8. Each team s bench of games will be noted on pairing/schedule sheets.

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1 NSNL Soft Ball Rules A. Regulations 1. This tournament is played, for the most part, according to International Softball Rules (Slow Pitch rules). In case of a discrepancy, the rules of this NSNL tournament will be applied. 2. One umpire will be assigned to each game. Should a controversial ruling arise during the game, only the assigned umpire will have the right to make the final decision. 3. Questioning of decisions can be made by team captain should be done in a mature and responsible manner. Cursing or yelling will not be tolerated. Any questions or objections made after the completion of a game are not valid. 4. Team format and team members 1) Each team may consist of maximum of 25 players 2) Each player s name and affiliation must be registered on a team roster, which is submitted at the time of application. If any changes are made in the team s listing before game time, a new roster must be submitted to the tournament officials. 3) Maximum of 25 eligible roster players are allowed to play at each game. 4) Players should have some kind of identification in case umpires/opponent team/tournament officials requested. 5. All players must have registered player s/uniform number on their shirts, however players are not required to wear uniform. The purpose of registration of player s number is to distinguish team members. Size, material, method of wearing the numbers is dependent on each team s discretion. 6. Lineup sheets are to be completed and exchanged with the opponent team at the start of each game. The lineup shall contain the first and last name, position and uniform number of each player. If there is a need for a pinch runner, each team captain is required to notify verbally to the opponent team and also specify/indicate it on lineup sheets. 7. Any changes cannot be made on lineup sheets once completed and exchanged with the opponent team. If discovered that a player who is not on lineup sheets or not eligible roster member is playing at a game, the team must forfeit the game immediately. However, if both teams wish and agree to continue the game, they may play to the finish. 8. Each team s bench of games will be noted on pairing/schedule sheets.

2 9. Game time and innings 1) Each game consists of 7 innings or runs 1 hour 10 minutes. There will be no further innings after the game time limit of 1 hour 10 minutes. (Except cancellation of game due to bad weather. If already playing top half, finish bottom half.) At the end of 7 innings, should the game be a tie, a game will continue until time is called. In case of tie-game occurring at the end of the allotted time, the game will be called as tie-game. 2) The Championship Game and Semi Final Games run for 7 innings in length with no time limit. 3) In case games cannot finish within 7 innings due to bad weather, following rules applied. Before 5 innings completion: Rematch. Team and individual score will not be recorded Completion of 5 innings: The game comes into effect. Team and Individual score will be recorded 10. Each team must have required number of players (at least 8 players) present in the dugout or team area to start a game. A game may begin with 8 players; however, failure to assemble all players listed on lineup sheets by the end of the game will result in automatic forfeiture of the game. In this case, individual score will be recorded. A team may continue a game with 8 players, less than currently in the lineup whenever player(s) leave a game for any reasons other than ejection. In this case, team and individual score will be recorded. 11. Catchers are recommended to use a catcher s mask. Is decided not to wear one, recommended to stand back of a batter. Be aware of contacting with a batter and foul balls. 12. After the 5 th inning, one team has a lead of at least 20 runs, the game shall be called and the leading team be declared the winner. Win by default = 20 0 (Score differential +20) Lose by default = 0 20 (Score differential -20) 13. Only ASA approved bats are allowed in the game. Non ASA approved bats and baseball bats are prohibited to use. (See attached Non Approved Bat List for your reference) Players using non ASA approved bat will be automatically forced out. If using ASA approved bats without approved official sign/mark, must consult with umpire and the opponent team before a game and receive approval. 14. Metal cleats are prohibited; however, players may wear shoes with rubber cleats.

3 B. General Notice 1. Captain from both teams will report the score of the completed game to NSNL officials next day of the game. 2. Any person injured or property damaged by players during the tournament games will be covered by NSNL insurance. NSNL, however, reserves the right to make the final decision on any claims. Players inured either during a game or warm-up will not be covered by NSNL insurance. Damage to playing equipment (including gloves, clothing, shoes, etc) will not be covered neither. All players must sign and submit Waiver Form required by NSNL to NSNL officials. 3. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited in the park. If anyone, either players or spectators, are found consuming any alcoholic beverage, the team which they represent will be disqualified for the remainder of the tournament and will be unable to participate in the following year s softball tournament. In years thereafter, NSNL will have the final decision concerning the participation of such team. 4. For safety reasons, only players are allowed in the dugout. For the team at bat, players shall remain in this area except the batter in the batter s box, the batter in the on-deck circle and the base coaches. 5. In fairness to both teams, the time allotment for the pre-game practice will be discussed and settled among the team managers and tournament officials priors to the start of practice. 6. For safety reasons and to avoid injuries and/or damages, prohibited to practice outside of a field using balls, bats and other equipment. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification by NSNL officials. (NSNL only covers for injuries and/or damages caused during a game in a field.) C. Game Rules 1. Pitching The pitch must be delivered with a perceptible arc of at least 6 feet (1.83 meters) from the ground. The pitched ball must not reach a height of more than 12 feet (3.66 meters), at its highest point from the ground. 2. Base In case of dislodged base, runner can step onto/run through its proper base position. Runners are required/must touch a base unless a base is displaced far away from its proper position. 3. Strike Zone

4 The slow pitch strike zone to be adopted for this tournament is the area extended from home plate to measure a 24 ¾ x 36 rectangle. A legally pitched ball which is not hit and falls in any part of the strike zone will be ruled as a strike. Note: The catcher must let the ball land on any part of the strike zone to be called a strike. For scoring purpose, the official home plate (not the extension) must be touched. 4. Ball Count Ball count start as 1 strike and 1 ball. 5. Force-Out When runner s base stop and fielder s catch made at the same time, it will be called as force-out. 6. Touch-Out When runner s base stop and fielder s touch made at the same time, it will be called as touch-out. 7. Base stealing is not permitted, however, a runner can start advancing to the next base as soon as a batter hits or the batted ball hits the ground. Otherwise, the runner will be called out. 8. Before a ball has been hit or a catcher has touched the ball, all outfielders including rover must stay on or behind the line which divides the dirt and the outfield ground. This line is 160 feet from home plate. There will be a penalty allowing the batter to advance to first-base and/or other base runners to advance one base if any outfielder, including a rover, moves within the infield area prior to the pitched ball being hit by the batter or touching the ground at home plate. 9. A pitcher s plate is located at 46 feet (13.8 meters) from home base corner close to a catcher. If there is no pitcher s plate, draw a line to create pitching position. A pitcher s foot must touch the plate or line while pitching a ball to a catcher. 10. A batter cannot advance to first base on a third strike. Three strikes constitute an out. 11. Only the head umpire can make the infield fly ruling. When an infield fly is ruled out, the batter will be assessed an out. 12. Base runners can advance on a fly ball provided they tag up and leave the base after the catch is made. Base runner can advance as many bases as they chose on errant throws, other than a pitch or a return ball from the catcher, which get by defensive players and still remain within the fenced-in area. However, a case runner can advance only one case on errant throws which end up outside of the fenced-in area. Note: The fenced-in area consists of the four diamond and their surrounding fields.

5 13. Bunts are not allowed. Amy batter who mistakenly bunts will be assessed an out by the umpire. 14. When hitting foul ball which goes over the fence, a batter will be called out. When hitting two foul balls, a batter will be called out. 15. Any harmful act, such as a runner willfully running into an outfielder, any be reason for ruling the runner out or forcing such player out of the game entirely. This decision will be at the discretion of the umpire and the tournament officials. 16. When a batter s stance, while batting, cause him to lean out of the batter s box or assumed batting box area, the umpire and tournament officials may assess the batter with an out. 17. A pinch runner may enter the game without any forfeiture of playing privileges for the following cases only: For any players that as previously noted such on the starting lineup roster For any player with a one-time need for medical treatment The designated pinch-runner shall be the player assessed with the most recent out players, including rover, are allowed in a field during a game 19. DH system In NSNL, each team can list maximum of 25 players on batting order in each game. As long as these 25 players are listed on lineup sheets, even though all 25 players are not physically present in the dugout or a field at the start of game, they can play once arrived and notified to the opponent team. Batting order does not have to be filled from 1 to 10 with 10 players on the field. 20. Replacement of fielders Within 25 players on batting list, any players can be placed as fielders. Batting order of replaced fielders remains as listed. 21. Players are able to excuse from a game, however, such players cannot be return to the game. 22. Fence of playing field In case of damaged or missing fence surrounding a field: When a batted ball bounces on the ground and goes over damaged or missing fence, assume there us a fence and call this as over-the-fence by bounced ball. A runner can advance to 2 nd base. If a runner on a base, the runner can advance 2 bases. Field without fence:

6 No limit on outfield, however, if even a part of fence exists, considers it as an outfield fence. When a batted ball bounces on the ground and go over nearby fence, a runner can advance 2 bases. In case of missing fence in foul ground, assume there is a fence. Even if a fielder catches a foul ball outside of the extension of assumed fence, it will be called as foul. Special Rule for Female Players 1. Start at 1 ball and 0 strike 2. Bunt is allowed and three bunt rue will not be applied 3. Infielders must stay on Regular Position until a batter hits. If umpire calls for violation of rules, the ball will be counted as 1 ball. 4. Outfielders must NOT step into the infield area (30ft) until a batter hits. If umpire calls for violation of rules, the ball will be counted as 1 ball. 5. No limit of foul count 6. Over the fence foul will be called out NSNL Special Rules for Championship Game 1. Registration of additional new players, deletion of players, and change of players will not be allowed after the last day of NSNL league tournament. 2. Which team will bat first will be decided not by Rock-Paper-Scissors, but top positioned team from elimination round will be given the privilege to choose. 3. Game time is 1 hour 30 minutes. At 1 hour and 30 minutes, if winner is clear, the game is over even though not finishing 7 innings. However, if tie-game when finishing at 7 innings, the game extends 30 more minutes and final game time will be 2 hours. 4. If still tie-game at the end of 2 hours, 3 players from each team will do Rock-Paper- Scissor to decide the game winner. 5. Extended Game Special Rule start with 1 out, runner 2 nd base and 3 rd base. Runners at 2 nd base and 3 rd base will be last 2 batters from previous inning. 6. There will be no pitching practice and any practice on the field at Extended Game.