SOFTBALL GAME RULES ** Rules not covered/listed by the BSSC can be found in the ASA Rules of Softball **

SOFTBALL GAME RULES ** Rules not covered/listed by the BSSC can be found in the ASA Rules of Softball ** SEC. 1 - OFFICIAL TEAM ROSTER A. Each team must have a minimum of 12 players (see below for male / female ratio) to play in the current league. B. There is no maximum number of players allowed on a roster. NOTE: Please see BSSC GENERAL TEAM RULES for further information concerning adding the team roster online including deadlines. SEC. 2 - GAME EQUIPMENT A. BSSC will provide all bases (safety base at first / safety home base for Super X ), cones, basic first aid kits/ice for injuries, a catcher's mask, a new and playable ball for each game. Baltimore City Department of Parks/Recs is responsible for field maintenance. B. Catchers MUST wear either the mask provided or their own catcher s mask at all times while behind the plate. C. Teams may bring personal softballs to play catch before the game, but may NOT practice on the field (catch, batting or fielding) while being worked on by BSSC or Parks & Recs staff. D. Bats and gloves are not supplied by the BSSC. E. All bats used in BSSC play must have either the approved ASA 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark, and must not be listed on the ASA non-approved list. ( see Section 4 ). SEC. 3 - METAL SPIKES A. Any player wearing metal spikes will be suspended from the game (see UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT in the BSSC GENERAL TEAM RULES). B. Player will be removed from the league, for a second offense. NO WARNINGS. SEC. 4 BATS ALLOWED A. ALL bats used in BSSC play must have either the approved ASA 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark. Bats w/o these certifications will NOT be allowed in the game. B. If bats do not have the above certifications; BSSC players MUST legitimize their bat through ASA testing. Bats that pass the test will have a dated sticker placed on it, so umpires know the bat has been tested. 1. BSSC will set up a testing location for bat(s) certification before the first week of the season. B. Based on the above Maryland ASA 2012 rule, an illegal bat will result in player ejection (player who brought the bat) and the bat removed from play. If it is the player s second offense, that player is suspended from the league for the remainder of the season. 1. If a player does not confess to bringing the illegal bat, the coach will be suspended, instead of ejected. C. Bats must also meet the following dimensions in order to be considered eligible for use: Maximum Length: 34 inches Maximum Weight: 38 ounces Maximum Barrel: 2 ¼ inches Maximum Safety Tape: 15 inches SEC. 5 - UMPIRES A. The BSSC will provide a certified ASA umpire for the all softball leagues or BSSC staff if umpire is late/no show. A BSSC softball rule sheet is provided at each field for league specific reference. NOTE: Only the coach or co-coach may discuss a softball rule with the umpire. Judgment calls will not be discussed by any player. SEC. 6 FIELDING A TEAM A. There is a maximum of 10 players allowed on the field at one time (standard, 6 men, and 4 women). 1. There is no limit to the number of women allowed on the field at one time (10 women 0 men). 2. No more than 6 men are allowed on the field under any circumstances. Ex. You may not place 7 men on the field, if only 3 women are present. B. To start a game, a team must have a minimum of 8 players, 3 of the players must be women. (see FORFEIT EXTENSION). C. If less than 2 women are present to start the game (see Forfeit Extension Minimum), a forfeit will be assessed

(see FORFEIT). D. If one team has only 8 players, the opposing team may chose to play 8 on 8 or may play with a full team of 10 against 8. E. The fielding team may place late arriving players in the field as they arrive by alerting the umpire. SEC. 7 - FORFEITS A. All games must start on time. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME. B. The minimum number of players to start the game is 8 (3 of the players must be women.) OR 6 players (2 of the players must be women) for the Forfeit Extension. C. A forfeit will be called and a $50 fine will be assessed if a team is unable to meet the minimum requirements. SEC. 8 - FORFEIT EXTENSION A. A forfeit extension will go into affect when a team has a minimum of 6 players, (2 of the players must be women) at game time. 1. This team will bat first as the visitor and the opposing team will become the home team (if Applicable). If by the completion of the top of the inning, they still do not have enough players to meet the minimum requirements, then a forfeit fine will be assessed. B. If both teams have less than 8 players to start the game, a double forfeit will be declared and a tie provided to both teams. C. An out will be recorded for every female line up spot that is needed to keep the 2 male to 1 female ratio after the 2nd female has batted in the batting order in this scenario. SEC. 9 - FORFEIT NOTICE TO AVOID A FINE (REGULAR SEASON) A. The forfeiting coach/representative must e-mail the BSSC by NOON on the day prior to the scheduled game in order to avoid a forfeit fine. This deadline will allow the BSSC to contact the coach and players of the opposing team. Once a team has notified the BSSC of a forfeit, it cannot be reversed. SEC. 10 - FORFEIT NOTICE TO AVOID A FINE (MAKE UP GAMES) A. The forfeiting coach/representative must e-mail the BSSC no later than 12 p.m. on the Thursday BEFORE the make up game is to be played. Once a team has notified the BSSC of a forfeit, it cannot be reversed. NOTE: This advanced notice will allow the BSSC to send an e-mail to the other team announcing a forfeit for the weekend and the head umpire time to make his final assignments based on the total amount of games. B. A forfeit fine will be assessed if above prior notice is NOT given to the BSSC through e-mail for the below dates. SEC. 11-2014 SOFTBALL MAKE-UP GAME DATES A. Rain-out/Make Up games from: Weeks 1 thru 4 Saturday, July 12 th 1. NO forfeit fine prior notice date/time Thursday, July 10 th by 12:00pm B. Rain-out/Make Up games from: Weeks 5 thru 8 Saturday, July 26 th 1. NO forfeit fine prior notice date/time Thursday, July 24 th by 12:00pm SEC. 12 - START OF THE GAME A. The home team will be listed first on the schedule. 1. EXAMPLE: 12 vs. 32, team 12 is the home team. Home team will use the 1st base benches and the visiting team the 3rd base benches. B. The umpires will call both teams' coaches to home plate to go over all ground rules and to collect line-up cards. C. The home team will take the field and the visiting team will bat first. SEC. 13 - GAME CLOCK A. All games will have a 55-minute time limit without inning restrictions. B. The BSSC field clock is the official game clock. Both teams will be informed when the game clock has been started by the umpire/bssc staff. C. The umpire/bssc staff will give both teams a 5-minute warning before time expires. D. All play will stop 55 minutes from the time the game begins, regardless of the game situation. 1. EXCEPTION: If the home team is batting and a player is in the batter s box, that player will be allowed to finish his/her bat. E. If the time expires in the middle of an inning, the score will revert to the last full inning played.

Ex. Game is tied at after a full inning has been completed. Visitors go ahead by 2 runs in the top, home team has scored zero runs in the bottom, clock expires. Score reverts back to the last full inning; game is recorded as a tie. 2. EXCEPTION: If the home team is ahead or ties the game when time expires, they will be awarded the win/tie. F. If a rainout occurs while a game is in progress, 3 innings must be completed for the game to count. 3. EXCEPTION: During the playoffs, 4 innings must be completed for the game to count. G. One warm-up pitch between innings is allowed. H. Teams need to hustle on and off the field so that as many innings as possible in the 55 minute time frame may be played. I. After a game is completed, all players must clear the fields/benches immediately to allow the next game to start on time. SEC. 14 MANDATORY PLAYER PARTICIPATION A. All players in attendance wearing a team shirt must bat and play the field during the game (unless injured). 1. Every player must be placed in the batting line-up. 2. Every player must play in the field a minimum of THREE innings during the game. Coaches will inform umpires which players that they are going to limit to three innings in the field. When these players take the field, the coach will again inform the umpire. B. A team will forfeit the game if the above rule is broken. SEC. 15 - LINE-UP/LINE-UP CARDS A. Line-up cards, pen and a score sheet (on a clipboard), will be provided to each coach as they arrive to the game. 1. Score sheets will be kept by the coaches to keep team score and reference their line up. Turn in the clipboards, pen to BSSC staff after the completion of your game. B. Cards must be filled-out before the start of the game with the following team information: 1. BSSC Staff will enter the Coaches name/team color/ team # on the top of the line-up cards. 2. Coaches will write players first names and last initial on the lineup card/score sheet. No nicknames please only first name and last initial. a. Coaches will circle the number on the line up card next to each female player for reference. Ex. Batter # 4 is Chris L ( female ) circle #4 on the card and Batter # 12 is Chris W ( male ) do not circle # 12 on the card. C. Completed line-up cards must be handed to the umpire during ground rules and coaches keep score sheet. 1. Teams not handing in their card at this time will be penalized one out in their first at bat. 2. If the card is not handed in by the end of the 1st inning that team will forfeit the game. D. The umpire's line-up card will be the official card for both teams. All changes to a line-up must be reported to the umpire and the other team s coach. E. There is no maximum to the number of players allowed on a team s starting line-up. F. No matter the number of players in a line-up, there must be a "2 men to 1 woman" ratio at all times. G. If a team has more males then females to accommodate the 2 men to 1 female ratio; females may bat twice only if 4 or more females are present. Teams must designate which females will bat twice and where they will be placed on the line-up card (see line up example). H. The females who bat twice must stay in their original batting order and may not rotate throughout the line-up. Only those females designated on the line-up card will be allowed to bat twice or the BATTING OUT OF ORDER rule will be enforced. I. Late arriving players may be inserted at any time; however, that player must be inserted at the bottom of the batting order, unless it interferes with the 2-1 ratio. If this occurs, coaches will place that player closest to the bottom of the order to accommodate the proper ratio. J. Starting players may move freely from one field position to another at any time during the game. The batting order must stay the same despite any changes in field position. SEC. 16 - LINE-UP WITH ONLY 3 FEMALES A. If a team has only 3 females in the batting order they must keep a "2 male to 1 female" ratio at all times. In this scenario, females may NOT bat more than one time in the order. B After the 3rd female has batted in the line-up, an OUT will be recorded for every spot that a female is required in the order. Ex. An out will be recorded for the 12 th, 15 th or 18 th, spot where a female would have batted in the line up. D. In an 8 or 9 person lineup with only 3 females present a team must take an out at the end of the

batting order even if they accommodate the 2 male to 1 female ratio without having a 4th female present. SEC. 17 - BATTING ORDER OPTIONS A. Option # 1) EXTREME AND SUPER-EXTREME LEAGUE: Unlimited amount of players allowed in the starting line-up. 1. Players can freely rotate between a field position and sitting on the bench anytime during the game. (see three inning in the field rule). However, the batting order must never change. B. Option # 2) SOCIAL LEAGUE ONLY: Limited amount of players in the starting line-up. 1. Teams will have the option of using an 11-player batting order with substitutions -10 fielders plus 1 DH. 2. Starting players can reenter the game one time but substitutes may not reenter once they are removed from the game. Coaches must report all substitutions and player(s) reentering the game to the umpire & opposing team. SEC. 18 - BATTING OUT OF ORDER A. If a player is caught batting out of order while at the plate; the player who was supposed to bat will approach the plate and assume the ball/strike count of the player who was batting out of order. B. If the player who was batting out of order is caught after reaching base safely, that player will be called out, and all runners will return to their original base. SEC. 19 - THE COUNT A. Players will already have a one-ball/one strike count on them when they come up to bat. B. The player is out after a third strike, including a foul ball that is batted after two strikes. No fouls to give. C. If a player hits a ball into the air in foul territory on his/her third strike, and is caught by a fielder, the batter is out. The caught ball remains live until the pitcher regains possession (umpire calls time out), and runners may advance at their own risk. SEC. 20 - WALKED BATTERS A. If a male batter is walked with a female batting next, the male batter will be awarded first if runners are occupying any of the bases. B. If the bases are empty of runners, a male batter who is walked with a female batting next, will proceed to 2nd base. 1. The woman who is batting behind a walked male batter, must bat unless there are two outs. 2. If there are two outs, the female batter will have the option to walk or bat. NOTE: This rule may force in a runner from 3rd if bases are loaded. SEC. 21 - HOME RUNS A. Each team will be allowed ONE home run for a ball hit over the fence per game (where applicable). B. Every ball hit over the fence after that will result in the batter being called OUT. SEC. 22- SCORING LIMITS A. After a team has scored 7 runs in one inning, the offensive part of that inning will be stopped and that team will take the field. SEC. 23 - INFIELD FLY RULE A. For an infield fly rule to be called, 1st and 2nd base must be occupied with LESS then 2 outs. B. The batter is automatically out when the infield fly rule is called by the umpire and the ball will be declared a dead ball. C. With 2 outs in the inning, a ball batted in the air to the infield the ball will remain live. SEC. 24 - A FAIR BALL A. A legally batted fair fly, line drive or grounder shall be judged by the umpire according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the cone at the end of the foul line, and not with respect to the position of the fielder (on fair or foul ground) at the time the ball is contacted. B. A ball that is touched in or over fair territory and rolls into foul territory. SEC. 25 - A FOUL BALL A. A batted ball landing out of bounds.

B. A batted ball landing in bounds, but traveling out of bounds on its own before passing 1st or 3rd base. NOTE: If the batted ball has passed 1st or 3rd in the air, lands in fair territory, and then travels out of bounds, it is a live ball. SEC. 26 - AN OUT A. A count of 3 strikes at the plate. B. A runner who interferes with a thrown ball. (No runners will advance on an interference call.) C. Any batted ball (fair or foul) that is caught. D. A tag on a base to which a runner is forced to run (a force out). E. A runner caught off of his/her base before the ball is batted (no leading-off is allowed). F. Any player who makes unnecessary contact with another player (see RUNNERS below). G. A runner not touching the orange safety 1st base (all leagues), when a ball is hit in the infield. H. A runner that does not touch the orange safety home base ( Super-X league). I. A batter who has thrown the bat after hitting the ball, instead of placing it in the batters box. J. For a foul tip to be considered an out, the ball must travel above the batters head before it is caught by the catcher. SEC. 27 - INFIELD PLAYERS A. The fielding defense consists of a pitcher, catcher, 1st basemen, 2nd basemen, shortstop, 3rd basemen and 4 outfielders. B. A shortstop is not allowed to rotate into a short outfielder position, past the infield grass. C. We encourage all infielders to stay 3' in front of or behind the base path until the ball is batted. This will help to eliminate a collision with the base runner. D. If a team does not have 10 players, then any player (Exception: pitcher/catcher) may move between the infield/outfield positions. However, the player must be set in their new position before the ball is pitched. Ex. No 2 nd baseman, left handed batter is up, shortstop may move to the 2 nd base position. SEC. 28 OUTFIELD PLAYERS A. Outfielders must play behind the outfield cones at all times before the ball is hit. B. Once the ball is hit, the outfielder may make a play on the ball anywhere in the field. C. If an outfielder is in front of the outfield cones (before the ball is hit) and catches the ball or makes a play on a runner, that runner/batter will be awarded the base to which he/she was advancing. SEC. 29 - RUNNERS A. It is the runner s job to avoid contact at all cost. You must give yourself up or get out of the way to avoid contact with the defensive player. Runners will be called out if unnecessary contact is not avoided. Runners may be ejected/ suspended if in the umpires/bssc staff judgment, the side was unsportsmanlike in nature. B. Runners must stay within the baseline or they will be called out. C. Runners may overrun 1st base and home plate only. D. On an over throw, runners are awarded 2 bases from the last base touched at the time the thrown ball was released. Ex. Runner on 1st base on an over throw, the runner will be awarded 3rd base. E. Neither leading off base, nor stealing a base is allowed. Leaving the base before the ball is hit is considered an out. F. At their own risk, runners are entitled to advance with liability to be put out when a legally caught fly ball is first touched by a defensive player. G. Runners will be declared safe, if there is a tie at any base. SEC. 30 - RUNNERS SAFETY BASE A. Runners advancing to 1st base must tag the outside orange runner's safety base at all times when the ball is in the infield. Runners will be called out if the orange base is not used on an infield hit. B. The runner has the option to use the white inside base ONLY on a ball hit to the outfield. C. The 1st baseman must tag the conventional base (located in fair territory) to get the runner out. If the 1st baseman tags the orange runner's safety base, the runner will be called safe. SEC. 31 - SLIDING A. Head-first sliding is NOT allowed in BSSC softball at any base and the runner will be called out. B. If a runner's momentum has caused them to overrun a base, they may NOT "dive back" in a head first manner to regain possession of that base.

C. If any slide is considered unsportsmanlike by the umpire, the player will be ejected or suspended from the game. SEC. 32 - INJURED RUNNER A. A pinch runner may be used if a player is injured while running the bases. B. The pinch runner must be the last player (Same Gender) who made the last out in the proceeding inning. C. A player cannot bat and have another person run to first base for them. D. A player will be removed from the remainder of the game, if there injury dictates the use of a pinch runner. SEC. 33 - OBSTRUCTION A. When a fielder prevents the runner from getting to the base or impedes the progress of a runner who is legally running the bases, a "dead ball" will be signaled by the umpire. Examples: 1. A fielder who is standing on the base blocking the runner (only the fielder s foot should be on the base if a play is being made at that base). 2. A fielder who pushes a runner off a base in attempt to gain an out. 3. A fielder making a fake tag (ejection from game, see UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT in General Game Rules ) B. An obstructed runner will be awarded the base they would have reached in the umpire's judgment, had there been no obstruction. C. If an obstructed runner is thrown out prior to reaching the base they would have reached before the obstruction, they will be awarded that base. SEC. 34 - POST SEASON ELIGIBILITY NOTE: Please see BSSC GENERAL TEAM RULES for further information concerning the play-off games. SEC. 35- POST SEASON GAMES A. All players must show a photo ID to a BSSC staff member prior to participating in a post season game. B. Play-off games will have a 45 minute time limit, to allow for tie breaker inning(s). C. If the home team is at bat when time expires, they will be allowed to complete the inning. D. If the visiting team was at bat when time expires, the score will revert back to the last completed inning. E. If the game is tied after the completion of this inning, a play-off tie breaker will occur (see below). SEC. 36 - CHAMPIONSHIP GAME A. Championship games will be 55 minutes with no inning restrictions. B. If the home team is at bat when time expires, they may complete the inning if they are losing the game. C. If the visiting team was at bat when time expires, the inning will be allowed to be completed. D. If the game is tied after the completion of this inning, a play-off tie breaker will occur (see below). E. The mercy rule will be in effect (10 runs after 6 innings). NOTE: The championship game must have completed 4 innings for the game to count. If the game is called before four innings are completed, the make-up game will begin where the game ended. EXCEPTION: If the home team is ahead after 3 ½ innings and the game is called, the game will count. SEC. 37 POST SEASON/CHAMPIONSHIP TIE BREAKER A. If the home team is at bat and the game is tied or the home team is trailing when time has expired, they will be allowed to finish that inning. B. If a game is tied when time has expired (See A for Exception), time will be called and a tiebreaker inning(s) will occur. Tiebreaking rounds will continue until one team has outscored the other team in a completed inning. C. Exception to A & B: Championship games in the middle of an inning. 1. The home team will take the field with the visiting team hitting. -ROUND # 1: The batting order will continue from the previous inning for both teams. a. The player, who made the last out in the previous inning, will be placed on 2nd base. b. Starting with 1 out in the top of the inning, each player will begin with a 2 balls/1 strike count. c. At the completion of the top half of the inning, the home team will start the bottom half with the same format. d. If the home team scores more runs in the bottom of the inning, they will win the game. If not, round 2 will begin.

- ROUND # 2: The batting order will continue from the previous inning for both teams. a. The players who made the last two outs in the previous inning will be placed on 2nd and 3rd base. b. Starting with 2 outs in the top of the inning, each player will begin with a 2 balls/2 strike count (a foul in this situation is still an out). c. At the completion of the top half of the inning, the home team will start the bottom half with the same format. d. If the home team scores more points in the bottom of the inning, they will win the game. - ROUND # 3 (and subsequent rounds if needed): The batting order will continue from the previous inning for both teams. a. The players who made the last 3 outs in the previous inning will be placed on 1st, 2nd and 3rd base. b. Starting with 2 outs in the top of the inning, players will begin with a 3 balls/2 strike count (a foul in this situation is still an out). c. At the completion of the top half of the inning, the home team will start the bottom half with the same format. d. If the home team scores more points in the bottom of the inning, they will win the game. SEC. 38 UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT - COOLING OFF PERIOD/EJECTIONS/SUSPENSIONS Unsportsmanlike conduct is not tolerated and may result in warnings, cooling off period, ejections and suspensions. A. Cooling Off Period 1. BSSC staff has the right to have any player(s) sit-out for an inning if necessary for a "cooling-off period." a. Teams MAY replace the player on the field during a cooling-off period. B. Ejection 1. Players shall be removed from the current game and MAY NOT re enter the game. 2. Teams MAY NOT replace the ejected player on the field and an OUT will be recorded in their batting slot. 3. Player(s) will be eligible to play in the next scheduled game. C. Suspension 1. Players shall be removed from current game and MAY NOT re enter the game. 2. Teams MAY NOT make a substitution for the suspended player(s) position on the field and an OUT will be recorded in their batting slot. 3. The suspended player will NOT be eligible to play in the next scheduled game. If the next scheduled game is a forfeit, then the suspension will extend to the following weeks game. 4. Player(s) must leave the field or the game will be called and a forfeit noted for the team for whom the player is a member. 5. If that player is caught playing in the next scheduled game, the team will have a forfeit recorded and a forfeit fine assessed. In addition, the coach of the team will sit out the next scheduled game. D. Post Season Suspension 1. There will not be ejections in the post season, only suspensions. Any player suspended in the post season will NOT be eligible to participate in future post season game(s) that his/her team may play. NOTE: If the removal of this unsportsmanlike player results in the team not having enough players, the game will be forfeited (no fine will be assessed). SEC. 39 - REMOVAL FROM THE LEAGUE A. Any player(s) who has been ejected or suspended 2 times during the season will be removed from the league. 1. If that player is caught playing, his/her team will forfeit all games for the rest of the season. B. Any player(s) who engage in any physical contact as the result of an argument will be banned from the BSSC for LIFE. 1. If any contact resulting from anger occurs during a game, all players will be removed from the field and the game will be called. The team whose player(s) initiated the contact will receive a loss for that game. SEC. 40 - DECEITFUL PLAY A. Any deceitful play to circumvent/undermine the above rules or the spirit of the BSSC will be called dead immediately. The coach/player(s) will be warned by BSSC staff, with the second infraction resulting in an ejection/suspension.

SEC. 41 LIGHTNING OR RAIN DURING GAMES A. ALL BSSC softball games will end immediately, if lightning is detected in the area or if the fields become unplayable because of rain. B. To determine if games will be canceled due to lightning, the BSSC will use Strike Alert Lightning Detectors. C. Recommendations from The National Athletic Trainers Association: A flash to bang count of 60 (or 12 miles) should be your break point. Anything less is increasing the risk of death or serious injury from potential lightning strikes. With lightning detectors, a setting of 12 miles would be recommended. Immediately cease play and move to safety. D. A complete game will be recorded for the regular season if 3 innings are complete. See play-offs for exception. LEAGUE EXCEPTIONS FOR SUPER EXTREME SOCIAL SEC. 1 - RUNNERS SCORING HOME PLATE A. All plays at home plate will be forced and no tag is necessary for the runner to be called out. B. The catcher will use the batter s home plate to "force" advancing runners from 3rd. C. Runners advancing from 3rd base must tag the "scoring plate" (located on the 3rd base side of the home plate) at all times, or will be called out. SEC. 2 - NO SLIDING A. Sliding is not allowed in the Super-X league. B. This includes "diving back" after rounding a base. EXCEPTION: If the BSSC umpire considers the slide necessary in order to avoid injury or a collision. SEC. 3 - BAT RESTRICTIONS A. Double-wall bats are not be allowed in the Super Extreme. SEC. 4 POSTSEASON A. There are no postseason in the Super Extreme League. SEC. 5 WALK RULE A. There is no walk rule in Super Extreme. SEC.6 - HOME RUNS A. Every ball hit over the fence will result in the batter being called OUT. SEC. 7 DUNDALK COMMUNITY COLLEGE FIELDS A. Super Extreme will play at DCC because of the short fence at this field. B. TEAMS MAY NOT BRING ALCOHOL TO THIS FIELD LOCATION. C. Teams will FORFEIT ALL GAMES for the season, if alcohol is found on the field OR in the parking lot. D. Player(s) who are caught with alcohol will be SUSPENDED for the ENTIRE season. SEC. 8 - PITCHING A. Pitchers must have control of the strike zone and may not walk an excessive amount of batters in a row. B. If the pitcher continues to walk batters, BSSC staff will remove the pitcher from the game.