Softball Rules

ASA softball rules will be enforced except where stated below.

Player Eligibility

Intramural sports competition is divided into different leagues depending on skill level. Each team or individual is encouraged to select the level which best suits their abilities and interests. The Recreational Sports Director reserves the right to move teams/individuals to a more appropriate level when necessary. Team captains are encouraged to aid this process prior to the beginning of league play. The following leagues are offered for some (not all) Intramural Sports.

"A" League is designed for teams / individuals with high skill levels, seeking intense competition. Any participant, who has tried out, is red–shirting, is currently playing or has played on an intercollegiate team, is allowed to play in "A" league, BUT only one per athlete per team.

"Open" League is designed for competitive play with some restrictions on eligibility (i.e. any participant, who has tried out, is red–shirting, is currently playing or has played on an intercollegiate team MUST wait one full year before participating in the "Open" league).

"B" League is designed for those with prior experience in the sport seeking a moderate level of competition and skill. Current and former (within 2 years) intercollegiate athletes are NOT allowed to play in "B" league.

"C" League is designed for teams/individuals with a minor amount of skills and those playing "just for fun" Current and former intercollegiate athletes are NOT allowed to play "C" league.

If participants play on a team in which they are NOT eligible, the team is in jeopardy of forfeiting the game should the opponents appeal.

• Any woman who plays on the HSU Intercollegiate Softball team is ineligible to play intramural softball until one year after playing for the team.
• A player must play in two league games to be eligible for tournament play and may not play on more than one team per league for tournament play. The first team they play on in the tournament will be their tournament team.
• Teams must have seven players (three females) to start the game. If one of the three females is injured during the game, an out will be recorded in the batting order when they are up to bat.

Player Check-In

• All players will check in at the Recreational Sports Office (Forbes Complex 151).
• Picture I.D. will be required to check in and to be eligible to play.
• If an ineligible player plays, team will forfeit game and lose forfeit fee.

Forfeits, Excused Losses & Forfeit Fees

• Teams forfeiting one game (i.e. players show up, not enough to start game) will lose $10 of their forfeit fee. The second forfeit (or excused loss) will result in the loss of another $10 and the team will be eliminated from the league (only if there are teams on the waiting list).
• Teams that allow ineligible players to play are considered to have an excused loss. These teams will fall under the same rules for an excused loss as noted above.

Game Times, Scoring, Substitution, Rules

• NEW RULE (Spring 07): ONLY WOOD BATS ARE ALLOWED! NO METAL BATS!
• NEW RULE (Fall 07):  A two-up homerun rule will be used. No team can out number their opponents in homeruns by morehtan two (2).  Any batter who hits a homerun that extends the difference by more than two (2) will be declared out.  Example: Team A hits two homeruns in the top of the first inning.  Team B is then allowed to hit four homeruns, but any team B batter who hits an additional home run will be declared out (until team A adds to their home run total).
• Game time is five minutes after the hour according to the umpires watch.
• Flip of the coin/odd or even will determine home team.
• Team at bat will keep score sheet.
• All substitutions must take place through umpire.
• If you have ten players in the field, four players must be female.
• All players in batting order are eligible to bat.
• Intramural softball plays with two different sizes of softballs. Men hit a 14 inch ball and women hit a 12 inch ball.
• Teams pitch to their own team. Each batter is allowed three pitches. If the third pitch is fouled, the batter will be given one extra pitch.
• If the batter hits incorrect size ball, batter will automatically be called out and ball is dead.
• A base runner can have a substitute runner only after they have reached first base. Must substitute last player called out and same gender.
• Home run lines will be determined before the game. The ball must be hit above certain "pipe" and "vent" lines on the wall of the Recreation Center. If the ball hits below this designated line, the defense should play the ball off the wall. If the ball hits the wall in fair territory and then bounces into an out of play area, the batter/runner will receive a ground rule double.
• Game time will be 50 minutes from umpire´s game call.
• If you are playing with a tenth player, the tenth player must position themselves in front of second base.
• Ball is not dead until pitcher has ball in their hand, play has stopped, and the umpire calls time.
• If pitcher is hit with ball, batter is called out and ball is dead.

Sportsmanship

• Every game, teams are awarded points (based on evaluations by game officials) for sportsmanship. A maximum of five points may be awarded per game. Teams must have 19 points (based on a five game schedule) to advance to the championship tournament. If teams play more than five games, their awarded per game must average 3.8 points. Points are awarded as follows:
  • 5 Points – Outstanding sportsmanship displayed by all members of the team.
  • 4 Points – Average sportsmanship displayed by all members of the team.
  • 3 Points – One unsportsmanlike like foul (or serious incident) was assessed to a team/player and/or a team played with an ineligible player and/or had an excused loss.
  • 2 Points – Two unsportsmanlike fouls (or serious incident) were assessed to a team/player(s) or a player was ejected from the game.
  • 1 Point – The game officials ejected a player then had to be asked to leave the field.
• If a player is ejected from a game, they must report to the Recreational Sports Office and complete a Suspension Form. The player will be ineligible to participate in the League or any programs offered by the Recreational Sports Office until the Suspension Form is received and the Director of Recreational Sports meets with the individual to determine the player´s continued eligibility.