A game will be considered official after the losing team has batted 5 times.

    7.4 The mercy rule is applied only after 5 innings and a 15 run lead is obtained. 

         The game ends; the score is reported as it is at that point. 

        However, play can continue for practice at the discretion of the managers.

 

    7.5 Games called because of rain, before 5 innings have been completed, will

        continue from the called inning.

 

 

 

8.0 Game line-up sheets:

 

    8.1 All teams must present a detailed line-up sheet, prior to game time,

        which includes full names of players and their numbers. Players requiring a runner         from home, must be marked with an (R).

    8.2 This list also must include the substitutes available on the bench.

    8.3 No subs may be added once the game has commenced.

 

9.0 Pitching:

    9.1 Pitchers must deliver the ball from within the pitching box, which includes

        the pitchers rubber.

 

10.0 Foul tip:

    10.1 A foul tip that is caught is an out, regardless of whether it goes over the batter's head.