SLOW-PITCH
SOFTBALL
C O - ED L EAG UE
ROSTER
• Valid MSU ID Card Required
• 10 players fielding/batting (no additional batters)
• Must be signed up on IMLeagues Roster prior to last day of regular season
ATTIRE
• Closed toed shoes
– Cleats must be molded rubber
• No jewelry of any kind
• Athletic attire (no jeans, khakis, etc.)
GAME TIME
• Minimum of 8 eligible players must be present to start
• 10 Minutes past start time determines a forfeit:
– For every minute your team is late, the other team gets 1 run
GAME FORMAT
• 6 inning games
• No new inning starts after 40 minutes
• No extra innings in regular season
GAME FORMAT
• All softballs used during play will be provided by MSU Recreational Sports Department
• All softball bats used during play will be provided by MSU Recreational Sports Department
GAME FORMAT
• Teams may not have more than 7 members of one sex playing the field or batting in any
particular inning:
– 7 males/females & 3 females/males
– 6 males/females & 4 females/males
– 5 males/females & 5 females/males
• This applies even when playing down players
EXTRA INNINGS
• Only during playoffs
• Starts where previous inning left off
• 1 inning at a time to declare winner
MERCY RULE
• Any team up by 20 runs after 3 innings
• Any team up by 15 runs after 4 innings
• Any team up by 10 runs after 5 innings
FIELD
• MSU Softball Field (Mustangs Park)
• Deemed by the fence and net
• Any catch made carrying a player completely over the fence will be deemed no catch
INNINGS
• Each inning will start with the visitor team up to bat first
• After 3 outs, the visiting team will take the field and the home team will bat
BATTING
• A batting order must be submitted to the Rec Sports Manager prior to start of the game
• There are no female/male limitations to the batting order (i.e. male, female, male, female, etc.)
• A substitute batting must play the field in the corresponding inning
BATTING
• No bunting
– Wrists must break (automatic out)
• Only 3 home runs per game (over the fence)
– Each additional home run will be an out
• Batter must have at least one foot in the batters box
• Batter’s foot may not touch any part of home plate when hitting the ball
• Batter’s foot may not be completely out of the batter’s box when hitting the ball
BATTING
• Start with 1 – and – 1 count
• Extra foul rule:
– If a player has 2 strikes they are allowed 1 foul ball
– With 2 strikes, on player’s second foul ball, he/she is out
• If 4 balls are called, player must walk
BATTING
• If 2 outs are present:
– A male is walked AND a female is up to bat next
• The female may elect to walk or hit
– This may happen multiple times in one inning
BASE RUNNING
• Tag up
– Player must tag up if a fly ball is caught (must retreat in base path)
• Sliding may only be feet first
– Keep feet down
– Head first is an automatic out
• No substitute base runners
– Unless injury occurs
– May use substitute player OR last player to be out
BASE RUNNING
• Players may not leave the base until contact is made
– Automatic Out
• No lead offs or stealing
• Base runners may not interfere with player
• A base runner struck by a ball hit by a batter will be considered out
– If it has not be touched by any player prior
FOUL BALLS
• Anything landing on the foul ball line is considered in bounds
• Ball rolling out of bounds and entering in bounds is legal
– Prior to being touched
– Prior to passing first/third base
INFIELD FLY RULE
• Occurs when:
–
–
–
–
Fly ball to the infield AND
0 or 1 out(s) AND
Runners on 1st and 2nd OR
Runners on 1st, 2nd and 3rd
• Batter is automatically out
• Runners may still advance
– If fielder catches the ball, runners must tag up
SUBSTITUTES
• Substitutes do not have to be same sex
– May not place more than 7 of one sex on the field
• Must be made at the beginning of an inning
– Must inform rec sports manager
• Sub will stay in previous players batting order
FIELDING
• Each team must have a dedicated:
– Catcher
– Pitcher
• Fielders may not interfere with base runners
FIELDING
• Any ball exiting the field of play will deem a stoppage of play
• At the time of exit, each runner will be ‘given’ the base they are attempting
• Play is stopped once the pitcher receives the ball and is in close proximity to the mound not
attempting to make a play
PITCHING
• A pitcher must start with one foot on the rubber mound (pivot foot)
• A pitcher must keep one foot on the rubber mound until the ball is released (pivot foot)
• A pitcher may step forward with one foot while pitching
PITCHING
• All pitching will be done under hand
• A pitcher must release the ball on the first rotation of the arm
• A pitcher must have a continuous motion
• A pitcher must pitch the ball at a moderate speed
– Home plate umpire judgement call
STRIKE ZONE
• Ball must be between a 5 foot arc and 12 foot arc
• Ball must cross the batter below the shoulder and above the knee
• Ball must land in the strike zone landing area
– 3 foot deep X 2 foot wide
• Any ball striking the plate is deemed a ball
STRIKE ZONE
3 UMP MECHANICS
• No Runners
OR
• Runner on 3rd
3 UMP MECHANICS
• Runner on first base
3 UMP MECHANICS
• Any other runner
scenario
2 UMP MECHANICS
• No runners
2 UMP MECHANICS
• Runner on 1st
OR
• Runner on 1st and
3rd
2 UMP MECHANICS
• Any other runner
scenario
2 UMP MECHANICS
P L AT E A R E A S
D O U B L E P L AY
2 UMP MECHANICS
F LY B A L L
G RO U N D B A L L
2/3 UMP MECHANICS
FOUL BALL
FOUL BALL
2/3 UMP MECHANICS
I N T E R F E R E N C E ( S T E P & R E AC H )
MECHANICS
• Infield Fly
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EPkd7heH9s&list=PLQgcAzxyYqFMmaFn1RShWZ30g1ydKWq
bv&index=10
• Count
• Safe