Softball Rules

Scroll Down for Men's 12" & 16" Rules

Coed 12" & 16" Rules

1. 10 players play at time. 6 men and 4 women play on the field. Teams may start with 8 players, but 3 must be women. A maximum of 6 men may play on the field.

2. Teams must have at least 3 women playing to start and continue a game. Teams playing with 3 women must take an automatic out in the batting order in the spot that the 4th woman would bat.

3. Teams may bat as many batters as they want as long as they do not bat more than 2 males in a row at any point of the batting order. This includes the wrap around from the bottom to the top of the order. Teams may move players in and out of any fielding position as long as they remain in the same spot in the batting order.

4. BATTING ORDER RULES– Any late arriving players must be placed at the end of the batting order. No player may re-enter the game once removed from the batting order. If the male to female ratio is greater than 2:1, there is no way to have everyone bat legally in the line-up without taking an automatic out.

5. Batters begin with a 1 and 1 count. A foul with 2 strikes is a strikeout.

6. Pitchers may not use any type of fake, jump or intentional hesitation while pitching

7a. The arc limits for a pitch is:

Coed 12" - 6-foot minimum 14 foot maximum
Coed 16" - 6-foot minimum 14 foot maximum

7b. Pitches outside these limits will be called automatic balls, unless the batter swings at the pitch.

8. Strike Zone/Strike Mat: Pitches that touch the home plate or strike mat that are within the arc limits are a strike. The strike mat is used only for determining strikes. Runners coming home must touch the home plate.

9. Intentional walks are not allowed. If, in the opinion of the umpire, a pitcher is intentionally missing the strike zone in order to walk a batter, the next batter is automatically awarded 1st base.

10. There are no lead-offs. Runners may only leave the base when the batter has hit the ball and may only advance to the next base if the ball has been hit into fair territory.

11. There are no restrictions on what positions are played by men or women.

12. Coed 16" - women may wear baseball gloves. When a woman is batting, 3 outfielders must be behind restricted line (cones) until the ball is contacted. Otherwise, first base is awarded to the female.

13. Slaughter Rule is 10 or more runs after 5 innings - 4 1/2 innings if Home team has 10 run lead.

14. No Metal Spikes or metal tipped spikes are allowed under any circumstances.

15. Bat Restrictions - SEE IF YOUR BATS ARE ALLOWED!

ALL bats must bear either the ASA approved 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark. If neither of these marks is present, the bat is illegal. If one of these marks is present but the bat appears on the ASA banned bat list, then the bat is also illegal. Please Click Here for the most updated list of ASA banned bats. 

16. This rule shall be upheld in the following manner:

  • If, prior to the start of the game a banned bat has been identified, it may not be used in the game.
  • If the game has begun and a banned bat has been used, at the time of the identification of the banned bat that bat thrown out of the game.
  • If the bat has been discovered after a hit but prior to the first pitch to the next batter, the user of the banned bat will be called out and any base runners will return to their appropriate bases.
  • If the banned bat has been identified after the first pitch to the next batter, any runs or runner advancement that occurred as a result of that previous at-bat stands. The banned bat will then be thrown out of the game.

17. The NO CONTACT rule is in effect for base runners. A runner must do everything possible to avoid contact. Runners do not have to slide.... just avoid contact. Fielders are not entitled to block a base without “having a play" on the runner. Runners that initiate contact will be called out, and may be ejected from the game at the umpire’s discretion.In the event of contact, it is an "Umpire's Judgment"call, as to which player caused the contact.

18. No inning will begin 55 minutes past game time (50 minutes past game time for 16 inch games)

19. Players must have played during the regular season to be eligible for the playoffs.

20. On an overthrow, extra bases are only awarded if the ball goes out of play. Balls that hit the fence along the baselines are in play. If the ball goes out of play, a dead ball is declared and runners are awarded two bases from the last base touched at the time of the throw.

21. The pitcher must pitch from behind the imaginary line connecting 1st & 3rd base. The pitcher is not allowed to pitch from more than 5 feet behind that line. Calls on this are at the umpire's descretion.

22. During the regular season it is ok for team captains  to ask players from other teams to “Sub or Fill In” open slots on game day, to avoid forfeit. In the playoffs, a player can only participate and play for one team.  If a player is found playing on two or more teams in the playoffs all games are subject to forfeit.

FORFEITS:

Forfeit time is GAME TIME.

If your team forfeits a match during the season, the following rules apply:

  • First Offense: game recorded as loss and warning issued.
  • Second Offense: game recorded as loss and PSG staff reserves the right to remove team from league and playoffs with no refund for games not played.
  • Third Offense: Removal from the league and playoffs with no refund for games not played.

If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to call our office so as to help us schedule your opponent a game however this does not mean that your team will not receive the loss as a forfeit.

Softball Playoff Seeding Rules:

1)         Winning percentage is used to determine place in standings and will be used to determine playoff seeding.

2)         If two teams are tied in winning percentage/game record:

            a.         Head to head result(s)

            b.         Least amount of forfeits

            c.         Overall run differential (10-run max per game)

            d.         Earliest sign up date/time

3)         If three or more teams are tied in game record:

            a.         Head to head game record versus all tied teams

            b.         Least number of forfeits

            c.         Overall run differential (10-run max per game)

            d.         Earliest sign up date/time

Men's 12" & 16" Rules

1. 10 players play at time. Teams may play with 8 players.

2. Teams may bat as many batters as they would like. Any late arriving player must be placed at the end of the batting order. Teams must take an out in the batting spot of injured or early-leaving player.

3. No player may re-enter the game once he/she has been removed from the batting order. Teams must take an out in the batters spot once they have left the line-up before the end of the game.

4. Batters begin with a 1 and 1 count. A foul with 2 strikes is a strikeout.

5. Pitchers may not use any type of fake, jump or intentional hesitation while pitching

6a. The arc limits for a pitch is:

Men's 12" - 6-foot minimum 14 foot maximum
Men's 16" - 6-foot minimum 14 foot maximum

6b. Pitches outside these limits will be called automatic balls, unless the batter swings at the pitch.

7. Strike Zone/Strike Mat: Pitches that touch the home plate or strike mat that are within the arc limits are a strike. The strike mat is used only for determining strikes. Runners coming home must touch the home plate.

9. Intentional walks are not allowed. If, in the opinion of the umpire, a pitcher is intentionally missing the strike zone in order to walk a batter, the next batter is automatically awarded 1st base.

10. There are no lead-offs. Runners may only leave the base when the batter has hit the ball and may only advance to the next base if the ball has been hit into fair territory.

11. There are no restrictions on what positions are played by men or women.

13. Slaughter Rule is 10 or more runs after 5 innings - 4 1/2 innings if Home team has 10 run lead.

14. No Metal Spikes or metal tipped spikes are allowed under any circumstances.

15. Bat Restrictions - SEE IF YOUR BATS ARE ALLOWED!

ALL bats must bear either the ASA approved 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark. If neither of these marks is present, the bat is illegal. If one of these marks is present but the bat appears on the ASA banned bat list, then the bat is also illegal. Please Click Here for the most updated list of ASA banned bats. 

16. This rule shall be upheld in the following manner:

  • If, prior to the start of the game a banned bat has been identified, it may not be used in the game.
  • If the game has begun and a banned bat has been used, at the time of the identification of the banned bat that bat thrown out of the game.
  • If the bat has been discovered after a hit but prior to the first pitch to the next batter, the user of the banned bat will be called out and any base runners will return to their appropriate bases.
  • If the banned bat has been identified after the first pitch to the next batter, any runs or runner advancement that occurred as a result of that previous at-bat stands. The banned bat will then be thrown out of the game.

17. The NO CONTACT rule is in effect for base runners. A runner must do everything possible to avoid contact. Runners do not have to slide.... just avoid contact. Fielders are not entitled to block a base without “having a play" on the runner. Runners that initiate contact will be called out, and may be ejected from the game at the umpire’s discretion.In the event of contact, it is an "Umpire's Judgment"call, as to which player caused the contact.

18. No inning will begin 55 minutes past game time (50 minutes past game time for 16 inch games)

19. Players must have played during the regular season to be eligible for the playoffs.

20. On an overthrow, extra bases are only awarded if the ball goes out of play. Balls that hit the fence along the baselines are in play. If the ball goes out of play, a dead ball is declared and runners are awarded two bases from the last base touched at the time of the throw.

21. The pitcher must pitch from behind the imaginary line connecting 1st & 3rd base. The pitcher is not allowed to pitch from more than 5 feet behind that line. Calls on this are at the umpire's descretion.

22. During the regular season it is ok for team captains  to ask players from other teams to “Sub or Fill In” open slots on game day, to avoid forfeit. In the playoffs, a player can only participate and play for one team.  If a player is found playing on two or more teams in the playoffs all games are subject to forfeit.

FORFEITS:

Forfeit time is GAME TIME.

If your team forfeits a match during the season, the following rules apply:

  • First Offense: game recorded as loss and warning issued.
  • Second Offense: game recorded as loss and PSG staff reserves the right to remove team from league and playoffs with no refund for games not played.
  • Third Offense: Removal from the league and playoffs with no refund for games not played.

If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to call our office so as to help us schedule your opponent a game however this does not mean that your team will not receive the loss as a forfeit.

Softball Playoff Seeding Rules:

 

1)         Winning percentage is used to determine place in standings and will be used to determine playoff seeding.

2)         If two teams are tied in winning percentage/game record:

            a.         Head to head result(s)

            b.         Least amount of forfeits

            c.         Overall run differential (10-run max per game)

            d.         Earliest sign up date/time

3)         If three or more teams are tied in game record:

            a.         Head to head game record versus all tied teams

            b.         Least number of forfeits

            c.         Overall run differential (10-run max per game)

            d.         Earliest sign up date/time

 

Field/Park Groundrules

·          The following is a list of the fields and parks that PSG uses with which type of 12” ball would be used at the park/field (if applicable) and also highlights any special ground rules that are in play at these parks.

·          There are often trees that grow to obstruct the field of play. Unless specified otherwise for an individual park/field below, trees should be handled as follows:

·          If the ball hits a tree in fair territory and the trajectory of the ball changes or the tree otherwise impacts the play, you should declare NO PITCH and replay the pitch.

·          If the ball hits a tree in foul territory, it should be immediately called a foul ball without allowing the defense to make a play on it.

Churchill                                                                The dog park lines the first base line at Churchill. Please avoid kicking the ball into the dog park at all costs, as the dogs pop the balls nearly every time they go in there!

Clarendon Park North                                          12” WHITE – Each team is allowed to hit two homeruns per game to any field. Each consequent homerun will result in an automatic out of the batter with all runners remaining where they are. Any foul ball that hits the trees is immediately ruled foul. The ball is live if it hits any light posts. If the ball hits a tree (branches or trunk), a dead ball will be called. If it hits a tree and comes back into play, a ground rule double will be awarded. If a ball hits any part of a tree and carries over the fence it is a homerun.

DePaul (SW, NE)                                                   KB/16” – Various tractors, carts, tarps etc are in the deep outfields on both fields. If the ball gets caught in any of these items, call the ball dead and award a ground rule double to the batter. Use your best judgment if the obstruction has no impact on the play.

Eckhart Park East                                                  12” YELLOW – If the ball goes through the tree in deep left field, it is a ground rule double. It gets too dark too see whether the ball hits the tree or not so we call all balls that go through that tree a ground rule double to make it easy on everyone.

Holmgren Turf (South)                                        12” YELLOW – if we play on the dirt field (north), use white 12” balls                                                           

Humboldt Park (1, 4, 10, 11, 12)                           12” YELLOW – Fields 1 & 4 located just south of North Ave. Fields 10, 11 and 12 located just south of Division

Margate Park SW                                                   KB/12” WHITE – If the ball hits or gets caught in the tree in play in right field, it will be called a ground rule double.

Margate Park NE                                                    12” YELLOW – A cone should be placed in right field extended from where the 2nd baseman stands. If a ball rolls, flies or bounces onto the path to the right of this cone in fair territory, it is an automatic single. If a ball rolls, flies or bounces onto the path to the left of the cone, it is a ground rule double.

Margate Park SE                                                    12” YELLOW – Use normal tree rules to decide what to do with the tree that extends into fair territory down the right field line.

Pulaski Park                                                           16”/KB – There is a break in the fence in the deep outfield where the ball could roll down steps. If this occurs, call a ground rule double.

Kilbourn Park, Smith Park (SW, SE, NE)            12” WHITE – no special ground rules                                               

Brands Park (SW, SE, NE), Clarendon Middle,  KB/16” – no special ground rules

Holstein                                                                 

UIC Flames Field                                                  16” – no special ground rules

North Avenue (ME, SE, SW, NW)                         16”/12” YELLOW – no special ground rules                                    

Hamlin Park, Union Park (SE, NE, NW)              16”/KB/12” YELLOW – no special ground rules

Waveland Park, Clarendon Park South,             12” YELLOW – no special ground rules

Eckhart Park West, Loyola Park, Margate NW,

UIC Les Miller Field                             

***ALL specific ground rules can be found on the back of the clipboard each umpire provides to keep score on.

Any of the above rules are subject to change at any time without notice at the discretion of Players Sports Group. 01/20/12 SB.