FREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATION
SOFTBALLRULEBOOK
RevisedJanuary1,2016
FreedomSportsAssociation
www.FreedomSports.com
Phone:(877)211-7373
Fax:(888)273-8531
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SuiteK
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AllRightsReserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedorutilizedin
anyformorbyanymeanswithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.
Copyright©2016
FreedomSportsAssociation
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ALLRIGHTSRESERVED
FREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATION
SOFTBALLRULES
TABLEOFCONTENTS:
ADULTSLOWPITCH
YOUTHFASTPITCH
GeneralGuidelines
Definitions
ClassificationsandRoster
Guidelines
FieldofPlay
Equipment
TheGame
ThePlayersandSubstitutions
BaseRunning
Pitching
Batting
DeadBall-BallInPlay
Appeals
Protest
Conduct
Umpire
Women’sProgram
CoedProgram
Master’sProgram
MilitaryProgram
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WorldTournament
Pg.30
GeneralGuidelines
Definitions
ClassificationsandRoster
Guidelines
FieldofPlay
Equipment
TheGame
ThePlayersandSubstitutions
BaseRunning
Pitching
Batting
Appeals
Protest
Conduct
Umpire
8&UnderModifiedRule
10&UnderModifiedRule
WorldSeriesRules
Insurance
CommunicableDisease
Procedures
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FREEDOMADULTSLOWPITCH
GENERALGUIDELINES
Itistheresponsibilityofcoaches,managers,sponsorsandplayerstoknowtheFREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATION
RulesandBy-Laws.IgnoranceoftheseRulesandBy-Lawsisnotgroundsforprotestorappeal.Softballisa
contactsport,playedwithComposite,Aluminum,Woodandotherapprovedmaterialsindesignofapproved
bats.Thegameofsoftballcanbeadangeroussporttoparticipatein.Playingthegameofsoftball,theplayer(s)
participatinginthegameofsoftballassumeforthemselvestheriskofseriousinjuryorpossibledeath.By
agreeingtobeplacedonanFREEDOMSPORTSroster,theparticipantsunderstandtheserisks.
FreedomSportsAssociationhasimplementedaZEROalcoholtoleranceruleatallparksthatdon'tservealcohol.
Playerscaughtconsumingalcoholatthefieldswillbeaskedtoleavethefacility.Ifplayerarguestheywillbesubjectto
suspension.Wewillnolongertoleratedrinkingandtheresultingbadbehavior.Players'willneverbepermittedto
consumealcoholindugoutareasduringgameplayataparkthatdoesallowalcohol.
FreedomSportsAssociation:Anyrulethatisnotoutlinedorhasgreyareainthisrulebook,Saiddirectorwillofthat
eventwillbeabletomakeanactivedecisionandrulingonthatsituation.Thiswillcoverallscenrario’sthataren’t
completelyoutlinedandormissingfromtherulebook
RULEINTERPRETATIONS
Generalslow-pitchtermsusedinFREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATIONsoftballplay,suchasbatter,runner,
fielder,infieldfly,etc.,willbegenerallythesameasdefinedbyallmajorsoftballassociations.Ifan
interpretationisunabletobemadebytheTournamentDirectorandtheUICofaspecificevent,thenateam
mayprotesttotheAreaDirectorforadecision.ShouldtherebenoAreaDirectorbinding.AnyFreedom
DirectororUmpirewhomhasanyinterestinanappeal(whetherplayer,coach,sponsor,etc)mayhaveany
involvementonthefinalruling.
DEFINITIONS
ALTEREDBAT–Abatisconsideredtobealteredwhenthephysicalstructureofalegalbathasbeen
changed,oranon-approvedbathasbeenchangedtoresemblealegalbat.Usinganyprocessthatexerts
morepressureonabatthanisexperiencedduringnormalplay,suchasrollingorshavingabat,is
consideredalteringabat.Batswithcrackswillbeconsideredillegalandarenotdeemedallowedinplay
andcanresultinasuspensionifplayeriscaughtusingone.EFFECT:Playerwillbewarnedandifcaught
usingthecrackedbatagainplayerwillbeimmediatelyejectedandsuspendedfor(1)yearfromanyFSAevent
APPEALPLAY-Aplayinwhichanumpirecannotmakearulinguntilrequestedbyateammanager,coach,
orplayer.Appealmustbemadetotheumpiremakingthecall.AppealmustbemadeANYTIMEbeforeany
ofthefollowing:
A.Nextlegalpitch
B.Thepitcherandallinfieldershaveleftfairterritory
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C.TheOfficialshaveleftthefieldofplay.
Judgmentcallscannotbeappealed.
BALL-Official“FREEDOMSPORTS”stamped44-400or44-425core-compressionsoftballsmustbeusedin
allFreedomplay.Theballmustbeopticyellowand12inchesincircumference.NOTE:Useofanonapprovedballmaybeprotestedbytheopposingteam(oncebatterhastakenthebatter'sbox.)andanoutwill
bedeclared.Ifprotestedbefore,theballistobereplacedwiththecorrectballnopenaltywillbeenforced.
Opposingteammayalsoprotestaballthathasbeenputinplay.EFFECT:Allrunnersshallreturntolastbase
occupied,andplayerhittingtheballisout.NOTE:FreedomSportsopticyellowballistheonlyballlegalfor
gameplay.
BATS–Theofficialbatshallberoundincrosssection,straightinlengthandmeasure34incheslong,
includingtapeorothergripadditionstothebat,andnotmorethan2-1/4inchesindiameteratitslargest
part.Itsweightshallbeatleast25ouncesbutnotmorethan38ounces.ThebatmusthaveaUSSSAstamp
onbatneworoldbutmustbestampedUSSSAapproved.Thebatshallhaveasafetygripoftapeorsome
othermaterialtofacilitateholdingthebatduringthebatter’sswing.Thesafetygripshallbenotlessthan6
incheslong,norextendmorethan15inchesfromthesmallend,orhandleend,ofthebat.Thebatmustbe
smooth,roundandfreefromdeepdents,cracks,flatspots,rivetsorothersuchhazardousdefects.Wedo
notallowASAonlystampedbatsinthefieldofplayofanyFSAevents.NOTE:Anybatwithsuchdefectswill
bedeemedunsafeandremovedfromgameplay.Graphics,includingBPFmarkings,mustbepermanentand
cannotbedecalsoranyothermethodthatcanbeeasilyremovedoraddedtothebat.Theperformance
standardforallnon-woodenbatswillbeaBatPerformanceFactor(BPF)of1.20,orlessundertheASTMBPF
testingprocedure.Thebatshallbemadeofaluminum,composite,fiberglass,wood,orothersuchmaterials
approvedbyFREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATION.
BASEPATH–Theimaginarydirectline,aswellasthree(3)toeithersideofthedirectline,betweenabase
andarunner’spositionatthetimeadefensiveplayerisattemptingtoapplyatag.
BLOCKEDBALL-Anyballhittingaplayeroroffensiveequipmentotherthantheondeckbatterorbatter’s
equipment,shallbedeclaredanout.Baserunnerclosesttohomeplateshallbetheoutandallotherrunners
mustreturntotheirbaseheldlast.ABlockedBallisNOTdeclaredwhentheballstrikesabasecoachoran
OfficialasanOfficialisdeemedpartoftheplayingfield.
BUNT-Abuntisafairballinwhichthebatterdoesnottakeafullswingattheballbutholdsthebatin
suchamannerinthepathoftheballtotaptheballslowlytotheinfield.Achoppedballisnotabunt.
EFFECT:Theballisdead,thebatterisout,andbaserunnersmaynotadvance.
CATCH-Acatchisalegallycaughtballthatoccurswhenafieldersecuresabattedorthrownballwith
his/herhandorglove.Iftheballismerelyheldinthefielder’sarms,orpreventedfromdroppingtothe
groundbysomepartofthefielder’sbodyorclothing,thecatchisnotcompleteuntiltheballisinthegrasp
ofthefielder’shandorglove.Itisnotacatchifafielder,immediatelyafterhe/shecontactstheball,collides
withanotherplayer,orfence,orfallstothegroundanddropstheballasaresultofthecollisionorfallingto
theground.Inestablishingavalidcatch,thefieldershallhavecompletecontroloftheball,andhis/her
releaseoftheballisvoluntaryandintentional.Exclusionappliesonlywhenfielderdropstheballduring
thetransferinanattempttomakeanotherplay.
CHOPPEDBALL–Whenthebatterstrikesdownwardwithachoppingmotionsothattheballbounceshigh
intotheair,thisisconsideredachoppedhitball.EFFECT:AchoppedballisalegalswinginFSA.
COACH-Amemberoftheteamatbatwhotakeshis/herplaceinthecoach’sboxtodirecthis/herplayersin
runningthebases.Twocoachesareallowed,onepositionedatfirstbaseandonepositionedatthirdbase.
Onecoachcanhaveinhispossessionascorebookandanindicator,whichshallbeusedforscorekeeping
purposesonly.Thedefensivecoaches/managermustremaininthedugout,astheirnormalposition,when
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theirteamisplayingdefense.Failuretoobeythisrule,afterawarningisissued,willresultinthe
coach/managerbeingejected.
COUNTBALLS/STRIKES-Battersstartwitha1and1countandnocourtesyfoul.AnyQualifier,State&
NationalTournamentsshallbe1and1countandnocourtesyfoulaswell.
DISLODGEDEQUIPMENT–Whenafieldercontactsorcatchesabattedorthrownballwithhisorhercap,
gloveoranypartofhisorheruniformwhiledetachedfromitsproperplace.
EFFECT:Theballisdeadandtherunnershallbeentitledtothree(3)basesifabattedballortwo(2)basesif
athrownball.Iftheillegalactwasmadeonafairballthat,inthejudgmentoftheumpire,wouldhavecleared
theoutfieldfenceinflight,ahomerunshallbeawarded,andafour(4)baseerrorwillbescoredontheplay
withthehomerunnotcountingagainsttheteam’shomeruntotal.
DEADBALL-Theballisnotinplayandnotconsideredinplayagain,untilthepitcherhastheballinhis
possessionandtheumpirehascalled“playball”.
DELAYEDDEADBALL-Aninfraction,signaledbytheumpire,inwhichtheballremainsaliveuntilallplay
hasbeencompletedandtheumpirecallstime.
DIVISIONOFPLAY–Thedifferentdivisionsofplayofferedare:Major(12hr),Elite(8hr),UpperCompetitive
(5hr),Competitive(3hr),LowerCompetitive(2hr),Rec(1hr),UpperCoed(8hr),CompCoed(4hr),Lower
Coed(2hr),UpperWomen's(unlimitedhr)andLowerWomen's(1hr).Womenmayparticipateinevery
divisionofplaywithnominimumsormaximumsperteam.Meaning,theycanplayintheMen’sdivision,
CoeddivisionsorWomen’sdivision,theylikeanyotherplayermustbe18yrs.ofageandhavesignedthe
waiver.
DROPPEDBALL–Anyballtouchedbyafieldernotruledtobea"catch”EFFECT:Anyballruledtobe
droppedintentionallyshallbedeclaredadeadball.Thisincludesaballthat'snaturalpathhasbeenalteredby
afielder.Afieldermayallowaballtodropintentionallywithoutpenaltyaslongasthefielderdoesnotmake
contactwiththeball.Ifthefielderdoesmakecontactwiththeballallrunnersreturntotheirlastheldbase
andbattershallbedeclaredout.Awarningshallbegiventodefensiveplayer,asecondinfractiondeeming
saidplayerejectedforunsportsmanlikeconduct.
EXTRAINNINGS-Whenaregulationgameendsinatie,ORthecompletionofthecurrentinningafterthe
timehasexpiredandthescoreistied.EFFECT:TheTieBreakerrulewillbeused.Atthebeginningofeach
team'sat-batthelastbattedoutfromthepreviousinningortheFREEDOMRUNNERisplacedon2ndbase.
Extrainningsshallbe1-Pitch,nocourtesyfoul.Itisnotsuddendeath.Eachteamhasanopportunitytobat
eachinning.Thegameendswhenoneteamisaheadattheendofaninning.
FAKETAG-Whenafieldernotreceivingathrowfakesthecatchingmotion.EFFECT:Faketagsare
prohibited.Faketagsshallresultineachbaserunnerbeingawardedoneadditionalbase.Playershallalsobe
warned.Asecondoffenseshallresultinplayerbeingejectedfromthegame.
FAIRBALL-Abattedballthat:
1. Isonoroverfairterritorywhenstoppedintheinfieldorisboundingtowardtheoutfield.Contact
withanyBaseshallbeafairball.
2. Firstmakescontactinfairterritorybeyond1Bor3Bincludingthefoulline.
3. Passesovertheoutfieldfencewhileoverfairterritoryorhitsthefoulpoles.
4. Hitsanoutfieldfenceonorbetweenthefoulpoles.
FIELDINGGLOVE-Glovesmustbewornbyallfielders.PlayershavetheFREEDOMtouseANYglove(not
greaterthan15fifteeninches)atanyposition,atanytime.
FOULBALL-Anybattedballthatstopsorsettlesinfoulterritorywithoutfirstbeingtouchedinfair
territory,orwhichisfirsttouchedinfoulterritory,orthatfirsttouchessomeout-of-playobjectorareain
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foulterritory,orthatfirsttouchesfoulgroundbeyondfirstandthirdbase,orwhichdoesnotconformto
therequirementsthatwouldmakeitafairball.EFFECT:Baserunnershavethefreedomtomakeanattempt
toadvanceonanycaughtball,thisincludesthirdstrikecaughtball.
FOULTIP-Afoultipisabattedballthatgoesdirectlyfromthebat,nothigherthanthebattershead,tothe
catcher’shandsorglove,andislegallycaughtbythecatcher.Afoultipisastrikeifnotcaught.Thebatteris
outifitisthethirdstrike.AfoultipisalsoaDeadBall.
FORCEOUT-Aforceoutisanoutwhichcanbemadeonlywhenabase-runnerlosestherighttothebasehe/sheis
occupyingbecausethebatterbecomesarunner,andbeforethebatterorasucceedingbaserunnerhasbeenputout.
FORFEIT-Scoreofaforfeitgameshallbedeemeda7-0winforthenon-forfeitingteaminsuchcaseasthe
tournamentdirectorisunabletoobtainanalternateteamtoplayintheforfeitingteamsplace.
ILLEGALLYBATTEDBALL–Battershavethefreedomtohittheballwhenatleastoneportionofhis/her
footismakingcontactwiththebatter'sboxandtheotherfootisnottouchingthegroundcompletely
outsideofthebatter'sboxorismakinganycontactwithhomeplate.Penaltyshallbeadeadballout.
ILLEGALPLAYER-Illegaluseofre-entryrule,oranunreportedsubstituteorbaserunnershallbedeemed
anIllegalPlayer.Thisillegalplayerwillbedeemedanout.Thisalsoconstitutesaplayerplayingundera
falsename,playinginaclasshe/shedoesn’tbelongandplayingwithtoomanydropdownsontheteam.
Thosecircumstanceswillleadtoejection,andforfeitfromaplayedeventandcannotbesubstitutedfor
oncedeemedillegal.
INELIGIBLEPLAYER-Playerunderanassumednameoraplayernotontheteams’roster.EFFECT:Penalty
shallresultinimmediateForfeitofgameifprotestedproperly.TheTournamentDirectororUICmay
declareaplayerineligibleimmediatelywithouthavingateamprotest,regardlessoftheirrosterstatus.
INFIELDFLY-Aninfieldflyisafairball,notincludingalinedrive,whichcanbecaughtbyaninfielderwith
ordinaryeffortwhen1stand2ndor1st,2nd,and3rdbasesareoccupiedbeforetwoareout.Anyfielder
cancatchaninfieldfly.NOTE:Whenitseemsapparentthatabattedballwillbeaninfieldfly,theumpire
shallimmediatelysignalanddeclare“INFIELDFLY–BATTERISOUT”toaidtherunners.Iftheballisnearthe
foullines,theumpireshalldeclare“INFIELDFLY–BATTERISOUT,IFFAIR”.Theballisaliveandrunnersmay
advanceattheriskoftheballbeingcaught,orretouchandadvanceafterafieldertouchestheball.
INTERFERENCE–Theactofanoffensiveplayer,whichimpedesorconfusesadefensiveplayerwhile
attemptingtoexecuteaplay.Vocalinterferencemaybedeemedinterference.Anexamplewouldbea
baserunnerattemptingtointentionallyblockathrownball.Thatsaidplayerwouldautomaticallybeout.
INNING-Aninningisthatportionofagamewithinwhichtheteamsalternatebetweenoffense/defense
andtherearethreeoutsforeachteam.Anewinningbeginswhenthethirdoutofthebottomofaninningis
recorded.
LEGALLYCAUGHTBALL-Alegallycaughtballoccurswhenafieldercatchesabattedorthrownball,
providedtheballisnotcaughtinthefielder’scap,hat,pocket,protectororanyotherpartofhis/her
uniform.Itmustbecaughtandfirmlyheldwiththehand,handsorglove.
LINEUP–Teamsmusthaveaminimumof8playerstobeeligibletobeginagame.However,teamshavethe
FREEDOMtosubmitalineupwithonly8or9players,andwithoutpenalty.Latearrivingplayersareonly
eligibletofillinthe9thand/or10thpositionswithoutpenaltyiftheywerenotlistedonthelineupcardand
the9and10spotwereblankspotsonthecard.Ateamcanprelistupto12players,butoutswillbe
declaredinthevacantspotsuntiltheplayerarrivesforgame.Ifmissingplayerswerelisted,thenthevacant
spotsinthelineupshallbedeclaredoutsuntilsuchtimeasthelatearrivingplayerscantaketheirturnin
thelineup.ApitcherhastheFREEDOMtointentionallywalkabattertogettoouts.Teamsmaybatupto12
playersinthelineup.AllteamsthatareplayinginFreedomSportseventshavetherighttoseetheofficial
lineupcardbeforethegameaftereachteamhasfilleditout.
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OBSTRUCTION–Whenadefensiveteammemberhindersorimpedesabatter’sattempttomakecontact
withapitchedballorwhoimpedestheprogressofarunnerorbatter-runnerlegallyrunningthebases,
unlessthefielderisinpossessionoftheballorisfieldingabattedball,executingaplayorcatchinga
thrownball.Theactmaybeintentionalorunintentional,physicalorverbal.
NOTE:Catcherobstructioniscalledwhenthecatcherobstructsthebatterwhoisattemptingtohitorswing
atapitch.Priortothepitch,catcherobstructiondoesnotapply,adeadballshallbecalledandallowthe
battertoresetthemselves.Effect:Ifobstructionoccurs,thebaserunnerwillbeawardedthenextbase,and
deemedsafeifheistaggedoutintheprocessofanobstruction.Theplayermustbeintheprocessofadvancing
andmustoccupythenextbagtobeawardedthatbase.
OVERTHROW–Aplayinwhichaballisthrowntoretirearunnerwhohasnotyetreachedorisoffbase
andgoesintofoulterritorybeyondtheboundarylinesoftheplayingfieldorisblocked.
PROTEST-Whenateamdisputesanumpire’sinterpretationofaplayingrule,aplayereligibilityor
equipment.ProtestsmustbedeclaredtothePlateUmpirebeforethenextpitchfollowingthedispute.No
protestwillbeallowedfollowingthegame.TournamentOfficialsandUICwillruleonallprotestsandtheir
decisionwillbefinal
RETOUCH-Theactofarunnerinreturningtotouchabaseaslegallyrequired.
STEALING-Theactofarunnerattemptingtoadvanceduringthepitchorafterthepitchhasreachedthe
plateisconsideredtobetheactofstealing.NOTE:Baserunnersmayattempttoadvanceupontheball
hittingthegroundanywherebeforeorbeyondtheplate,onceitcrosseshomeplateormakescontactwith
plate,whicheveroccursfirst.ItisaDeadball,ifbatterswings,makesafalseswingattemptorfoulsofftheball.
Theballisliveandstealingcanoccurifithitshomeplate.
STRIKEZONE-Thestrikezoneisonlythatpart,oranypartofthearea,overhomeplatethatislower
thanthetopofthebatter’sbackshoulder,orhigherthanthebottomofhisfrontknee.Theballmustcross
inthiszoneandthepitchmustbefrom4feetto10feetfromtheground.
TIME–Thetermusedbytheumpiretoordersuspensionofplay.NOTE:MostdivisionsinFreedomSports
allowstealing.theballwillbedeemedliveuntiltheumpire/officialsignalstimeandorcallstheplaydeadand
stopped.Timeistoneverbeassumed.
THREEFOOTLINE-Isalineparallelto,andthreefeetfromthebaseline,startingatapointhalfway
betweenhomeplateand1stbase.Thebatter-baserunnerisdeclaredoutwhenhe/sherunsoutsidethe
three-footline,andinthejudgmentoftheumpireinterferes,intentionallyorunintentionally,withthe
fielderattemptingtofieldabattedball,orinterferingwithathrownball.
TURNATBAT-Aplayer’sturnatbatbeginswhenhe/sheentersthebatter’sboxandcontinuesuntil
he/sheisputoutorbecomesabaserunner.
RULE1.CLASSIFICATIONSANDROSTERGUIDELINES
Sec.1.TEAMCLASSIFICATION:Teamsshallbeclassifiedatthehighestlevelthatthemajorityoftheir
playershaveplayedwithothersoftballassociationsrecognizedbyandingoodstandingwithFreedom
SportsAssociation.Anyteammaysubmita“ClassificationAppeal”inwritingtoFreedomSports
Associationviaourwebsiteandalldecisionswillberesearchedandapproved/deniedwithin10business
days.Freedomreservestherighttobumpordropateamatanytimeattheirowndiscretion.Teamsbeing
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bumpedordroppedshallbringtheirpointswiththeminfull.Allrostersmustbesubmittedandapproved
forFreedomSportsplay.
Sec.2.PLAYERCLASSIFICATION:Playerclassificationislistedonthenationalwebsiteat
www.FreedomSports.com.Theclassificationwillbetheplayer’scurrentstatusandwillhavehis/her
classificationlistedrightnexttohis/hernameinthesystem,thesystemmaynotalwaysbecorrectfor
player’sclass.Alwayscheckwiththedirectorbeforebringingsaidplayerstoevents.NOTE:AllPlayersare
responsiblefortheirownclassificationandknowingwhatclasstheyarerankedwithintheFreedomSports"
playerclassification"system.
Sec.3.PLAYERELIGILITY:Playersmustbeatleast18yearsofagetoplayFREEDOMsanctionedadult
softballtournamentsandleagues.AplayerMUSThavesignedaFREEDOMrosterwithliabilitywaivertobe
allowedtoparticipateinanyFREEDOMplay.Ifaplayeriscaughtplayingwithoutsigningrosterbutison
theprintedrosterhewillbeejectedfromgameandbeanoutinthelineupandthenmustcomesignroster
tobeabletoplayfuturegamesinthatevent.NOTE:Teamsplayingwithoutsigningarostershallbecause
forimmediateforfeitoftheteam.PlayersarenoteligibleforplayinFREEDOMuntilrosterhasbeenapproved
byaFreedomStateDirector,RegionalDirector,ortheFreedomClassificationBoard.
Sec.4.REQUIREDTEAM/PLAYERMOVEUPPOLICY:LowercompetitiveandCompetitiveteamswhich
finishin1st,2ndplaceand3rdplaceatWorldSerieswillberequiredtomoveuptothenexthigher
classification.Theseteamswillnotbeallowedtore-classasateamorindividualplayersthefollowing
calendaryear.NOTE:Thisdoesnotapplytoco-eddivisionsasthosearedeterminedbythecurrentyear
playerclassification.
Sec.5.TEAMROSTERGUIDELINES-FREEDOMrosterswillbelimitedto20playerspersanctioningyearof
whicheveryplayermustbeincludedonanonlinerosteratwww.FreedomSports.com.Ifateamchangesits
nameduringsaidcalendaryeartheyarerequiredtopayanewsanctionfee.Playersmaybeaddedonto
teamrostersuntilstatetournament.PlayersbeingaddedmustbeapprovedbytheStateDirectoror
RegionalDirectorandcannothaveplayedwithateamofmorethanonelevelhigherclassperthe“Drop
DownRule”.Inaddition:
A.Teamscanhave(2)Dropdownsfromonedivisionhigherthentheycurrentlyplayin.Example:A
Recreationdivisionteamcanhave(2)dropdownsfromLowerComp.
B.Playersmaynotdropdownmorethanonelevelasa"pickup".Example:Noplayersfrom
competitivedivisioncanplaydownintherecreationdivision.
C.Ifthecoach/managerreleasesaplayerfromtherosterhe/sheisfreetobeaddedbacktothatroster
atanytimeatthecoach’sdiscretion.Ifaplayerrequeststobereleased,thenhe/shearenolongereligible
toreturntothatrosterduringthecurrentcalendaryear.
D.Ifaplayerplaysupalevelfromhis/heroriginalclassinaNationalevent(WinterNationals,States,
NITorWorlds)thatplayerwillbelockedintothehigherclass.EXCEPTION:Ateamcanhaveaplayerplay
upwithpriorapprovalfromthenationalofficeorAreadirectorwithNOpenaltyaslongasplayerwillnotbea
permanentplayer
E.Allteamsthatwerenotmovedupduringthepreviousyearandhaddropdownplayers,andthose
playerswhoweredropdownswillstillcountasdropdownsonceagain.Thoseplayershavearightto
appealtobedroppedaclassthroughtheFreedomSportsAssociationnationalwebsite.
F.OnceateamhascompleteditsfirstgameduringaFREEDOMtournament,thatteamwillnotbe
permittedtoaddadditionalplayerstoitsrosterwithoutspecialpermissionandforgoodcause.This
permissionmustbegrantedbytheTournamentDirector.
G.Teamsmayalwaysplayupadivisionbutcanneverplaylowerthantheircurrentapproveddivision
ofplay.
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H.Anyteamwithmoredropdownplayersthenallowedbycurrentclassificationruleswillconstitute
thatteamtobeconsideredthelevelabove.Example:ARecteamwith(3)LowerCompetitiveplayerswill
beaLowerCompetitiveteam.ARecteamwith(3)ormoreCompetitivePlayerswillbeaCompetitive
team.
I.Therewillbenorotatingofdropdownplayers.Thismeansateamcannotbringmorethan2drop
downsperteam.Allplayersplayingmustbeontheroster,andwhenmorethanalloweddropdownsareon
theroster,theteamwillbeconsideredaclassificationlevelhigherorapplicabletowhotheycarryontheir
roster.Theteamwillalsobeforfeitedoutofgameortournamentwithillegalrosters.
Sec.6.LOCKEDROSTERS-Playerswhomareona“Worlds”qualifyingteamroster,willbefrozentothat
teamrosterforallother“WORLDSQUALIFYING”Tournaments.During“NonWorldsQualifyingEvents”,
playersmaypickup,WITHAPPROVAL,onanotherteam’sroster.ATeammusthaveaminimumof(6)
rosteredplayerstoearnpointstowardstheFreedomPointsRace.Aplayeronafrozenrosterwillneverbe
allowedtobeaddedtoanotherteam’srosterunlessaplayerreleaseformhasbeensubmittedand
approvedbytheStateDirectorortheNationalOffice.Anyplayercaughtplayingonanotherrosterwillbe
suspendedregardlessoftheclassificationbeingplayedforaperiodof(6)months.
A.Atthetimeateam’srosterbecomeslocked;theteamwillbeallowedtoadd(2)non-lockedplayersto
theirfrozenworldroster.TheseadditionsmustbeapprovedbytheFREEDOMNationalOfficeandmaynot
exceedtherosterlimitations.Ifforanyreasontheteamaddsmoreplayersthantheallotted(2)pickups,
theirworldberthwillbeforfeitedandtheirrosterwillbeunlockedandtheywillneedtoqualifyagainfor
worldserieswithanewroster.Example:TeamAwinsanNITandgetsaberthtoaworldseries.TeamA
thendecidestorelease(4)playersandneedstopickup(3)playerstohaveavalidroster.TeamAwill
forfeittheirworldberthandbeforcedtoqualifyforworldseriesagain.Underextenuatingcircumstances,
the2playerpickupmaybechangedattheFreedomNationalOfficesdiscretion.
B.Playersmaybereleasedfromarosterofaqualifiedteamonlyunderthefollowingconditions:
1.ThequalifiedteamdisbandsandwrittennoticeisgiventotheFREEDOMSPORTS
ASSOCIATIONNationalOffice.
2.WrittennoticehasbeensubmittedtotheFREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATIONNational
Officewithwrittennoticereturnedtotheteammanagerorcoach,confirmingapprovalofplayer’srelease.
Aplayermayneverreturntoateamthatitreleasedfromduringthecurrentseason.
Sec.7.FREEDOMROSTER(WAIVERANDRELEASEOFLIABILITYFORM)Anyteamcaughtplayingina
FREEDOMTournamentwithoutturninginacompletedteamrosterincludingsignaturesofallparticipating
players,anddriverslicensenumber,willforfeitanygamethatbeganwithoutrosterhavingbeenturned
intotheTournamentDirector.Also:
A.Anyplayerwhosignsafakenametoarosterwillreceivea(1)yearsuspensionfromthedateofsaid
occurrence.
B.Anyteamcaughtwithforgedsignaturesonanofficialroster,willbesuspendedfromallFREEDOM
playfor(6)SIXMonths.
C.AnyplayercaughtplayinginaFREEDOMTournamentwithoutsigningtheirteamrostercanbe
suspendedfromallFREEDOMplayfor(6)SIXMonths.
D.Aplayer’snameonarosterunsigneddoesnotguaranteetheteamthattheplayerinquestionisa
validrosteredplayer.Example:TeamBwritesJohnSmithsnameontheteamsNITrosterandJohnSmith
wasnottheretoplay.IftheywinaberthatthistournamentJohnSmithwillnotbeconsideredontheroster
untiltherosterisclearedtoinsurehedoesnotputtheteamovertheirrosterlimitations,untilitisconfirmed
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heisnotonanotherlockedroster,anduntilnoticeisgiventotheFreedomNationalOfficebysaidplayer
statingthatheisindeedapartoftheteam.
Sec8.PENALTYFORTEAMREMOVALFROMANEVENT–Ifateampullsoutofasaidtournamentonce
gametimesareannounced;theteamwillberequiredtopayfullentryforthattournament.Alltournament
gametimesforregulareventsarepostedtheThursdaybeforetheevent,onalllargereventsgametimes
maybereleasedasearlyasMondaybeforetheevent.Pleasebeawareofthepenaltyofpullingoutofa
tournamentafterscheduleannouncement.Teamandallplayerswillbesuspendeduntilfullamounthas
beenpaidforthispenalty.
RULE2.
FIELDOFPLAY
EveryeffortwillbemadebyeachFreedomDirectortoobtainSoftballComplexeswiththeofficialfield
dimensions.Eachdirectorwillcompensateanyvarieddistanceswhenpossible.
Sec.1.BASEPATHS.TheprimarydistancesforFREEDOMare70’BasePaths.
Sec.2.PITCHINGPLATE.Thepitchingplateshallbe24inchesinlength,whiteandmadeofrubber.
DIVISIONS
PITCHINGDISTANCE
AdultMen'sSlowPitch
53ft
AdultWomen’sSlowPitch
53ft
AdultCoedSlowPitch
53ft
AdultMilitarySlowPitch
53ft
Sec.3.FENCEDISTANCES.Thesuggestedfencedistanceforalldivisionsis300ft.Distancesmayvary
dependingonparkorcomplex.
Sec.4.DOUBLEBASE.Thedoublefirstbasemaybeused.Oneportionofthebaseiswhite[whichwillbein
fairterritoryandtheotherisorangeorcolored[whichwillbeinfoulterritory].
A.Anybattedballhittingthewhiteportionofadoublefirstbasebagwillbecalledafairball.Any
battedballhittingtheorangeorcoloredportionofadoublefirstbasebagwillbecalledafoulball.
B.Wheneveraplayisbeingmadebythedefensiveplayeratfirstbase,thedefensiveplayermust
usethewhiteportionofadoublefirstbasebagandthebatter-runnermustusetheorangeorcolored
portionofadoublefirstbasebag.Whenathrowpullsthedefensiveplayerovertheorangeorcoloredpart
ofthedoublebase,therunnermayusethewhiteportiontoavoidacollision.
Whenthisoccurs,nopenaltywillbeenforcedAbaserunnermaybeincontactwithonlythewhitebag
whenstandingonbase.
1.Ifabatter-runnertouchesthewhiteportionofadoublefirstbasebagwhenaplayis
beingmadebyadefensiveplayer,therunnerwillbecalledoutbytheumpire,andadeadballwillbe
declared.
2.Interferenceandanoutwillbecalledonthebatter-runnerifthatsaidbatter-runner
touchesthewhiteportionofadoublefirstbasebagandcollideswiththedefensiveplayerwhoisaboutto
catchathrownball.Thiswillalsoresultinadeadballbeingcalledandallotherrunnersmustreturnto
theirlastoccupiedbase.
Thisruleisineffectonlyontheinitialplayatfirstbase.Thisdoesnotinclude:
A.Returningtothebaseafteroverrunning,
B.Runningonabasehittotheoutfield(runnermaytouchtheorangeorwhitepart)
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C.Re-tagtoadvanceonaflyball.
NOTE:Ifthebaserunnerusestheorangeportionatanytimeaftersafelysecuringfirstbaseandisnotin
contactwiththewhiteportionbeforethepitcherthrowsthenextlegalpitch.EFFECT:He/sheisconsidered
offthebaseandUmpireshallcallaDeadBallOut.
Sec.5.BATTER’SBOX.Thebatter’sboxshallbeseven(7)feetinlengthandthree(3)feetwide.The
batter’sboxshallbesix(6)inchesfromtheplateandthefrontofthebatter’sboxshallbefour(4)feetfrom
thecenteroftheplate.
Sec.6.COACHESBOX.Thecoachesboxisbehindaline15feetlongdrawnoutsidethediamond.Theline
isparallelto,andeightfeetfrom,thefoullinesextendedfromthebasestowardhomeplate. NOTE:Ifduringtheplayingofanygamethebasedistance,pitchingdistanceoranyothermarkeddistance
isfoundtobeinerror,theerrorshouldbecorrectedimmediatelyandthegameshouldbecontinued.This
isnotapointtobeprotested.
RULE3. EQUIPMENT
Allequipmentmustconformtoindustrystandardsandmustnotbealteredinanywayorform.
Sec.1.OFFICIALBAT-Theapprovedbatshallnotbemorethan34inchesinlengthandnomorethan38
ouncesinweightTheperformancestandardforallnon-woodenbatswillbeaBatPerformanceFactor
(BPF)of1.20,orlessundertheASTMBPFtestingprocedure.Thebatshallbemadeofaluminum,
composite,fiberglass,orothersuchmaterialsandshallmeetFREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATIONbat
standards.Thefollowingwillalsoapply:
FreedomshallreciprocatetheapprovalofallbatsonthecurrentUSSSAapprovedbatlistnewandold
stamp.SeniorbatsarenotallowedinFreedominanydivision,eveniftheyareontheUSSSAapprovedbat
list.NoASAonlybatsareallowedintheplayofFreedomSports.DeMariniAftermath-orANYbatthatdoes
notallowtestingintheFSAmethod.Anybatnotidentifiablebythemarkingsonthebatasanapprovedbat
orwithanyvisiblecracks,shallbeconsideredillegal.Inaddition:
A.KNOBCUFF:Playersarefreetouseknobcuffs.Cuffsarenotrequiredtobetapedover.
B.BARRELL:Anybatwithaforeignsubstancesuchassprayglue,stick’em,pinetaroranyother
substancethatmayhelpthebatgriptheballwillberemovedfromthegameattheumpire’sdiscretionand
maynotbeusedfortheremainderofthetournament.
C.INSPECTION:DuringallFREEDOMplay,anyUmpire,UIC,orDirectorhastherighttorequestthe
inspectionofanybatorballthatisbroughtintothesportscomplex.Ifabatisfoundtobealteredorplayer
isunsureofbat'sstatus,theplayerwillhave(3)twooptions:
1.Admitthatthebathasbeenaltered,givethebatuptobedestroyed,andtakean
immediate1-yearsuspension.Playermustmakethatdecisionbeforeleavingevent.
2.Allowustotestthebat.Ifthebatfailscompressiontesting,thebatwillbesenttothe
manufacturerforaformaldeterminationonwhythebatfailedthecompressiontest.Shouldthebatbe
foundtobealtered,theplayerwillreceiveanimmediate5-yearsuspension.Ifthebatpassescompression
testing,thebatshallbereturnedimmediately.Anyrefusaltoallowustotestabatshallresultinan
immediate5-yearsuspension.Suspensionsshallbebindingonthepersonswingingthebataswellasthe
batowner.
3.Ifplayerchoosesnottoagreetoinspection,theplayerwillreceiveanimmediatefiveyearsuspensionwithnoeligibleappeal.
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D.PUBLICNOTICE:Theuserand/orowner’snameofanybatfoundtobealteredshallbepostedon
theFREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATIONnationalwebsiteforthepublictoview.
E.BATPROTESTFEE:Foraprotestfeeof$50.00,ateammayprotestanopposingteamplayer'sbat
(orball).Ifthebatistestedandfailscompressiontesting,thefeeshallbereturnedtopersonwho
protested.Ifbatorballpassestest,FREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATIONshallretainfee.Theprotestmustbe
madebeforetheumpireleavesthefieldofplayatthecompletionofthegame.Anyteamcaughtwithan
alteredbatshallbeforfeitedfromthetournament,placedlastinthestandings,andshallforfeitallpoints
andprizes.
F.ALTEREDBAT-Abatisconsideredtobealteredwhenthephysicalstructureofalegalbathas
beenchanged,oranon-approvedbathasbeenchangedtoresemblealegalbat.Usinganyprocessthat
exertsmorepressureonabatthanisexperiencedduringnormalplay,suchasrollingorshavingabat,is
consideredalteringabat.Intheeventabatissuspectedofbeingaltered:
1.FreedomSportsAssociationDirectorsmayatanytimeasktoinspectanybatthathas
beenbroughtintothesanctionedFreedomevent.
2.Anyplayercanwithholdthebatfrominspectionandacceptafive-yearsuspensionand
mustleavethesanctionedevent.SecondtimeoffenderswillacceptalifetimesuspensionfromallFreedom
sanctionedevents.
3.Ifafterabathasbeeninspectedbyadirectoranddeemedpotentiallyaltered,the
ownermayallowFreedomtosendthebatforfurthertestingtodeterminewhetherthebathasactually
beenaltered.Whenabatissentforfurthertesting,Freedomwillallowthatsaidplayer/ownertherightto
continuetoparticipateinanyFreedomsanctionedevents.However,ifabatfailsalltestingandis
determinedtobealtered,thatsaidplayer/ownerwillbesubjecttoaminimumofaone(1)yearsuspension
toamaxofafive(5)yearsuspensionforfirsttimeoffenders.Anysecondtimeoffenderswillbesubjecttoa
lifetimesuspensionfromallFreedomSportsAssociationsanctionedevents.Allsuspensionswillbe
determinedbyFreedom’sNationalDirector’s.NOTE:Anybatdeterminedtobealteredwillberetainedby
FreedomSportsanddestroyed.FreedomSportswillnotreplaceanydestroyedalteredbats.
4.Ifanybatisdeterminednottobealtered,thebatwillbereturnedtotheownerwithno
suspensionsgiven.
Sec.2.OFFICIALBALL-TheofficialballofFreedomSportsAssociationwillbesphericalindesign,shall
haveraisedseamsandbesmoothinsurfaceandbe11or12inchesincircumference.Thecenterorcoreof
theballshallbeofmaterialapprovedbyFreedomSportsandcustomarilyusedtomakesoftballs.Thecover
shallbemadeofhorsehide,cowhide,orothermaterialapprovedbyFreedomSportsandshallbecemented
tothecore.Theofficialballshallbestitchedwithcustomarilyusedmaterial(nylon,cotton,linen)ora
materialapprovedbyFreedomSports.Theofficialballcovercolorshallbeopticyellow.Theballmustbe
stampedwiththeFreedomLogoorhave“FreedomSports”clearlymarkedonitandnootherlogoballshall
beusedunlessapprovedbytheNationaloffice.Themaximumcompression/coreforFreedomSportsAdult
SlowPitchballsshallbe44-425.NOTE:Themen’sdivisionwillusethetwelve(12)inchsoftball.The
women’sdivisionwillusetheeleven(11)inchsoftball.
Alteredballs-ifaballisbeenputinacooler,frozenorbeenrestichedorstamped,teamwillbeforfeitedfrom
gameandpossiblesuspensionofFreedomSportsplay.
Sec3.GLOVES/MITTS.Alldefensiveplayersmustwearagloveinthefield.Glovesmustbenomorethan
15inchesinheight,uniformincolor(noopticyellow),bemadeofleatherorotherapprovedmaterialand
containnocirclesorwritingontheoutsidethatwillgivetheappearanceofaball.Anyglovenotmeeting
theserequirementswillbeconsideredillegalandremovedfromthegameofplay.
Sec4.FOOTWEAR.Allindividualsinthefieldofplaymustwearshoes.Nosandalswillbeallowed.Shoes
mustbemadeofleather,canvas,nylon,plasticorothersimilarmaterial.Cleatsmustbemadeofeither
modeledplastic(softorhardcleats)orhaveasmoothsurface.Metalcleatsorspikesareprohibited.NOTE:
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Ifanoffensiveplayerisfoundtobewearingmetalcleatsorspikesduringthegame,anoutwillbedeclaredfor
thatplayer.Andrunnersmustreturntotheirpreviouslyoccupiedbase.Theumpirewillrequesttheplayerto
changeintoproperfootwear.Ifaplayerisunabletoorunwillingtochange,saidplayerwillbeejectedfrom
game.
Sec.5.UNIFORMS.Allplayersonateamshallwearuniformsalikeincolorwithsameteamname/logoat
National/Statetournamentsincludingindividualnumbers.Theteammuststartthegamewiththe
uniformsonandfinishthegamewithuniformson.Effect:Penaltyshallbethattheteamwithmatching
Jerseysshallbeawardedtheoptionofhome/visitor.NOTE:Ifbothteamsareincompliance,orifbothteams
arenotincompliance,thenaflipofacoinwilldeterminethehomeandvisitingteam. Aplayershallnotplay
thegameshirtlessorshoeless.
Sec6.OTHERMATERIALS.ACast(hardorsoft),wornbyanyplayerandjudgeddangerousbythe
umpiremaynotbewornduringthegame,byanycoachcoachingthebasesorbyanyplayer.Anybraces,
splintsorprosthesis(kneebraces,elbowpads,slidingpads)canbewornaslongasallmetalareasarewell
protectedorpaddedsothatnohazardousmaterialisvisibleorcancomeintocontactwithanyother
player.Atanytime,theumpirecandeemanymaterialunsafeorhazardousandmustberemovedfromthe
game.
Sec7.REMOVALOFEQUIPMENT.AllFreedomSportsDirectorsandUmpireshavetherightatanygiven
timetoinspectorremoveequipmentfromasaidgameorcomplex.Anyrefusalsofthiswillresultin
suspensionsforteamsandplayers.NOTE:IfabattedballstrikesaplayerintheInfield(grounder,line-drive,
etc.),theumpirehastherighttoremovethebatandballfromthegameforinspection,thatsaidplayerdoes
notneedtoleavethegameforthisactiontotakeplace.
Sec8.Radios.Radiosareallowedinthedugoutaslongasthe(Umpire,Director,ParkStafforOpposing
Team)doesnotfeelthemusicisoffensiveortoloud.NOTE:IfitisaparkrulethatNORadioscanbe
broughtintheparkthenthatruleoverrulestheFreedomSportsRuleandRadiosmustnotbebroughtinthe
park.
RULE4. THEGAME
Sec1.HOME/AWAY.Thechoiceofthefirstorlastbatintheinningshallbedecidedbythetossofacoin
unlessotherwisestatedintherulesoftheorganizationunderwhichthescheduleofgamesisbeingplayed.
Ifateamisnotincompliancewiththeuniformrule,theopposingteamhasthechoiceofbeingthehomeor
visitingteamiftheyareintotaluniformcompliance.
Sec2.REGULATIONGAME.Aregulationgameshallconsistofseven(7)inningsorwhenthetimelimitis
reached.Aregulationgameofficiallybeginswhenthedefensiveteamhastakenthefieldandtheumpire
indicates(verballyorphysically)to“playball".Anygameplayedfourandahalf(41/2)ormoreinnings
shallbedeemedOFFICIAL.Anewinningstartsifthe3rdoutisrecordedbeforetheaudiblealarmofthe
timer.ATimerwithbothanaudiblealarmandadigitaldisplayarepartoftheFreedomUmpire’sOfficial
Uniform.NOTE:Agamethatistiedaftertheseveninningsorwhentimeexpiresandshallrequire
additionalinningsshallbegovernedaccordingtotherulesof“ExtraInnings”.NOTimelimitsforall
Nationals,NIT’s,States,andWorld.NOTE:UnderCertainCircumstancesTimeLimitswillbeusedforNational
Events.TeamswillbeNotifiedinAdvance.
TimeLimitsPerDivisionForRegularTournaments:
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1HR-Rec-55Minutespergame
2HR-Lower-60Minutespergame
3HR-Comp-65Minutespergame
5HR-UpperComp-70Minutespergame
8HR-Elite-75Minutespergame
12HR-Major-80Minutespergame
Women’sLower–55Minutespergame
Women’sUpper-60Minutespergame
LowerCoed-55Minutespergame
CompCoed-60Minutespergame
UpperCoed-65Minutespergame
Sec.3.RUNRULE.Playshallceaseineachofthefollowingdivisionsifthehometeamiswinningatthe
completionofthefollowinginning;RecDivision(1HR),Competitive(3HR),LowerCompetitiveDivision
(2HR)andAllWomen’s:
15runs-after3rdInning
12runs–after4thInning
10runs–after5thInning
NOTE:AttheStateProgramlevel,apredeterminedrunrulemaybeadopted.
A.PlayshallceaseintheMajorDivision(12HR)EliteDivision(8HR)andUpperCompetitive(5HR)
ifthehometeamiswinningatthecompletionofthefollowinginning:
20runs-after3rdInning
15runs–after4thInning
10runs–after5thInning
*UnlessHomeTeamisleadingbyrunruleduringthebottomoftheaboveinningsofwhichgameshallbe
declaredcompleteuponthefinishofthetophalfoftheinning.
Sec4.EXTRAINNINGS.ExtraInningsshallbedeclareduponthecompletionofthe7th inningORthe
completionofthecurrentinningafterthetimehasexpired,andthescoretied.EFFECT:Startingwiththe
topoftheeighthinning,andeachhalfinningthereafter,theoffensiveteamshallbeginitsturnatbatusingthe
FREEDOMRUNNERORLASTBATTEDOUTbeingplacedonsecondbase.Teammustletofficialknowifthey
areusingtheFreedomrunnerat2ndBasetostarttheirhalfoftheextrainnings.NOTE:AllExtrainning
gameswillbeplayedintheonepitchformatwithNOextrafoul.
Sec5.ENDOFGAME.Theendofgameshallbecalledwhentheteambehindinscore,recordsits3rdoutat
theendoftheseventhinning,whentimehasexpiredorinanyextrainning.Also:
A.Thewinningteamwillbetheteamthatscoresthemostrunswhenthe“endofgame”iscalled.
B.Therecordedscoreattheendofaregulationgameshallbethescoreattheendofthelast
completedinningorincompleteinningifthehometeamscoresmorerunsthantheawayteaminthe
incompleteinning.
C.Theumpireisentitledtocallagameatanytimebecauseofdarkness,weather,oranyother
hazardousevents.
Sec6.InclementWeather.FSAdirectorswilldoeverythingintheirpowertomakesuretheirtournament
canfinishbutIfweatherstartstobeaproblemtheprocedurewillbeasfollowed:
A. Directorwilltryandfinishwithaonepitchformat
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B. Ifweathercontinuestobeaproblemandtheeventcannotcontinuewewillgotoacoinflip.If
thewinnerbracketgamehasbeenplayedandthereisoneteamsittingundefeatedwaitingfor
thechampionshipthatteamwillbedeclaredthewinneroftheeventallotherteamwillflipuntil
allspotsonthebrackethavebeendecided.NOTE:Thereisnosetwayfordirectorstodoacoin
flip
C. Eachdirectorwillexercisetheirbesteffortstodowhatsbestforeveryoneattheevent,most
eventsarefundisn’tanoptionasfieldsareprepaidandumpiresarepaidforwhattheyhave
donealso.
Sec7.FORFIETGAME.Scoreofaforfeitgameshallbedeemeda7-0winforthenon-forfeitingteamin
suchcaseasthetournamentdirectorisunabletoobtainanalternateteamtoplayintheforfeitingteams
place.Aforfeitshallbecalledbyanumpireforoneofthefollowingreasons:
A.Ateamislateinappearingforascheduledgame.
B.Ifateamrefusestoplayorcontinueplayafter2minutesonce“playball”hasbeenannounced.
C.Ifateamusestacticstodelayorshortenagame.
D.Ifateamwillfullyviolatesanyoftherulesafterbeingwarnedbytheumpire.
F.Ifateamcannolongerfieldeightdefensiveplayers.
G.Ifateamorcoachofateamthreatensorattacksanumpire,anyFreedomSportsAssociation
personnel,oranyotherplayer/team.
H.Ifaplayerorcoachrefusestoleaveagameafterbeingejectedorremainsinthefieldofplay
longerthan2minutes.
Sec8.ACALLEDSTRIKE.Abattershallbechargedastrikewhen:
A.Alegallypitchedballentersthestrikezoneintheairandisnotswungat.
B.Abatterswingsatapitchedballandmisses.
C.Aballisfouledoffandnotcaught.
D.Abattertakesgreaterthanfifteen(20)secondstoobtainproperpositioninthebatter’sbox.
Sec8.ACALLEDBALL.Abattershallbechargedaballwhen:
A.Apitchedballdoesnotenterthestrikezoneandthebatterdoesnotswing.
B.Apitcherpitchesanillegalpitchnotswungatorhit.
RULE5. THEPLAYERSANDSUBSTITUTIONS
Sec1.Ateamshallconsistofaminimumofeight(8)playersandamaximumoftwelve(12)players.A
minimumofeight(8)playersandamaximumoften(10)playersshallplaydefense.Aplayercanplay
anywhereinthefieldaslongasit’sinfairterritoryatthestartofeverypitchexceptthepitcherandthe
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catcherwhoshallplayinlegalpositions.NOTE:Thedesignatedpositionsare:Pitcher,Catcher,First
Baseman,SecondBaseman,ThirdBaseman,ShortStop,LeftFielder,CenterFielder,RightFielder,Designated
Hitter,andAdditionalHittersorExtraPlayers.
Sec2.LINEUPANDSUBSTITUTIONS.Lineupcardsmustbefilledoutandhandedovertohehomeplate
umpirepriortothestartofthegame.Thelineupcardshallcontainfirstinitial,lastnameandjersey
number.Thefollowinggovernsthesubstitutionofplayers:
A.Asubstitutemaytaketheplaceofaplayerwhosenameisintheteam’sbattingorder.
B.Thecoachorteamrepresentativeoftheteammakingthesubstitutionshallimmediatelynotifythe
plateumpireatthetimewhenthesubstituteenters.Theumpireshallthenreportthechangetothescorer
andtheotherteam.Asubstituteisnotofficiallyinthegameuntilapitchhasbeenthrownoraplayhas
beenmade.
C.Ifasubstituteplayerentersthegamewithoutreporting,andafteronelegalorillegalpitchhasbeen
thrown,orafteraplayhasbeenmade,theuseofanunreportedsubstitutemustbebroughttotheattention
oftheumpirebytheoffendedteam.Anoutwillbedeclaredandopposingteamshalllosesaidplayeras
substituteforremainderofthegame.Andoutwillbegiventohis/herspotinthelineupforrestofgame.
D.Ifthecoachorplayerinviolationinformstheumpirepriortotheteambringingthisviolationto
theattentionoftheumpire,thereisnoviolation.Allactionpriortothediscoveryislegal.
E.Ifateamisleftwithavacantspotintheirlineupduetoaplayerbeingejected,thenanoutwillbe
declaredwhenthatvacantspotoccursinthebattingorder.Ateammaywalkabatterinorderforthe
vacantspottooccurandreceiveanautomaticout.
F.Asubstituteshallbereportedtotheofficialandwillbeofficiallydeclaredinthegamewhen:
1.Thesubstitutestepsintothebatter’sboxandapitchismade.
2.Thesubstitutesstepsontothefieldintoafielding/defensivepositionandapitchismade.
3.Thesubstitutereplacesarunneronabaseandapitchismade.
Sec3.RE-ENTRYAnyofthestartingplayers,maybesubstitutedandre-enteredonce,providedplayers
occupythesamebattingpositionswheneverintheline-up.Theplayerandthesubstitutesmaynotbein
theline-upatthesametime.Onceasubstituteleavesthegameandthestarterre-entersthesubstituteisno
longerallowedtore-enterthegame.Violationofthere-entryruleishandledasaprotestwhenbroughtto
theattentionoftheumpirebytheopposingteam,andmaybemadeanytimeduringthegame.Theprotest
neednotbemadepriortothenextpitch.EFFECT:Boththemanagerandillegalplayerareejected.Allplay
thatoccurredwhiletheillegalre-entrywasinthegamewillstand.NOTE:Ifthere-entryviolationalso
violatestheunreportedsubstituteruling,thosepenaltieswouldalsobeineffect.
NOTE:Astartingplayerremovedfromthepitchingpositionbytheumpireandsubstitutedfor,canre-enter
thegameatanotherposition,butcannotreturntothepitchingposition.EFFECT:Ifanillegalpitcherreturns
tothepitchingpositionandhasthrownonepitch,heisejectedfromthegame.NOTE:Thisisnotconsidereda
re-entryviolation,sothemanagerisnotejected.
Sec4.ILLEGALSUBSTITUTION.Anappealtotheumpiremustbemadebytheopposingteamatanytime
duringthegame.Anumpirecannotdeclareanillegalsubstitutionviolationuntilaplayerisofficiallyinthe
game.Asaresult,anychangecanbecorrected.Anillegalsubstitutionmustbedeclaredpriorto:
A.Thenextpitchedballforanoffensiveillegalsubstitution.
B.Thenextpitchedballorbeforethedefensiveteamandumpirehaveleftthefieldforanillegal
defensivesubstitution.NOTE:Ifanumpiredeclaresanoffensiveillegalsubstitutionviolation,theplayershall
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bedeclaredout,ejectedfromthegameandallotherrunnersmustreturntopreviousoccupiedbase.Anyouts
madeduringtheplayshallstand.Ifanumpiredeclaresadefensiveillegalsubstitutionviolation,theoffensive
teamshallhavetheoptiontoreplaythepitchorlettheplaystandandtheillegalplayershallbeejectedfrom
thegame.
Sec5.REMOVALOFPLAYER.Whenateamisleftwithavacantspotinthelineup,regardlessofcause,and
thereisnosubstituteavailable,anoutshallbedeclaredeachtimethevacantspotisduetobat.Ifthevacant
spotisduetoinjuryandthereisnosubstituteavailable,theopposingcoachshallhaveattheirsolechoice,
theoptiontorequestthatanoutbedeclaredeachtimethevacantspotisduetobatORtoallowthelineup
tobecompressed,thusremovingtheinjuredplayerpermanentlyfromthegameandlineupandwithnoout
beingdeclared.NOTE:Ifaplayerisejectedhis/herspotinthelineupcannotbereplacedandanoutwillbein
placeoftheirpositioninthebattingorder.Ifateamisbattingmorethan10battersanextrahittermaytakea
positioninthefieldsotheteamwiththeejectedplayerwillstillhave10playersondefense.Ateamcannot
finishagamewithlessthan8playerssothecoachshallhavenodecisionshouldtheopposingteamonlyhave
7playersremaining.
RULE6.BASERUNNING
Sec1.Abaserunnershalltouchthebasesintheorderoffirst(1st)base,second(2nd)base,third(3rd)
baseandthenhomeplate.EXCEPTION:Thebatter-runnerandallbaserunnersdonothavetorunthebases
onahomerunin“HitandSit”play.
Sec2.Basestealingispermitted.Arunnershallstealabase:
A.Afterapitchedballleavesthepitchershandandhitstheground.
B.Afterapitchedballleavesthepitchershandand crosses the plate
C. After a Batter is awarded a base on balls since ball is live until the batter touches 1st base or Stops
st
Walking to 1 Base.
NOTE:ItisaDeadball,ifbatterswingsandmisses,makesafalseswingattemptorfoulsofftheball.
NOTE:Theballisliveandstealingcanoccurifithitshomeplate.
Sec3.Twobaserunnersshallneveroccupythesamebase.EFFECT:Thefirstlegalbaserunnertooccupy
thebaseshallbecalledsafeandtheotherbaserunnershallbecalledout.
Sec4.Allawardedbasesmustbetouchedbyarunner.
Sec5.Adeadballshallbedeclaredandeachrunnerincludingthebatter-runnershallbeawarded:
A.Onebasewhen:
1.Iflessthantwo(2)outs,adefensiveplayercatchesaballandthencomesintocontact
withdeadballterritorywithbothfeet.
2.Whenanydefensiveplayerobstructsabatterortouchesthebatinordertoreacha
pitchedball.
3.Ifadefensiveplayeronatagcausesaballtogointodeadballterritory.
B.Twobaseswhen:
1.Afair-battedballbouncesorgoesunderneathfenceoroverfenceandbecomesdead.
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2.Adefensiveplayerthrows,holdsorkicksanillegalmitt/gloveordetachedplayer’s
equipmentatalivepitchedorthrownball.
3.Adefensiveplayerintentionallythrowsaliveballintodeadballterritory.Note:Iftwo
runnersarebetweenthesamebases,theleadrunnershallbeawardedthetwo(2)basesandthesecond
runnershallbeawardedone(1)base.
C.Threebaseswhen:
1.Adefensiveplayerthrows,holdsorkicksanillegalmitt/gloveordetachedplayer’s
equipmentatafair-battedball.
D.Fourbaseswhen:
1.Afair-battedballgoesoverandabovethefencelineintheairbetweenthetwo(2)foul
poles.
2.Afair-battedballcomesintocontactintheairwithafoulpole.
3.Adefensiveplayerthrows,holdsorkicksanillegalmitt/gloveordetachedplayer’s
equipmentatafair-battedballandpreventstheballfromgoingoverthefenceintheairbetweenthetwo
(2)foulpoles.
4.Aspectatorpreventsafair-battedballfromgoingoverthefenceintheairbetweenthe
two(2)foulpoles.
Sec6.Whenathrownorbattedballcomesintocontactwithanyplayernotondeckorcoachingthebase,
theballshallbedeclareddeadandinterferenceshallbecalled.Theumpireshallbaseonhis/herjudgment
awardorpenalizeteamsinordertocorrecttheinterference.
Sec7.ARUNNERISCALLEDOUTWHEN:
A.Whenrunningtoanybaseinregularorreverseorderandtherunnerrunsoutofthebasepathto
avoidbeingtouchedbytheballinthehand(s)ofthefielder.
B.Whentheballisinplayandtherunnerisnotincontactwithabase,andislegallytouchedwith
theballinthehand(s)ofafielder
C.When,onaforceplay,afieldercontactsthebasewhileholdingtheball,touchestheballtothe
baseortagstherunnerbeforetherunnerreachesthebase
D.Whentherunnerfailstoreturntotouchthebasepreviouslyoccupiedormissedandisproperly
appealed.
E.Whentherunnerphysicallypassestheleadrunnerbeforethatrunnerhasbeenputout.EFFECT:
Theballisinplayandtherunnerisout.
F.Whenabaserunnerleavesthebasetoadvancetothenextbasebeforeaflyballhasbeentouched
ortouchessomeobject,providedthatiftheballiscaughtandlegallyheldonthebaseleft,orafielder
touchestherunnerwiththeballbeforetherunnerreturnstotouchtheoriginalbase.
G.Whentherunnerfailstotouchtheinterveningbaseorbasesinregularorreverseorderandthe
ballisreturnedtothatbaseandisproperlyappealed.
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H.Whenthebatter-runnerlegallyoverrunsfirstbase,attemptstoruntosecondandislegally
touchedwhileoffthebase.
I.Whenrunningorslidingforhomeplate,andtherunnerfailstotouchit,makesnoattemptto
returntoit,andrunnerleavesthefieldofplay,iffielderproperlyappealstotheofficialforathedeclared
outbeforethenextpitch.
J.Whentherunnerinterfereswithafielderattemptingtofieldabattledball,interfereswitha
fielderattemptingtothrowaball,orintentionallyinterfereswithathrownball.Ifthisinterference,inthe
judgmentoftheofficial,isanobviousattempttopreventadoubleplay,theimmediatesucceedingrunner
willalsobecalledout.NOTE:UmpiresmayalsocallaRunneroutforVerbalInferenceifintheirjudgmenta
runnerinterfereswillwithadefensiveplayertryingtomakeaplaybyyellingastheyapproachthedefensive
player.
K.Whentherunnerisstruckwithafairuntouchedbattedballwhilenotincontactwiththebasein
fairterritory,andtherunnerisstruckpriortotheballpassinganinfielder,excludingthepitcher:EFFECT:
Theballisdead,runnerisoutforinterferenceandthebatterisawarded1stbase.Allotherrunnersmay
advanceonebaseiftheyarepushed.ForExample:Runnerson1stand3rd,abattedballstrikestherunneron
3rdbasewhilenotincontactwiththebase.Batterwillgetfirstbaseawardedandpushtherunnerfromfirst
tosecond.Therunneron3rd baseisout.
L.Whenabatter-runnerfailstotouchaninterveningbaseorbasesinregularorreverseorder
whiletheballisinplay,andtheballislegallyheldonthemissedbase,ortherunneristouchedwiththe
ballwhileoffthebase.
M.Whenthebase-runnerjumpsoveradefensiveplayertoavoidatagNOTE:IFthebaserunner’s
feetgooverkneehigh,orifthedefensiveplayeriskneeling,andthebaserunner’sfeetgoabovethewaist.The
base-runnerisout,andmaybeejectedfromthegame.
N.Whentherunnerintentionallykicksaballwhichaninfielderhasmissed.
O.Whenanyone,physicallyassiststherunnerwhiletheballisinplay.Iftheassistanceoccursprior
toacaught,battedflyball,regardlessofwhethertheballisfairorfoul,adelayeddeadballcallwillbe
made,afterwhichtherunnerwillbedeclaredout.EFFECT:Theballisdeadifnotcaught.Ifafairball,
awardthebatter-runnerone(1)base,andifafoulballthebatterwillbatagain.Thisincludesahomerun.
P.Whenthecoachnearthirdbaserunsinthedirectionofhomeplateonornearthethirdbaseline
whileafielderisattemptingtomakeaplayonabattedorthrownball,andtherebydrawsathrowtohome
plate.Therunnerclosesttohomewillbedeclaredout.
Q.Whenoneormoremembersoftheoffensiveteamstandorcollectaroundabasetowhicha
runnerisadvancingtherebyconfusingthefielderandaddingtothedifficultofmakingtheplay.NOTE:
Membersoftheteamincludeabatboyoranyotherpeopleauthorizedtositontheteam’sbench.
R.Whenacoachintentionallyinterfereswiththedefensiveteam’sopportunitytomakeaplayona
runner.Therunnerclosesttohomeplateatthetimeoftheinterferenceshallbedeclaredout.EFFECT:The
ballisdeadandtherunnerisout.Eachotherrunnermustreturntothelastbaselegallytouchedatthetimeof
theinterference.
S.When,afterbeingdeclaredoutorafterscoring,arunnerinterfereswithadefensiveplayer’s
opportunitytomakeplayonanotherrunner.EFFECT:Therunnerclosesttohomeplateatthetimeofthe
interferenceshallbedeclaredout.
T.Whenadefensiveplayerhastheball,andtherunnerremainsontheirfeetanddeliberately,with
greatforce,crashesintothedefensiveplayerwithintenttocauseharm.EFFECT:Therunnerisoutand
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ejectedfromthegame,theballisdeadandeachrunnermustreturntothelastbasetouchedatthetimeofthe
interference.
U.Whentherunnerfailstokeepcontactwiththebasetowhichtherunnerisentitleduntila
pitchedballtouchestheground,passeshomeplateorisbatted.NOTE:Standingonthesafetyordoublebag
atfirstisdefinedasstandingoffthebag.EFFECT:Theballisdead;therunnerisout.
V.Whentherunnerabandonsabaseandenterstheteams’dugoutareaorleavesthefieldofplay.
W.Ifabaserunnerdoesnotreturntothebaseandbeincontactwiththebaseatthetimethe
pitcherreleasesalegallypitchedballtothebatter. X.Ifaplayertouches1stbasewiththebatintheirhandwhentheballisinplay.NOTE:ifthey
touch1stbasewithabatintheirhandswhenanoverthefencehomerunhasbeenhit,itwillnotbedeemedan
outsincehomerunsare"hitandsit".
Y.Ifabatterswingsandhitsapitchedballthatbouncesbeforetheplate,theballwillbeadeadball
andthebatterwillbedeclaredout.
Sec8.THERUNNERISSAFEWHEN:
A.Whentherunnerisstruckwithafairuntouchedbattedballwhileincontactwiththebase.
EFFECT:Theballisdeadandthebatterisawarded1stbase.
B.Ifrunnerisstillincontactwithbagwhenstrucktherunnerwillbedeemedsafeandthebatteris
awardedasingle,allotherrunnersmayadvanceonebaseiftheyarepushed.i.e.Runnerson1stand3rd,a
battedballstrikestherunneronfirstbasewhileincontactwiththebase.Batterwillgetfirstbaseawarded
andpushtherunnerfromfirsttosecond.Therunneronthirdwillremainat3rd base.
C.Whenafielderwithouttheballobstructsarunnerbyfakingatag.Eachrunneraffectedbythe
obstructionshallbeawardedthebasetheywouldhavereachedperumpire’sjudgment.
Sec9.FREEDOMRUNNER/PINCHRUNNER.One“FREEDOM”Runnerperteamshallbedesignatedbefore
thegameontheofficiallineupcard.AFREEDOMRunnercanbeanyplayerontheroster,regardlessifthey
areinthelineupornot.TheyareFREEtorunanunlimitednumberoftimesperinning/game.Note:Ifa
teamoptstodesignateaFreedomRunnerthatisintheofficiallineup,andtheFreedomRunnerisonbase
duringtheirturntobat,anoutshallbedeclaredandtheFreedomRunnershallberemovedfromthebaseto
taketheirturnatbat.AteamdoesnothavetheoptionofsubstitutingtheFreedomRunnerifheisinthelineup
oncehehasoccupiedabaseforaplayerorreachedonhitofhis/herown.Ifateamdoesnotdeclarea
FreedomRunnerontheofficiallineupcard,thentheywillforfeittheirrighttoanycourtesyrunnersunlessan
actualsubstitutionhasbeenmade.
Sec10.OVERTHROWS-Whentheballisinplayandisoverthrown(beyondtheboundarylines)oris
blocked.Awardedbasesshallbedeterminedbythepositionofthebaserunnersatthetimeofthe
infraction.
EFFECT:Foroffensiveequipmentoranoffensiveplayercausingablockedball,theplayerclosesttohome
plateisdeclaredout,andallotherrunnersmustreturntothelastbasetouchedwhentheballbecomes
blocked.
A.Theballisdead.Inallcaseswhereathrownballgoesintothespectators’seats,goesover,
through,orunderanyfencesurroundingtheplayingfieldhitsanypersonorobjectnotengagedinthe
game,includingbatslyingnearbenches,goesintotheplayer’sbenches,whethertheballreboundsontothe
playingfieldornot,orremainsinthemeshesofanywirescreen,eachandeverybaserunnershallbe
awardedone(1)base.
B.Whenthefirstthrowismadebyaninfielder,one(1)basesshallbeawarded.Theawardshallbe
governedbythepositionofeachrunneratthetimethepitchwasmade;however,ifallrunners,including
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thebatter-runner,haveadvancedatleastone(1)basewhentheinfieldermakesthewildthrowonthefirst
playafterapitch,theawardshallbegovernedbythepositionoftherunnerswhenthewildthrowwas
made.
C.Whenathrowismadebyanoutfielderoristheresultofanysucceedingplayorattemptedplay,
thetwo(2)baseawardshallbegovernedbythepositionofeachrunnerandthelastbasehe/shehas
touchedatthetimethethrowwasmade.Iftworunnersarebetweenthesamebase,theawardisbasedon
thepositionoftheleadrunner.
D.Whenafielderlosespossessionoftheballsuchasonanattemptedtagandtheballentersadead
ballareaorbecomesblocked,allrunnersareawardedone(1)basefromthelastbasetouchedatthetime
theballenteredthedeadballareaorbecameblocked.Ifarunnertouchesthenextbaseandreturnsto
his/heroriginalbase,theoriginalbasehe/sheleftisconsideredthe“lastbasetouched”forthepurposesof
anoverthrowaward.
E.Whenaballboundsorrollsintoastand,over,under,orthroughafence;boundsoutofplay
unintentionallyoffadefensiveplayerorotherobstructionmarkingtheboundariesoftheplayingfield.
EFFECT:Theballisdeadandallbaserunnersareawardedtwo(2)basesfromthetimeofthepitch.
Exception:Ifballboundsoverthefencebetweenthefoulpolesunintentionallyoffadefenderoradefender’s
glove,afourbaseerrorisrecordedandbatterandallrunnersareawardedfourbases.Thiswillnotcount
againstateamshomerunlimit.
F.Whenaliveballisunintentionallycarriedbyafielderfromplayableterritoryintoadeadballarea,
theballbecomesdeadimmediately.Allbaserunnersareawardedonebasefromthelastbasetouchedat
thetimethefielderentersdeadballterritory.If,inthejudgmentoftheumpire,afielderintentionally
carriesaliveballintodeadballterritory,theballbecomesdeadandallbaserunnersareawardedtwo(2)
basesfromthelastbasetouchedatthetimehe/sheenteredthedeadballarea.NOTE:Afieldercarryinga
liveballintothedugoutorteamareatotagaplayerisconsideredtohaveintentionallycarrieditthere.A
deadballlineisconsideredinplay.
Sec11.Ifarunnercomingfrom3rdbasetohomegrabsorishandedabatthatmaybelayinginthebaseline
andcouldcauseharmtoarunnerNopenaltywillbeissuediftheytouchhomeplatewithitintheirhadas
longasthereisNOplayattheplate.NOTE:Ifthereisaplayattheplateandtherunnertouchedtheplate
withthebatintheirhandtherunnerwillautomaticallybedeclaredout.
RULE7.PITCHING
Sec1.–Pitchershallbegiventhree(3)warmuppitchesuponbeginningofgameandwhenanewpitcher
comesintothegame.One(1)shallbeallowedatthebeginningofeachinningpitchedafterthefirstinning
pitched.
Sec2.Thepitchershalltakeapositionwithoneorbothfeetincontactwiththepitcher’splateandtheball
inviewoftheumpirebeforedeliveringthepitch.His/herfootdoesnothavetobeincontactwiththe
pitchingplateuponrelease.Theballmaybereleaseduptosix(6)feetbehindthepitchingplate.
Exception:Whenreleasingtheballinfrontofthepitchingrubber,thepitcherMusthavepivotfootincontact
withpitchingrubber.
Sec3.Pumpfakes/jukingwillbepermittedforamaximumtimeof(3)seconds.Thetimecountstartswhen
thepitchermakeshis/herfirstmotion.Anypumplastinglongerthan(3)secondswillbedeemedadead
ballandaballwillbeawardedtothebatter.
Sec4Thepitchermaynotusetheglovetopitchtheball,theballmustbepitchedfromabarehand.
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Sec5.Theballmustbepitchedunderhandataslowrateofspeed,andmustarcatleastfour(4)feetfrom
thegroundandmaynotrisehigherthanten(10)feet.Thespeedofthepitchandheightofthepitchedball
areleftentirelytothejudgmentoftheumpire
Sec6.Thepitchercandeliberatelydrop,roll,orbouncetheballtothebattereitheronoroffthepitching
rubberNOTE:BallisliveandallrunnershavetheFreedomtostealoncetheballhitstheground.
Sec7.Thereshallbeonlyonechargedconferencebetweenthemanagerorotherteamrepresentativefrom
thedugoutwitheachandeverypitcherinaninning.Thesecondchargedconferenceshallresultinthe
removalofthepitcherfromthepitchingpositionfortheremainderofthegame.NOTE:Itisnotacharged
conferencewhenthecoachorteamrepresentativeentersthefieldofplayandremovesthepitcherfromthe
pitchingposition.Theplayermayreturntothepitchingposition.
RULE8.BATTING
Sec1.Eachbattershallbatintheorderinwhicheachplayer'snameappearsonthelineupcard.NOTE:The
ordershallbefollowedfortheentiregameexceptwhensubstitutionshavebeenmadeandhavefollowedthe
substitutionrules.
Sec2.Ifbatterimproperlybatsoutoforderandisdiscoveredpriortothatbattercompletingaturnatbat,
timemaybecalledandtheproperbatterplaceduptobatandassumestheimproperbatterspitchcount.
Sec3.Whenaplayerbatsoutoforderandcompletesaturnatbat,anoutshallbedeclaredonappealofthe
opposingteam.
A.Ifadefensiveteamappealstotheumpirepriortothenextpitchorbeforethedefensiveteam
leavingthefieldofplayanimproperbatterwhohasbecomearunnerorhasbeenputout,theumpireshall
declaretheproperbatteroutandallrunnersmustreturntopreviousoccupiedbasepriortothepitch.Any
outsmadeontheplaystand.
B.Ifnoappealismadepriortothenextpitchorifthedefensiveteamhasleftthefieldattheendof
thehalfinning,thentheimproperbatterbecomestheproperbatterandthatturnatbatbecomeslegal.The
battingordershallthancontinuewiththenameoftheplayerthatfollowsthatofthenowlegalimproper
batter.
Sec4.Abattershallhavetwenty(20)secondstostepintoproperpositioninthebatter’sboxoncethe
umpirestates"playball"orrequestsforabatter.EFFECT:Astrikeshallbecalled.
Sec5.Abattershallhaveatleastoneportionofhis/herfootmakingcontactwiththebatter'sboxandthe
otherfootisnottouchingthegroundcompletelyoutsideofthebatter'sboxorismakinganycontactwith
homeplateEFFECT:Ifonefootismakingcontactwiththegroundoutsidethebatter’sboxormakingcontact
withhomeadeadballshallbecalledandthebattershallbecalledout.
Sec6.Abattershallnotinterferewithacatcherwhoisattemptingtomakeaplayorthrow.Ifan
interferenceoccursduetothebatterimproperlynotmakinganattempttomoveoutofthewayofthe
catcherwhoisattemptingtomakeaplayorthrow,andanyrunnerisunsuccessfullyputoutthenthebatter
isdeclaredoutandallrunnersshallreturntothepreviouslyoccupiedbaseandbatterwillbeout.Ifthere
aretwooutsintheinning,thenthebattershallbedeclaredoutandsideswillchange.
Sec7.Theon-deckbatteristheoffensiveplayerwhosenamefollowsthenameofthebatterinthebatting
order.Theon-deckbattermayloosenupwithtwoofficialsoftballbats,anofficialwarmupbat,orany
otherproductthathasbeenapprovedbyFreedomSportsNationalHeadquarters.NOTE:Attachmentsare
prohibited,suchasadonut,fanetc.whenlooseningup.
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Sec8.ABATTERISCALLEDOUTWHEN:
A.Athirdstrikeiscalled.
1.Abatterswingsatathirdstrikeandtheballhitsthebatter.
B.Abatterintentionallyhitsabattedballforasecondtimeandnorunnersshalladvance.
C.AbatterattemptstoChoptheballwithtwostrikesandtheballlandsinfoulterritory.
D.Abattedballiscaughtintheaireitherinfairorfoulterritorybyadefensiveplayer.
E.Ifabattedballishitintheairinfairterritoryintheinfieldandtheinfieldflyruleisineffect.
F.Ifabatterstepsintothebatter’sboxwithanillegalbat.
G.Adefensiveplayerintentionallydropsaflyballorlinedrivewithrunnersoccupyingbases.A
deadballshallbedeclaredandthebattershallbeoutandthebaserunnersshallreturntoprevious
occupiedbase.
H.Abatterstepsoutofthebatter’sboxandhitsapitchedball.
Sec9.ABatterhastheFreedomtoswingthebatwithonehandwithNOPenalty
Sec10.HOMERUNSThefollowingoverthefencehomerunsareallowed:
CO-ED
LOWERCOMPETITIVE–2Hrs.,ExtraHr.penalty–InningEnding
COMPETITIVE–4&1Up,ExtraHr.penalty–InningEnding.
OpenCO-ED–8&1Up,ExtraHr.penalty–OnlyanOut.
WOMEN
LOWERWOMENS–2Hrs.,ExtraHr.penalty–InningEnding.
UPPERWOMENS–UnlimitedHomeruns.
MEN
RECREATION.DIVISION-1Hr.,ExtraHr.penalty-InningEnding
LOWERCOMPETITIVE.DIVISION–2Hrs.,ExtraHr.penalty–InningEnding
COMPETITIVE.DIVISION-3And1Up,ExtraHr.penalty–InningEnding
UPPERCOMPETITIVEDIVISION-5And1Up,ExtraHr.penalty–OnlyanOut
ELITEDIVISION–8And1Up,ExtraHit-OnlyanOut
MAJORDIVISION–12And1Up,ExtraHit-OnlyanOut
NOTE:HomerunlimitsonlyapplytothemeninCo-Ed(EitherDiv.).Womencanhitunlimited.
RULE9.DEADBALL-BALLINPLAY
Sec.1.Theballisdeadandnotinplay:
a.Whentheballisbattedillegally.
b.Whenabatterstepsfromoneboxtoanotherwhenthepitcherisreadytopitch.Note:Ifthe
batterswingsatanillegalpitch,theplaystands.
c.Whenaballispitchedillegally.
d.Whentheumpiredeclares“NoPitch”.
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e.Whenapitchedballtouchesanypartofthebatter’spersonorclothing,whetherornottheballis
struckat.
f.Whenafoulballisnotcaught.
g.Whenabaserunneriscalledoutforleavingabasetoosoononapitchedball.
h.Whentheoffensiveteamcausesinterference.
i.Whentheballisoutsidetheplayinglimitsoftheplayingfield.Aballisconsidered“outofplay”
whenittouchestheground,persononthegroundorobjectoutsidetheplayingarea.
j.Incaseofinterferencewiththebatterorfielder.
k.Whenthebatterbuntsapitchedball.
l.Whentheumpirecallstime.
m.Whentheumpirecallstimeandanappealplayfollows,theballremainsdeadthroughoutthe
appeal.
n.Whenanypartofthebatter’spersonishitbyhisownbattedballwhileheisinthebatter’sbox.
o.Whenarunnerrunsthebasesinreverseorder.
p.Whenacoachnearthirdbaserunsinthedirectionofhomeplateonornearthebaselinewhile
thefielderisattemptingtomakeaplay,andtherebydrawsathrowtohomeplate.
q.Whenabaserunnerfailstokeepcontactwithhis/herbaseuntilthepitchedballhasreached
homeplate.
r.Whenaplayisbeingmadeonanobstructedrunner,orifthebatter-runnerisobstructedbefore
he/shereachesfirstbase.
s.Whenablockedballisdeclared.
t.Whenthebatterentersthebattersboxwith,oruses,anillegalbatoralteredbat.
u.Whenacaughtfairball,includingalinedrive,whichcanbehandledbyanyinfielderwith
ordinaryeffort,isintentionallydropped,withlessthantwoouts,andwitharunneron1st,1stand2nd,1st
and3rdor1st,2ndor3rdbases.
v.Whenafieldercarriesaliveballintodeadballterritory.
w.Whenabatterishitwithhis/herown-battedballinfairterritoryoutsidethebatter’sbox.
x.Whenafairballstrikesanumpireorbaserunneronfairgroundbeforepassingortouchingan
infielder.
Sec.2.Theballisinplay:
a.Atthestartofeachhalfinning,whenthepitcherhastheballinthepitchingpositionandthe
umpirehascalled“PlayBall”.
b.Whentheinfieldflyruleisenforced.
c.Whenathrownballgoespastafielderandremainsinplayableterritory.
d.Whenafairballstrikesanumpireorbaserunneronfairgroundafterpassingortouchingan
infielder.
e.Whenafairballstrikesanumpireonfoulground.
f.Whenthebaserunnershavereachedthebaseswhichtheyareentitled,whenthefielderillegally
fieldsabattedorthrownball.
g.Whenabaserunneriscalledoutforpassingaprecedingrunner.
h.Whennoplayisbeingmadeonanobstructedrunner,theballshallremainaliveuntiltheplayis
over.
i.Whenthebatterlegallyhitsafairball.
j.Whenabaserunnermustreturn,inreverseorder,whiletheballisalreadyinplay.
k.Whenabaserunneracquirestherighttoabasebytouchingitbeforebeingputout.
l.Whenabaseisdislodgedwhilerunnersarerunningthebases.
m.Whenarunnerrunsoutofthebaselineinregularorreverseordertoavoidatagbyafielder.
n.Whenarunnerisforcedortaggedout.
o.Whentheumpirecallsthebaserunneroutforfailuretoreturnandtouchthebasewhenplayis
resumed,afterasuspensionofplay.
p.Whenaliveballstrikesagroundskeeper,photographer,policemanetc.assignedtothegame.
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q.Whenathrownballstrikesanoffensiveplayer.
r.Ifthebatterdropsthebatandtheballrollsagainstthebatinfairterritory,andinthejudgmentof
theumpire,therewasnointentiontointerferewiththecourseoftheball.Thebatterisnotoutandtheball
isaliveandinplay.
s.Whenathrownballstrikesanumpire.
t.Whenathrownballstrikesacoach.
u.Aslongasthereisaplayasaresultofthehitbythebatter.Thiswouldincludeanimmediatelive
ballappealbeforetheumpirehascalled“time”.Oncetheumpirehascalled“time”however,theball
remainsdeadduringasubsequentappealplay.
v.WhenafoulballiscaughtNOTE:Allrunnercanadvanceaslongastheyreturntothebagthey
occupiedwhentheballwashit.(SeeRule6Sec7-F)
w.When,inthejudgmentoftheumpire,acoachtouchesorphysicallyhelpsarunner.Note:A
delayeddeadballsignalwillbegivenandplayshallcontinue.Thetouchedorassistedrunnershallberuled
outandallothersubsequentplaywillberuleduponaccordingly.
Sec.3.Theballremainsaliveuntiltheumpirecalls“time”,whichshouldbedonewhentheballisheldby
aplayerintheinfieldarea,andinthejudgmentoftheumpire,allplayhasceased.
RULE10.APPEALS
Sec1.Duringadeadballappeal,thepitchershallannouncewhichrunnerandwhichbasethatisbeing
appealed.NOTE:Adefensiveteamisonlyallowedone(1)appealperrunner.
RULE11.PROTEST
Sec1.TYPESOFPROTEST.
A.Misinterpretationofaplayingrule–mustbemadebeforethenextpitchorifonthelastplayof
thegame,beforetheOfficial(s)leavetheplayingfield.
B.IllegalSubstituteorre-entry–mustbemadewhiletheyareinthegame,beforethelastplayof
thegameandbeforetheOfficial(s)leavetheplayingfield.
C.IneligiblePlayer–ProtestedplayersmustproduceaFreedomIDCardifapplicablealongwitha
LegalID.ShouldtheprotestedplayernotbeabletoproducebothID’swithin5minutes,theprotestshallbe
upheld.
D.Protestofnonapprovedoralteredequipment.NOTE:Teammustpayprotestfeetothe
umpireandtheshowtheumpiretheequipmentinquestionforhimtotaketothedirectorwith
theprotestfee.Thismustbedoneduringgameplay,notafterthegamehasfinishedorwhentheOfficial(s)
leavetheplayingfield.
NOTE:Protestswillnotbeconsideredoracceptediftheyarebasedsolelyonadecisionontheaccuracyofa
judgmentcallbyanOfficial.
Sec2.PROTESTPROCEDURE.
A.ThecoachormanageroftheprotestingteamshallimmediatelynotifytheplateOfficialthatthe
gameisbeingplayedunderprotest.TheOfficialshallthennotifytheopposingmanagerandTournament
Director.
B.BothteammanagersandtheOfficialshallrecordtheinformation(inofficialscorebook),details,
andconditionssurroundingtheprotest.
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C.A$50.00Cashprotestfeemustbepaidbytheprotestingteam.Saidfeewillbeimmediately
returnedifprotestisupheld.Failuretosubmit$50.00fee,willresultinprotestbeingnullandvoid.
Sec3.PROTESTDECISION.Shallresultinoneofthefollowing:
A.Theprotestisdeterminedtobeinvalid.Thegamestandsasplayed.
B.Whenaprotestisfoundtobevalidduetoamisinterpretationofaplayingrule,thedecisionwill
becorrected,andthegameshallbereplayedfromthepointatwhichtheincorrectdecisionwasmade.
C.Whenaprotestforineligibilityisdeterminedtobevalid,theoffendingteamshallforfeitthe
gamebeingplayed.
RULE12.CONDUCT
Sec1.UNSPORTSMANLIKECONDUCT–Anyverbalactionbyteammembersmadetowardsumpires,
FreedomSportsdirectors,membersoftheopposingteam,orspectatorsasdeemedas“Unsportsmanlike”
byanyFreedomOfficial,shallbegroundsforanimmediateejectionandsuspensionforONEadditional
game.AnyphysicalactionshallresultintheMINIMUMofanimmediateONE-yearsuspensionfromall
Freedomsanctionedevents.
NOTE:FreedomSportsAssociationreservestherighttoreciprocateanysuspension(s)thataplayer
mayreceivefromothersportsassociationsincludingbutnotlimitedtoASA,ISA,NSA,andUSSSA.
RULE13.UMPIRE
Sec1.TheumpireshallbetheOfficial(s)appointedtoofficiateeachFreedomSportsAssociationgame.The
umpiresaretherepresentativesoftheleagueororganizationfortheparticulargamethattheyhavebeen
assigned.Theyareauthorizedandrequiredtoenforcetherulescontainedinthisbook.Theumpireshave
thepowertoorderaplayer,coach,captain,ormanagertodoorrefrainfromdoing,anyactthatis
necessarytoenforceanyoftheserules;andtoinflictanypenaltiesprescribed.Theplateumpireshallhave
theauthoritytoruleonanysituationnotspecificallycoveredintheserules.NOTE:Anumpireshallnotbea
memberofeitherteam(i.e.player,coach,officerscorekeeper,orspectator.)
Sec2.AllFreedomSportsAssociationUmpiresmustberegisteredandhaveavalidumpireI.D.number
priortoofficiatinganyFreedomSportssanctionedgame.
Sec3.TheUmpireuniformshallconsistof:
A.TheofficialroyalblueFreedomPolostyleshirt.
B.TheofficialFreedomUmpireshat,blackslacksorsolidblackshorts
C.Blackbelt,blacksocks,blackballbag(optional)andblackshoes.
D.Audibletimerclickerandbrush.
NOTE:Slacksdonotincludejeans,sweatpants,joggingpants,orotherpantsorslacksthatwouldnot
beconsideredadressslack.
FREEDOMWOMEN’SPROGRAM
FreedomSportsBasicRuleswillgovernwomen’splaywiththefollowingexceptions:
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Sec1.TheOfficialapprovedsoftballforFreedomwomen’splayshallbean11-inchballwithaCORof.44
max.TheballmustbeanopticyellowballwithaFreedomStampedlogoontheball.
Sec2.FreedomSportsRepresentatives,TournamentDirectors,andStateDirectorsreservetherightto
equalizebyrunspot,anyWomen’stournamentasdeemedappropriate.EachrespectiveStateDirectorwill
settheequalizationstandardfortournamentswiththeauthorityovertheWomen’sProgram.
Sec3.Asperrule10,section10,HomerunsintheWomen’sprogramwillbeunlimitedfortheupper,and
2homerunsforthelower.
Sec4.UpperWomen’steamswillspotalllowerwomen’steams(5)runsandlowerlevelteamwillbe
permittedtouse(11)fieldersaswell.
Sec5.Ifalowerwomen’steampicksupmorethen(2)playersfromaWomen’supperteamtheyalsowill
nowbeconsideredanupperteam.AllWomen’steamsareallowed(2)dropdownplayersfromupper
division.
FREEDOMCO-EDPROGRAM
FreedomSportsbasicslowpitchruleswillgovernplaywiththefollowingexceptions:
Sec1. NOTE.Itisnotpermissibletouseeleven(11)playersbecauseofthealternateplayerruleforthebattingorder.
A. LowerCoed-RosterCanconsistofeither(6)malesand(4)Females,or(7)malesand(5)females,or(6)males
and(6)females,or(5)malesand(5)females.(1)DropDowninthelowerdivisionitcanbeeither(1)Comp
Maleor(1)Crankedwomen,NoCrankedMaleorWomenaboveCinanyassociationcanplaylower.NOTE:
ifateamisdominatingthedivisionoraDirectorthinksarearenotatruelowerteamtheywillbebumpedto
competitivedivision.
B. CompetitiveCoed-Rostersmustbe(5)malesand(5)femalesor(6)malesand(6)females.Onlyexceptionis
morewomenareallowedthenmen.AllwomenCclassinUSSSAandbelowareallowedtoplay.(1)Upper
Competitivemaleisallowedand(2)Bclassrankedwomenplayer.
C. OpenCoed-Rostersmustconsistof(5)malesand(5)femalesor(6)malesand(6)females….BringYourTeam
andplay….Anyplayercanplay
Sec2.Itwillbepermissibletohavemorefemalesthenmalesinthelineup,butnevermoremalesthen
females.EXCEPTION:Ifafemaleplayer(s)getsinjured,ejectedorunexpectedlyleavesthegame,theteam
maycontinuetoplayaslongasaminimumof(4)femaleplayersremainintheline-up.EFFECT:Atnotime
willsix(6)malesbepermittedtoplaydefenseatthesametime.
Sec3.BattingorderforCoedteamsmustalwaysalternatebetweensexes.Exceptinlowerno(2)femalesor
(3)Malescanbatbacktoback.
Exception:inlowercoedifyouhave(6)femalesand(5)Makestwofemalescanbatbacktoback
Sec4.Twofemalesmaybatbacktoback,butnevertwomales.(seesection2)
Sec5.Ateammayendthegamewithonly(9)players.EFFECT:Ifinjuryoccurs,anoutiscalledifthereisno
substitutefortheinjuredplayer.
Sec6.Malebatterswillhittheapproved12”softballandfemalebatterswillhittheapproved11”softball
withFreedomSportslogo.Note:Femaleshaveoptiontohitthe12"ball.
Sec7.BaseonBalls–Anymalebatterwhoreceivesabaseonballswhetherintentionalornot,willbe
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awardedsecondbase(allotherrunnerswilladvanceonlyifforcedbythiswalk.)andthefemalebatter
followinghim,willhavetheoptionoftakinganawardoffirst(1st)baseortakinganactualatbat.Ifshe
electstotakethebaseonballs,shemustdosobeforethefirstlegallypitchedballisthrowntoher.Nopitch
maybemadeuntilthenextfemalebatterconfirmsherchoice.Exception:ifamaleiswalkedandheis
followedbyanothermaleinlowercoedhewillonlybeawarded1stbase.
Sec8.FreedomRunners-Teamsmayuseanunlimited"FreedomRunner"ofeachsexperhalfinningall
gamelong.OnemaleandonefemalemustbedeclaredbeforethegameastheFreedomRunnersifno
Freedomrunnerisdeclaredthentheteamwillhavenooptiontouseacourtesyrunnertheentiregame.
ThefemaleFreedomRunnercanrunforanyfemaleplayerunlimitedtimesperhalfinningandthemale
Freedomrunnermayrununlimitedtimesforanymaleperhalfinning.TheFreedomRunnermaybe
anyoneontheteamlineuporonrosterbutmustfinishtheirrunbeforetheirturnatbatwhenapplicable.
FreedomRunnersshouldalwaysbeassumingtheroleofbasecoachestokeepthegameflowingand
movingsmoothly.
Sec9.Defensiveteammusthaveatleastfivefemalesinthefieldplayingdefense.EXCEPTIONS:Ateam
maystartagamewithaminimumof(5)femaleplayers.Ifafemaleplayer(s)getsinjured,ejectedor
unexpectedlyleavesthegame,theteammaycontinuetoplayaslongasfour(4)femaleplayersremaininthe
line-up.Atnotimewillsixmalesbepermittedtoplaydefenseatthesametime.IftheteamlosestheirEH
womenthenanoutwillbeissuedeveryonetimeherturncomestobat.WomenandMenmayplayanywhere
theychoosetointhefield,i.e.teamscanstack10playersintheinfieldoroutfield.MenandWomenmay
chooseanypositionofplayonthefieldatallsaidtimes.Exceptions:Inlowertheremustbeaminimumof4
womeninthefieldatalltimes.
Sec10.HomeRuns–IntheCoeddivisionanyhomerunhitbyafemalewillnotcountagainstthehomerun
limit.Female'smayhitunlimitedhomerunsinUpper,Comp,andLowerCoeddivisions.NOTE:Ifafemale
hitsaHr.theirbatissubjecttobeinspected
Sec11.Stealingispermittedinallthecoeddivisions.
Sec12.Rostersshallbe:
A.LowerCompetitiveCoed-Rostersforthisdivisioncanconsistofalllowerandrecreationmenand
alllowerwomen(D)USSSAorlowerplayers,thisdivisionwillbeallowed(1)DropDowninthelower
divisionitcanbeeither(1)CompMaleor(1)Crankedwomen,NoCrankedMaleorWomenaboveCinany
associationcanplaylower.
B.CompetitiveCoed-RostersmustbeallmenCompetitive,LowerandRecandLower(C)Classor
Lowerwomen’s,thisdivisionwillallow(1)UpperCompetitivemaleand(2)Bclassrankedwomenplayerasdrop
downs.
C.UpperCompetitiveCoed-Willbeallowedanyrankedplayeryouwanttobring.
Sec13.EXTRAINNINGS.ExtraInningsshallbedeclareduponthecompletionofthe7th inningORthe
completionofthecurrentinningafterthetimehasexpired,andthescoretied.EFFECT:Startingwiththe
topoftheeighthinning,andeachhalfinningthereafter,theoffensiveteamshallbeginitsturnatbatusingthe
FREEDOMRUNNERORLASTBATTEDOUTbeingplacedonsecondbase.
FREEDOMMASTER'SPROGRAM
FreedomMen'sRuleswillgovernallMastersplaywiththefollowingexceptions:
Sec1.Aplayer40thbirthdaymustoccurinthecurrentcalendaryeartobeeligibletoplay
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Sec2.HomerunsintheMastersUpperdivisionwillbe4hrand1up.HomerunsintheMastersLower
divisionwillbe(2)andanout.
Sec3.ThestatedirectororregionaldirectorinthatregionwilldetermineupperdivisionandLower
DivisionoftheMastersprogram.
FREEDOMMILITARYPROGRAM
FreedomMen'sRuleswillgovernallMilitaryplaywiththefollowingexceptions:
RULE1.TEAMCLASSIFICATION
Sec1.TheMilitaryMen'sProgramshallfeature(2)Divisions:MilitaryUpper&MilitaryLower
Sec2.TheMilitaryWomen'sProgramwillconsistofaMilitaryWomen’sDivision.
RULE2.PLAYERELIGILITY
Sec1.Men’sMilitaryTeamsmayconsistof:ActiveDuty,Reserves,ROTC,NationalGuard,retiredmilitary
andmilitarydependents18yearsorolderandDepartmentofDefenseemployeesprovidingdirectsupport
toamilitarybase.AllPlayersmusthaveagovernmentIdentificationcard.Retiredmilitarypersonneland
retiredDepartmentofDefenseciviliansareeligibletoplaywithateamfromthestatewheretheyretired
orateamfromthestateoftheirpermanentaddress.ContractorswhohaveaDoDIDcardoracommon
accesscard(CAC)areeligibletoparticipate.
Sec2.Women'sMilitaryTeammayconsistof:ActiveDuty,Reserves,ROTC,NationalGuard,retired
militaryandmilitarydependents18yearsorolderandDepartmentofDefenseemployeesprovidingdirect
supporttoamilitarybase.AllPlayersmusthaveagovernmentIdentificationcard.Retiredmilitary
personnelandretiredDepartmentof Defenseciviliansareeligibletoplaywithateamfromthestate
wheretheyretiredorateamfromthestateoftheirpermanentaddress.ContractorswhohaveaDoDID
cardoracommonaccesscard(CAC)areeligibletoparticipate.
RULE3.TEAMROSTERGUIDELINES
Sec1.ALLPLAYERSMUSTCARRYDRIVERSLICENCEANDPROPERMILITARYIDENTIFICATIONONTHEM
ATALLTIMES.
Sec2.Men’sMilitaryUpperRostersmustprovideavalidCACorDoDcardtoparticipateatthislevel.
A.MaleplayerswhosenameappearsontheMajorPlayerListorWatchListarenoteligibleto
competeintheMilitaryProgram
B.Men’sUpperrostersarelimitedtooneplayerwhosenameappearsontheMen’sClassARoster
C.UpperrostersarelimitedtoonecontractorwhomustprovideaDoDCommonAccessCardwhich
containsagreencolorbar.Andallowed2contractors/DD214players.
Sec3.Men’sMilitaryLowerRostersmustprovidethefollowingdocuments:
A.ActivedutyreservistsmustprovideacopyofPCSorderswithMilitaryIDatregistration,
whichplacesthematcurrentmilitaryinstallationorcommand
B.Allothereligibleplayersincludingretirees,DoDcontractors(whichmustprovideDoD
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CommonAccessCardwithgreencolorbar)anddependentsmustshowproofofIDandresidencyfromthe
state/localregiontheyareplayingintoproveeligibility.Alsoallow(1)contractor/DD214playerinlower.
C.Men’steamsthatcannotprovideplayereligibilitydocumentswillbemovedtoMen’s
UpperDivision.EXCEPTION:AnyplayerreceivingPCSorderswithin30daysoftheFreedomMilitaryWorld
TournamentcanrequestanexceptionfromtheFreedomNationalDirector
Sec4.FREEDOMrosterswillbelimitedto20playerspersanctioningyearofwhicheveryplayermustbe
onanonlinerosteratwww.FreedomSports.com.Ifateamchangesitsnamethroughouttheyeartheymust
payanewsanctionfee.Playersmaybeaddedontoteamrostersuntilstates.Playersafterstatesbeing
addedmustbeapprovedbytheStateDirectororaRegionalDirector.
Sec5.MilitaryDropDownRule:Men’sMilitaryLowerDivisionmayhave(2)playersfromtheMen’s
MilitaryUpperDivisionontheirRoster.
Sec6.OnceateamhascompleteditsfirstgameduringaFREEDOMtournament,thatteamwillnotbe
allowedtoaddadditionalplayerstoitsrosterwithoutspecialpermissionandforgoodcause,fromthe
TournamentDirector.Teamsmayalwaysplayupadivisionbutcanneverplaylowerthantheircurrent
approveddivisionofplay.AnyteamwithTwodropdownplayersthenallowedbyourcriteriawill
constitutethatteamtobeconsideredthelevelabove.Example,aMilitaryLowerteamhas4MilitaryUpper
playersonthatteam,theywillbeconsideredillegaltoplayintheMilitaryLowerdivisionandwouldbe
consideredaMilitaryUpperTeam.Therewillbenorotatingofdropdownplayers,meaningateamcannot
bring4-5dropdownsandonlyplaysomanyatatime.Allplayersplayingmustbeontheroster,andwhen
morethanalloweddropdownsareontherosteritwillmaketheteambeconsideredaclassificationlevel
higherorapplicabletowhotheybringandroster.Theteamwillalsobeforfeitedoutofgameor
tournamentwithillegalrosters.
RULE4.HOMERUNRULES
Men’sMilitaryUpperDivision:8and1up,extrahit–onlyanout
Men’sMilitaryLowerDivision:3and1up,extrahit–onlyanout.
Women’sDivision:Unlimited
RULE5.MILITARYWORLDS
Sec1.ForTeamsparticipatingintheMilitaryWorldTournament,Playersmayparticipateinonlyone(1)
divisionofplay,UpperorLower.TDYpersonnelareeligibletocompeteintheWorldTournamentifthe
TDYassignmentis(6)”>monthsormoreinduration.Ateamfromonestatemaycombinewithonlyone
otherteamfromthesamestate.Theplayersfromtheresultingteamcanbefromonlytwoinstallationsand
theresultingteammustcompeteintheUpperDivision.TheWomen’sProgrammayalsocombinewithonly
oneotherteamfromthesamestate.Theplayersfromtheresultingteamcanbefromonlytwoinstallations.
Sec2.TeamsmustplayinatleastoneFreedomTournamentorparticipateinaFreedomsanctionedleague
tobeeligibletoadvancetotheFreedomMilitaryWorldTournament.
**AllplayingrulesnotspecificallycoveredintheMilitaryProgramshallbegovernedbytheotherrulesas
outlinedintheCurrentFreedomSoftballRuleBookasitpertainstosaidprogrami.e.:Men’sorWomen’s
Non-MilitaryDivisions.
MILITARYABBREVATIONS:
CAC-CommonAccessCard
DoD-DepartmentofDefense
PCS-PermanentChangeOrder
TDY-TemporaryDuty
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FREEDOMWORLDTOURNAMENT
FREEDOM“WORLDS”-Teamsthatfinishinthetop(4)oftheirrespectivedivisionsateachofthe
followingevents:FREEDOMSTATES,andFREEDOMNIT’SshallreceiveaberthtoFREEDOMWORLDS,to
beheldinthefall.1stplaceteamsshallreceivePAIDBerthswhile2ndplace,3rdplace,andpassdownberths
shallbeNON-PAIDBerths.Teamswinningsaidberthsshallhave(10)daystoconfirmberthbypaying
entryfeetoFreedomNationalOffice.TeamswithPaidBerthsshallhaveentireentryfeereturnedupon
completionoffirstgameatWORLDS.
AllteamsMUSThavematchingjerseysfortheWorldTournament,anyteamwithoutmatchingjerseyswill
automaticallybethevisitingteam.Ifbothteamsdonothavematchinguniforms,thenacoinflipwilldecide
homeandaway.Matchingjerseyswillbedefinedasidenticalmatchingshirtwithnumbersontheback
matchingtothefullestforallplayersontheteam.
ToqualifyforWorld’steamsmustplayStatesandanN.I.T.andifateamiscomingfromastate
whereFreedomSportsdoesn’thaveastatetournament,saidteammustplayinanotherstatesN.I.T.
andaRegionaleventaswell.
AllteamsmustpayadeposittoholdspotforFreedomWorldseventifteamsnoshowthedeposit
willnotberefundedorgotowardowedentryfee.
Allteamsoncerostersarelockedareonlyallowedtworostermoves.Makingmorethentwomoves
willcausealostpaidberthforsaidteam.
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FREEDOMYOUTHFASTPITCH
GENERALGUILDELINES
Itistheresponsibilityofcoaches,sponsorsandplayerstoknowtheFREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATIONRulesand
By-Laws.IgnoranceoftheseRulesandBy-Lawsisnotgroundsforprotestorappeal.Softballisacontactsport,
playedwithComposite,Aluminum,Woodandotherapprovedmaterialsindesignofapprovedbats.Thegameof
softballcanbeadangeroussporttoparticipatein.Inplayingthegameofsoftball,theplayerandtheparentsof
theyouthplayersparticipatinginthegameofsoftballassumeforthemselvesandfortheyouthchildren
participatinginthegameofsoftballtheriskofseriousinjuryorpossibledeath.Byagreeingtobeplacedonan
FREEDOMSPORTSroster,theparticipantsorparentsofparticipantsunderstandtheserisks.
RULEINTERPRETATIONS
GeneralyouthgirlsfastpitchtermsusedinFREEDOMsoftballplay,suchasbatter,runner,fielder,infield
fly,etc.,willbegenerallythesameasdefinedbyallmajorsoftballassociations.Ifaninterpretationis
unabletobemadebytheTournamentDirectorandtheUICofaspecificevent,thenateammayprotestto
theStateDirectorforadecision.ShouldtherebenoStateDirectorpresent,thentheymayappealtoa
RegionalDirector.Decisionsmadeintheabovemanner,shallbebinding.AnyFreedomDirectororUmpire
whomhasanyinterestinanappeal(whetherplayer,coach,sponsor,etc)maynothaveanyinvolvementon
thefinalruling.
ALTEREDBAT–Abatisconsideredtobealteredwhenthephysicalstructureofalegalbathasbeen
changed,oranon-approvedbathasbeenchangedtoresemblealegalbat.Usinganyprocessthatexerts
morepressureonabatthanisexperiencedduringnormalplay,suchasrollingorrollingabat,is
consideredalteringabat.
APPEALPLAY-Aplayinwhichanofficialcannotmakearulinguntilrequestedbyateamcoach,orplayer.
Appealmustbemadetoofficialmakingthecall.AppealmustbemadeatANYTIMEbeforeanyofthe
following:
A.Nextlegalpitch.
B.Thepitcherandallinfieldershaveleftfairterritory.
C.TheOfficialshaveleftthefieldofplay.
NOTE:Judgmentcallscannotbeappealed.
BALL-Official“FREEDOMSPORTS”stamped47-375core-compressionsoftballsmustbeusedinall
Freedomplay.TheballmustbestampedwiththeFreedomLogoandnootherlogoballshallbeusedunless
approvedbytheNationaloffice.Eleven(11)orTwelve(12)inchballsmaybeused.
BATS–Theofficialbatshallberoundincrosssection,straightinlengthandmeasure34incheslong,
includingtapeorothergripadditionstothebat,andnotmorethan2-1/4inchesindiameteratitslargest
part.Itsweightshallbeatleast26ouncesbutnotmorethan38ounces.AllbatsmustbeFreedomSports
Associationapproved.
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BASEPATH–Imaginaryline3’tobothsidesofthestraightlinebetweenallbases.NOTE:Aplayermust
staywithinthebasepathexceptwhenmomentumroundingbasescarryingthemoutsideofthebasepath.Any
attempttoavoidatagbeyondthe3’basepathshallresultinanout.
BLOCKEDBALL-Ablockedballisafairball,battedorthrown,whichistouched,stoppedorhandledbya
personnotengagedinthegame;ortouchesanyobjectwhichisnotpartoftheofficialequipmentorofficial
playingarea;ortoucheslooseequipment.NOTE:Anyballhittingaplayeroroffensiveequipmentotherthan
theondeckbatter/battersequipment,shallbedeclaredanout.Baserunnerclosesttohomeplateshallbethe
outandallotherrunnersmustreturntotheirbaseheldlast.ABlockedBallisNOTdeclaredwhenballstrikes
abasecoachoranOfficialasanOfficialisdeemedpartoftheplayingfield.
BUNT–Whenabatterholdsthebatinthepathoftheballinordertoplaceorslowlytaptheballintofair
territory.Thebatterdoesnotswingtohittheball.
CALLEDGAME–AgamewillbeconsideredcalledwhendeclaredbytheUmpireorsitedirectordueto
weather,darkness.Oranyotherhazardousevent.
CATCH-Acatchistheactofafieldergettingsecurepossessioninahandorgloveofaliveballinflightand
firmlyholdingit.NOTE:Inestablishingavalidcatch,thefieldershallholdtheballlongenoughtoprove
completecontrolofitandthatthereleaseoftheballisvoluntaryandintentional.
CHARGEDCONFERENCE–Aconferencewillbeconsideredchargedwhenduringthegameacoachor
otherbenchpersonnelrequeststime-outtomeetwithoffensiveordefensivepersonnel.
CHOPPEDBALL–Whenthebatterstrikesdownwardwithachoppingmotionsothattheballbounceshigh
intotheair,thisisconsideredachoppedhitball.
CROWHOP–Iswhenthepivotfootisreplantedpriortothedeliveryofpitch
DEADBALL–Whentheballisnotinplay,adeadballshallbedeclared.Thepitchermustbestationed
withinthe16-footcircleandtheumpiremustcallplayballinorderforplaytoresumeafteradeadballis
declared.
DISLODGEDEQUIPMENT–Whenafieldercontactsorcatchesabattedorthrownballwithhisorhercap,
gloveoranypartofhisorheruniformwhiledetachedfromitsproperplace.EFFECT:Theballisdeadand
therunnershallbeentitledtothree(3)basesifabattedballortwo(2)basesifathrownball.Iftheillegalact
wasmadeonafairballthat,inthejudgmentoftheumpire,wouldhaveclearedtheoutfieldfenceinflight,a
homerunshallbeawarded,andafour(4)baseerrorwillbescoredontheplaywiththehomerunnot
countingagainsttheteam’shomeruntotal.
DEADBALL-Theballisnotinplayandnotconsideredinplayagain,untilthepitcherhastheballinher
possessionandtheumpirehascalled“playball”.
DELAYEDDEADBALL-Aninfraction,signaledbytheumpire,inwhichtheballremainsaliveuntilallplay
hasbeencompletedandtheumpirecallstime.
DIVISIONOFPLAY–Thedifferentdivisionsofplayofferedare:Red(A),White(B)andBlue(C).Age
classificationsshallbe:10u,12u,14u,16u,and18u.
DRAGBUNT-Whenabatterattemptstobuntaballbyrunningforwardinthebatterboxwhilecarrying
thebat.
DROPPEDBALL–Anyballdroppedintentionallyattheumpire’sdiscretion,shallbedeclaredadeadball.
EFFECT:Allrunnersreturntotheirlastheldbaseandbattershallbedeclaredout.
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FAKETAG-Whenafieldernotreceivingathrowfakesthecatchingmotion.EFFECT:Faketagsare
prohibited.Faketagsshallresultineachbaserunnerbeingawardedoneadditionalbase.Playershallalsobe
warned.Asecondoffenseshallresultinplayerbeingejectedfromthegame.
FAIRBALL-Abattedballthat:
Isonoroverfairterritorywhenstoppedintheinfieldorisboundingtowardtheoutfield.Contactwithany
Baseshallbeafairball.
1. Firstmakescontactinfairterritorybeyond1Bor3Bincludingthefoulline.
2. Passesovertheoutfieldfencewhileoverfairterritoryorhitsthefoulpoles.
3. Hitsanoutfieldfenceonorbetweenthefoulpoles.
FIELDINGGLOVE-Glovesmustbewornbyallfielders.PlayershavetheFREEDOMtouseANYglove(not
greaterthan15fifteeninches)atanyposition,atanytime.
FOULBALL-Anybattedballthatstopsorsettlesinfoulterritorywithoutfirstbeingtouchedinfair
territory,orwhichisfirsttouchedinfoulterritory,orthatfirsttouchessomeout-of-playobjectorareain
foulterritory,orthatfirsttouchesfoulgroundbeyondfirstandthirdbase,orwhichdoesnotconformto
therequirementsthatwouldmakeitafairball.EFFECT:Baserunnershavethefreedomtomakeanattempt
toadvanceonanycaughtball,thisincludesthirdstrikecaughtball.
FOULTIP-Afoultipisabattedballthatgoesdirectlyfromthebat,nothigherthanthebattershead,tothe
catcher’shandsorglove,andislegallycaughtbythecatcher.Afoultipisastrike.Thebatterisoutifitis
thethirdstrike.
FORCEOUT-Aforceoutisanoutwhichcanbemadeonlywhenabaserunnerlosestherighttothebasehe/sheis
occupyingbecausethebatterbecomesabatter-baserunnerandbeforethebatter-runnerorasucceedingbaserunner
hasbeenputout.
FORFEIT-Scoreofaforfeitgameshallbedeemeda7-0winforthenon-forfeitingteaminsuchcaseasthe
tournamentdirectorisunabletoobtainanalternateteamtoplayintheforfeitingteamsplace.
FREEDOMRUNNER–Arunnerthatisfreetorunanunlimitednumberoftimesperinningpergame.
NOTE:Freedomrunnercanbeanyplayerontheroster,regardlessofiftheyareinthelineupornot.One
Freedomrunnerperteamshallbedesignatedatthecoinflip.
GAME–Agameisconsideredregulationwhenseven(7)inningshavebeencompletedortimelimithas
beenreachedunlessextrainning(s)arenecessarybecauseofatiescoreorwhenhometeamdoesnot
requireitshalfoftheseventh(7th)inning.Acalledgamewillbeconsideredregulationafterfour(4)
completeinnings.
ILLEGALPLAYER-Illegaluseofre-entryrule,oranunreportedsubstituteorbaserunnershallbedeemed
anIllegalPlayer.Andthisillegalplayerwillbedeemedanout.
INELIGIBLEPLAYER-Playerunderanassumednameoraplayernotontheteams’roster.EFFECT:
PenaltyshallresultinimmediateForfeitofgameifprotestedproperly.TheTournamentDirectororUICmay
declareaplayerineligibleimmediatelywithouthavingateamprotest,nomattertheirrosterstatus.
INFIELDFLY-Aninfieldflyisafairfly(notincludingalinedriveoranattemptedbunt)whichcanbe
caughtbyaninfielderwithordinaryeffort(ruledoesnotprecludeoutfieldersfrombeingallowedtomake
thecatch);andprovidedthehitismadebeforetwoareoutandatatimewhenfirstandsecondbaseorall
basesareoccupied.
LINEUP–Ateamshallconsistofaminimumofnine(9)playersandamaximumoftwelve(12)playersif
thetwo(2)optionalExtraPlayer(EP)andtheDesignatedHitter(DH)areused.
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OBSTRUCTION-Adefensiveteammemberwhohindersorimpedesabatter’sattempt(intentionalor
unintentional,physicalorverbal)tomakecontactwithapitchedballorwhoimpedestheprogressofa
runnerorbatter-runnerlegallyrunningthebases,unlessthefielderisinpossessionoftheballorisfielding
abattedball.NOTE:Acatcher’sobstructioniscalledwhenthecatcherobstructsorhindersthebatterfrom
swingingatapitch.Priortothepitch,catcherobstructiondoesnotapply,adeadballshallbecalledandallow
thebatterandrunners(ifapplicable)toresetthemselves.
PLAYINGFIELD-Theareawithinwhichtheballmaybelegallyplayedandfielded.
SACRIFICE-Asacrificeisabuntwhichenablesanyrunnertoadvance,oraflyballwhichenablesarunner
toscore;but,ineithercase,resultsinthebatter-runnerbeingputoutbeforereachingfirstbaseorwould
haveresultedinthebatterrunnerbeingputoutifthehithadbeenfieldedwithouterrorandprovidedtwo
werenotoutwhentheballwashit.Asacrificeisnotlistedasa“time-atbat.”
SLIDE(LEGAL)-Iseitherfeetfirstorheadfirst.Onelegandbuttocksmustbeonthegroundandthe
runnermustbewithinone(1)footfromthebase.
SLIDE(ILLEGAL)-Ifarunnertriestoinjureadefensiveplayer,raisesherlegsabovethefielder'sknee
level,rollsorpopsupintoadefensiveplayerorslidesbeyondthebagandinterfereswiththedefensive
playershallbecalledanillegalslideandtherunnerdeclaredout.
SLAPHIT-Whenabatterappearstobunttheballbutinsteadthebatterusesamodifiedswingor“slap”at
theballasitapproacheshomeplate.
STEALING-Theactofarunnerattemptingtoadvancetothenextbasewithouttheaidofabasehit,putout,
orafielding(includingbatter)error.NOTE:Anattemptedstealinvolvingmorethanonerunner(twoor
three)isconsideredadoubleortriplesteal.Theactofarunnerattemptingtoadvanceduringthepitchor
afterthepitchhasreachedtheplateisconsideredtobetheactofstealing.
STRIKEZONE–Thestrikezoneistheareaovertheplatebetweenthebatter’sarmpitstothetopsoftheir
knees.Astrikewillbecalledwhenanypartoftheballinflightpassesoverthestrikezone.TheUmpire
shalldeterminethestrikezoneforeachsaidbatterbasedonthatsaidbattersusualbattingstance.
TURNATBAT-Aturnatbatbeginswhenaplayerfirstentersthebatter’sboxandcontinuesuntilthe
playerissubstitutedfor,putout,orbecomesabatterrunnerwhileatbat.
WILDPITCH-Awildpitchisapitchthatcannotbehandledbythecatcherwithordinaryeffort.
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RULE1.CLASSIFICATIONSANDAGEREQUIREMENTS
Sec.1.THEYOUTHGIRLSFASTPITCHPROGRAMWILLBEDIVIDEDINTOTHEFOLLOWING
CLASSIFICATIONS.Aplayer’sageonDecember31,ofthepreviouscalendaryeardeterminestheage
classificationinwhichtheplayeriseligibletoparticipate.Seebelowforquickreferencechart.
10-UnderAge
Aplayerbornafter
Classification
December31,2004is
ELIGIBLE.
12-UnderAge
Aplayerbornafter
Classification.
December31,2002is
ELIGIBLE.
14-UnderAge
Aplayerbornafter
Classification.
December31,2000is
ELIGIBLE.
16-UnderAge
Aplayerbornafter
Classification.
December31,1998is
ELIGIBLE.
18-UnderAge
Aplayerbornafter
Classification.
December31,1996is
ELIGIBLE.
Sec.2.PLAYERIDENTIFICATION.Uponrequestbyleague,directors,ortournamentofficialsincluding
StateorNationals,aplayermustproduceproperidentification(whichshallincludeacurrentbirth
certificateoftheplayer)ortheplayershallbedeclaredineligibleandtheteamsubjecttosuspension.
Sec.3.SIGN-IN/FREEDOMROSTER(WAIVERANDRELEASEOFLIABILITY)FORM.Everyplayermust
sign-inontheFreedomrosterwithliabilitywaiverpriortothatsaidplayerparticipatinginanyleagueor
tournament.Allformsmustbeco-signedwiththatsaidplayer’slegalguardianandteammanager.Playing
withoutsigningaFreedomRosterwithliabilitywaivershallbecauseforimmediateforfeitoftheteamthat
saidnon-signingplayerisparticipatingwith.Thefollowingpenaltieswillbeenforced:
A.Anyteamcaughtwithforgedsignaturesonanofficialroster,willbesuspendedfromall
FREEDOMplayfor(6)SIXMonths.
B.AnyteamcaughtplayinginaFREEDOMTournamentwithoutturninginacompletelyfilledout
rosterincludingsignaturesofallparticipatingplayers,willforfeitanygamethatbeganwithoutroster
havingbeenturnedintotheTournamentDirector.
C.AnyplayercaughtplayinginaFREEDOMTournamentwithoutsigningtheirteamrosterwillbe
suspendedfromallFREEDOMplayfor(6)SIXMonths.
D.Anyplayerwhosignsafakenametoarosterwillreceiveaone(1)yearsuspensionfromthesaid
dateofoccurrence.Teamcoachwillbesubjecttoaone(1)yearsuspensionfromthesaiddateof
occurrence.
Sec.4.FREEDOMFASTPITCHSEASON.TheFreedomfastpitchseasonandteamsanction/registrationfee
willrunfromAugust1stuntilJuly31st.
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Sec.5.TEAMROSTERGUIDELINES-FREEDOMrosterswillbelimitedtotwenty(20)playersper
sanctioningyearofwhicheveryplayermustbeonanonlinerosteratwww.FreedomSports.com.Players
maybeaddedontoteamrostersuntilstatetournament.PlayersbeingaddedmustbeapprovedbytheState
DirectororaRegionalDirectorandcannothaveplayedwithateamofmorethanonelevelhigherclassper
the“DropDownRule”.
A.OnceateamhascompleteditsfirstgameduringaFREEDOMtournament,thatteamwillnotbe
allowedtoaddadditionalplayerstoitsrosterwithoutspecialpermissionandforgoodcause,fromthe
TournamentDirector.
B.Teamsmayalwaysplayupadivisionbutcanneverplaylowerthantheircurrentapproved
divisionofplay.
C.Aplayer’snameonarosterunsigneddoesnotguaranteetheteamthattheplayerinquestionisa
validrosteredplayer.
EXAMPLE:TeamBwritesJaneDoe’snameontheteam’stournamentrosterandJaneDoewasnot
theretoplay.IftheywinaberthatthistournamentJaneDoewillnotbeconsideredontherosteruntilthe
rosterisclearedtoinsureshedoesnotputtheteamovertheirrosterlimitations,untilitisconfirmedsheis
notonanotherlockedroster,anduntilnoticeisgiventotheFreedomNationalOfficebysaidplayerand
coachstatingthatsheisindeedapartoftheteam.
1.AnyplayercanplayinanyofFreedom’shigherageclassificationteam,butnoplayercan
everplayonanylowerageclassificationteam.
2.AplayercannotcompeteinanysanctionedFreedomtournamentwithmorethanone(1)
teamduringthesametournament.
Sec7.TEAMCLASSIFICATION:
A.Teamsshallbeclassifiedatthehighestlevelthatthemajorityoftheirplayershaveplayedduring
thelastthree(2)yearswithothersoftballassociationsrecognizedbyandingoodstandardwithFreedom
Sports.
B.Teamsmuststillmeetthespecifiedrequirementsofthedivision.(SeeSec.8.Divisionsfor
requirements).
C.Anyteammaysubmita“ClassificationAppeal”inwritingtoFreedomSportsAssociationviaour
websiteandalldecisionswillberesearchedandapproved/deniedwithin14businessdays.
D.Freedomreservestherighttobumpordropateamatanytimeattheirowndiscretion.
Sec8.DIVISIONS.Everyagegroupshallbedividedintothreedivisions:Red(Elite),White (Competitive)andBlue(Recreational).FreedomSportsAssociationanditsNationalOfficeshall
havetherighttomoveteamsattimeintoanotherdivision(Red,WhiteorBlue)basedonteam
performanceandspecifiedrequirementslistedbelow.
A.Red.TheReddivisionshallconsistofeliteteams/players.Anyteamconsideredtobethehighest
levelcompetitivetravelteam.Ifyourteamisnormallyincontentiontowineachtournamentyouenterand
youbeatthe"better"teamsinyourstate,andyouhavemultiplefrontlinepitchers,thenyoushould
consideryourselfan"Elite"team.AsmallpercentageofteamsqualifiesforReddivisionplay.
B.White.TheWhitedivisionshallconsistofuppercompetitiveteams/players.Anyteam
consideredtobeanaveragetoaboveaveragelevelcompetitivetravelteam.Ifyourteamisoccasionallyin
contentiontowinatournamentyouenterandyouarecompetitivewithmostteamsinyourstate,andyou
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havesolidbutnotoverwhelmingpitching,thenyoushouldconsideryourselfan"Competitive"team.The
majorityofteamsqualifiesforWhitedivisionplay.
1.The8&underWhitedivisionshallbecoachpitch.
2.AnyWhitedivisionteamshallhavenoteammembersorplayersconsideredcollegiate
athletes(NCAA,NAIA,NJCAAoranysimilarorganization).
3.AnyWhitedivisionteamwillbealloweduptotwo(2)ExtraPlayers(EP)intheirline-up
pergame.
C.Blue.TheBluedivisionshallconsistoflowercompetitiveteams/players.Anyteamthattypically
onlyplaysinalocalleague,atownleague,anallstarteamfromalocalleagueorateamthatmightonly
playinoneortwotournamentsayear.A"LowerCompetitive"teamisalsoanyteamconsideredtobean
entrylevelornewtravelteamwithkidsnewtotravelsoftballandlackstheexperienceandnumberof
skilledplayersandpitcherstocompeteonaNationalorStatelevelswiththehigherskilledClass“Redand
White”teams
1.The8&underBluedivisionshallbecoachpitch.
2.AnyBluedivisionteamshallhavenoteammembersorplayersconsideredcollegiate
athletes(NCAA,NAIA,NJCAAoranysimilarorganization).
3.AnyBluedivisionteamwillbealloweduptofour(4)ExtraPlayers(EP)intheirline-up
pergame
Sec.9.LOCKEDROSTERS.Playerswhomareona“WorldSeries”qualifyingteamroster,willbe
frozentothatteamrosterforallother“WORLDSERIESQUALIFYING”Tournaments.Duringnon-World
SeriesQualifyingEvents,playersmaypickup,WITHAPPROVAL,onanother team’sroster.Noplayerona
frozenrosterwillbeallowedtobeaddedtoanotherteam’srosterunlessaplayerreleaseformhasbeen
submittedandapprovedbytheStateDirectororRegionalOffice.Anyplayercaughtplayingonanother
rosterwillbesuspendedregardlessoftheclassificationbeingplayedforaperiodofsix(6)months.
A.Atthetimeateam’srosterbecomeslockedtheteamwillbeallowedtoaddtwo(2)non-locked
playerstotheirfrozenworldroster.TheseadditionsmustbeapprovedbytheFREEDOMNationalOffice
andmaynotexceedtherosterlimitations.Ifforanyreasontheteamaddsmoreplayersthantheallotted
two(2)pickupstheirworldberthwillbeforfeitedandtheirrosterwillbeunlockedandtheywillneedto
qualifyagainforworldswithanewroster.EXAMPLETeamAwinsaqualifierandgetsaberthtoworld
series.TeamAthendecidestorelease4playersandneedstopickup(3)playerstohaveavalidroster.TeamA
willforfeittheirworldberthandbeforcedtoqualifyforworldsagain.Underextenuatingcircumstances,the
two(2)playerpick-upmaybechangedattheFreedomNationalOfficediscretion.
B.Playersmaybereleasedfromarosterofaqualifiedteamonlyunderthefollowingconditions:
1.ThequalifyingteamsdisbandsandwrittennoticeisgiventotheFREEDOMNational
Office.
2.WrittennoticehasbeensubmittedtotheFREEDOMNationalOfficewithwrittennotice
returnedtotheteammanagerorcoach,confirmingapprovalofplayer’srelease.Noplayercan
returntoateamthatitreleasedfromduringthecurrentseason.
RULE2.FIELDOFPLAY
EveryeffortwillbemadebyeachFreedomDirectortoobtainSoftballComplexeswiththeofficialfield
dimensions.Eachdirectorwillcompensateanyvarieddistanceswhenpossible.
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Sec.1.BASEPATHS.TheprimarydistancesforFREEDOMyouthfastpitchsoftballare60’BasePaths.
Sec.2.PITCHINGPLATE.Youthfastpitchpitchingmoundwillhaveacircledrawnfromthemid-pointof
itsfrontedgeandhavearadiusof8ftandadiameterof16ftround.
A.Thepitchingplateshallbe24inchesinlength,whiteandmadeofrubber.
DIVISIONS
PITCHING
FENCE
DISTANCE
DISTANCE
8&Under
40ft
175ft
10&Under
40ft
200ft
12&Under
40ft
200ft
14&Under
43ft
200ft
16&Under
43ft
200ft
18&Under“White”“Blue”
43ft
225ft
18&Under“Red”
43ft
225ft
Sec.3.FIELDDISTANCES.Thesuggestedfielddistanceappearsabove.Distancesmayvarydependingon
fieldcomplex.
Sec.4. DOUBLEBASE.Thedoublefirstbasemaybeused.Oneportionofthebaseiswhite[whichwillbein
fairterritoryandtheotherisorangeorcolored[whichwillbeinfoulterritory].
A.Anybattedballhittingthewhiteportionofadoublefirstbasebagwillbecalledafairball.Any
battedballhittingtheorangeorcoloredportionofadoublefirstbasebagwillbecalledafoulball.
B.Wheneveraplayisbeingmadebythedefensiveplayeratfirstbase,thedefensiveplayermust
usethewhiteportionofadoublefirstbasebagandthebatter-runnermustusetheorangeorcolored
portionofadoublefirstbasebag.Whenathrowpullsthedefensiveplayerovertheorangeorcoloredpart
ofthedoublebase,therunnermayusethewhiteportiontoavoidacollision.Whenthisoccurs,nopenalty
willbeenforcedAbaserunnermaybeincontactwithonlythewhitebagwhenstandingonbase.
1.Ifabatter-runnertouchesthewhiteportionofadoublefirstbasebagwhenaplayis
beingmadebyadefensiveplayer,therunnerwillbecalledoutbytheumpire,andadeadballwillbe
declared.
2.Interferenceandanoutwillbecalledonthebattedrunnerifthatsaidbattedrunnertouches
thewhiteportionofadoublefirstbasebagandcollideswiththedefensiveplayerwhoisabouttocatcha
thrownball.Thiswillalsoresultinadeadballbeingcalledandallotherrunnersmustreturntotheirlast
occupiedbase.
Thisruleisineffectonlyontheinitialplayatfirstbase.Thisdoesnotinclude:
1.Returningtothebaseafteroverrunning,
2.Runningonabasehittotheoutfield(runnermaytouchtheorangeorwhitepart)or
3.Re-tagtoadvanceonaflyball.
EFFECT:Ifthebaserunnerusestheorangeportionatanytimeaftersafelysecuringfirstbaseandisnotin
contactwiththewhiteportion,thenhe/sheisconsideredoffthebase.
Sec.5.BATTER’SBOX.Thebatter’sboxshallbeseven(7)feetinlengthandthree(3)feetwide.The
batter’sboxshallbesix(6)inchesfromtheplateandthefrontofthebatter’sboxshallbefour(4)feetfrom
thecenteroftheplate.
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Sec.6THREEFOOTLINE.Athree(3)footlineshallbedrawnparalleltothefirstbasefoullinestarting
halfwaybetweenhomeplateandfirstbaseandextendingallthewaytofirstbase.
Sec.7.CATCHERSBOX.Thecatcher’sboxshallbeten(10)feetinlengthfromtherearoutsidecornersof
thebatter’sboxesandshallbeeight(8)feetfive(5)incheswide.
RULE3.EQUIPMENT
Allequipmentmustconformtoindustrystandardsandmustnotbealteredinanywayorform.
Sec1.HELMETS.NOCSAEapprovedhelmetsmustbewornbyallbatters,runners,ondeckbattersandany
offensiveplayersinthefieldofplay.Eachoffensiveplayermustalsohaveanattachedfaceguardormaskto
theirhelmetthatisNOCSAEapprovedandeveryhelmetmusthavedualearflaps,whichcoversbothears
andtemples.NOTE:Anyplayerfoundviolatingthehelmetrulewillbeissuedone(1)warningtocomplyand
anywarningthereafterwillresultinthatplayerbeingejectedfromthegame.Thefollowingshallalsoapply:
A.Anyoffensiveplayerfoundorobservedbyanumpiredeliberatelyremovingtheirhelmetduring
livegameplay(whileballislive)andisinliveterritory,theumpireshallissueone(1)warningtothe
playerandthecoachofthatplayer.Anyviolationafterwardswillresultinanoutandejectionofthat
player.
B.Anyrunnerfoundorobservedbyanumpiredeliberatelyremovingtheirhelmetduringplaying
actionwillresultinadeadballandallotherrunnersmustreturntopreviouslyoccupiedbase.Thatrunner
andcoachwillbeissuedone(1)warningandanyviolationthereafterwillresultinanoutandthatplayer
beingejectedfromthegame.
C.Chinstrapsareoptional.
Sec2.CATCHER’S.Catcher’sshallwearaNOCSAEapprovedcatcher’shelmetwithdualearflaps,throat
protector,chest/bodyprotectorandshinguards.NOCSAEhockeystylecatcher’smaskareapprovedanddo
notneedseparatethroatprotector.NOTE:Individualsinthefieldofplayoroutsidefieldofplaymustwear
approvedcatcher’sequipmentwhenwarmingupapitcherandduringgameplay.
Sec3.OFFICALBAT.Theofficialbatshallberoundincrosssection,straightinlengthandmeasure34
incheslong,includingtapeorothergripadditionstothebat,andnotmorethan2-1/4inchesindiameterat
itslargestpart.Itsweightshallbeatleast25ouncesbutnotmorethan38ounces.Thebatshallhavea
safetygripoftapeorsomeothermaterialtofacilitateholdingthebatduringthebatter’sswing.Thesafety
gripshallbenotlessthan10incheslong,norextendmorethan15inchesfromthesmallend,orhandle
end,ofthebat.Atoleranceof1/16inchispermitted,toallowforexpansionontheroundbat.Thebatmust
besmooth,roundandfreefromdeepdents,cracks,flatspots,rivetsorothersuchhazardousdefects.It
Shallnotbemorethan21/4inchesindiameteratitslargestpart.NOTE:Anybatwithsuchdefectswillbe
deemedunsafeandremovedfromgameplay.Graphics,includingBPFmarkings,mustbepermanentand
cannotbedecalsoranyothermethodthatcanbeeasilyremovedoraddedtothebat.Theperformance
standardforallnon-woodenbatswillbeaBatPerformanceFactor(BPF)of1.20,orlessundertheASTMBPF
testingprocedure.Thebatshallbemadeofaluminum,composite,fiberglass,wood,orothersuchmaterials
approvedbyFREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATION.
A.TAPE:Playersarefreetotapebatinanymanner,thickness,etc.butmustmaintainaminimumof
10”battapeorsafetygriponthebathandle.
B.KNOBCUFF:Playersarefreetouseknobcuffsbutcuffmustbetapedoverwith1/8 knob
exposedatalltimes.
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C.INSPECTION:DuringallFREEDOMplay,anyUmpire,UIC,orDirectorhastherighttorequestthe
inspectionofanybatorballthatisbroughtintothesportscomplex.Theplayerwillhavetwo(2)
options:
1.Admitthatthebathasbeenaltered,givethebatuptobedestroyed,andtakean
immediateone(1)yearsuspension(automaticlifesuspensionforsecondtimeoffenders).
2.Allowustotestbat.Ifthebatfailscompressiontesting,thebatwillbesenttothe
manufacturerforaformaldeterminationonwhythebatfailedthecompressiontest.Shouldthebatbe
foundtobealtered,theplayerwillreceiveanimmediatefive(5)yearsuspension.Ifthebatpasses
compressiontesting,thebatshallbereturnedimmediately.Anyrefusaltoallowustotestabatshallresult
inanimmediatefive(5)yearsuspension.Suspensionsshallbebindingonthepersonswingingthebatas
wellasthebatowner.
D.PUBLICNOTICE:Theuserand/orowner’snameofanybatfoundtobealteredshallbeposted(along
withteamname)ontheFREEDOMSportsAssociationwebsiteforthepublictoview.
E.BATPROTESTFEE:Foraprotestfeeof$50.00,ateammayprotestanopposingteamplayersbatorball.
Ifthebatistestedandfailscompressiontesting,thefeeshallbereturnedtopersonwhomprotested.Ifbat
orballpassestest,FREEDOMSPORTSASSOCIATIONshallretainfee.Protesttimeshallbelimiteduntilthe
umpireleavesthefieldofplayatthecompletionofthegame.Anyteamcaughtwithanalteredbatshallbe
forfeitedfromthetournament,placedinlastplace,andshallforfeitbothpointsandprizes.
Sec4.OFFICIALBALL.Theofficialballtobeusedshallhaveraisedseamsandshallbeofspherical
designwithasmoothsurface.Thecenterorcoreoftheballshallbeofamaterialanddesigntraditionallyusedto
makesoftballs,orofothermaterial,ordesign,approvedbyFreedomSportsAssociation.Thecovershallbeof
horsehide,cowhide,orothermaterialapprovedbyFreedomSportsandshallbecementedtothecoreandstitched
withcotton,linen,ornylonoranyothermaterialapprovedbyFreedomSportsAssociation.Thefollowingwillalso
apply:
A.Theofficialballcovercolorshallbeopticyellow.
B.TheballmustbestampedwiththeFreedomLogoandnootherlogoballshallbeusedunless
approvedbytheNationaloffice.
C.“OfficialFastPitchSoftball”mustbeclearlyprintedontheball.
D.Themaximumcompression/coreforFreedomSportsGirlsFastPitchballsshallbe“47MAXCOR,
375MAXCOMPRESSION”
E.A12-inchballwillbeusedforalldivisionofgirl’sfastpitchsoftballexceptforthe10andunder
division,whichshallusean11-inchball.
NOTE:Useofanon-approvedballmaybeprotestedbytheopposingteam(oncebatterhastakenthebatter’s
box.)andanoutwillbedeclared.Ifprotestedbefore,theballistobereplacedwiththecorrectballwithno
penalty.Opposingteammayalsoprotestaballthathasbeenputinplay.Allplayersreturntolastbase
occupied,andplayerhittingtheballisout.
Sec5.GLOVES/MITTS.Alldefensiveplayersmustwearagloveinthefield.Glovesmustbenomorethan
14inchesinheight,uniformincolor(nogrey,opticyelloworwhite),bemadeofleatherorotherapproved
materialandcontainsnocirclesorwritingontheoutsidethatwillgivetheappearanceofaball.Anyglove
notmeetingtheserequirementswillbeconsideredillegalandremovedfromthegameofplay.
Sec6.FOOTWEAR.Allindividualsinthefieldofplaymustwearshoes.Nosandalswillbeallowed.Shoes
mustbemadeofleather,canvas,nylon,plasticorothersimilarmaterial.Cleatsmustbemadeofeither
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modeledplastic(softorhardcleats)orhaveasmoothsurface.Nometalcleatsorspikesareallowed.Ifan
offensiveplayerisfoundtohavemetalcleatsorspikesduringthegame,anoutwillbedeclaredforthat
playerandallotherrunnersmustreturntotheirpreviouslyoccupiedbase.
Sec7.JEWELRY.Nojewelrywillbeallowedonthefieldofplay.Medicalalertbraceletsornecklacesare
allowedandmustbetapedtothebodytoprotectfromanyhazardsandmuststillremainvisible.Any
individualnotabidingbythenojewelryrulewillresultinone(1)warningandthejewelrymustbe
removed.Anywarningthereafterwillresultinejectionoftheplayer.
Sec8.UNIFORMS.Alluniformsofeachteammembermustbealikeincolorandstyle.Capsorvisorsmay
bewornbutisnotmandatory.Ifplayerschoosetoweareitheracaporvisor,theymustbeidenticalin
colorandstyle.Numbersmustbeatleast6inchesinheightandvisible.Notwoplayersonthesameteam
mayhaveidenticalnumbers.Ifitisfoundthatthishasoccurred,itmustbecorrectedimmediately.NOTE:
Anyteamnotincompliancewiththeuniformruleshallbereprimandedbyallowingtheotheropposingteam,
ifincompliancewiththeuniformrule,tohaveachoiceofhomeoraway.Ifbothteamsareincomplianceor
notincompliancewiththeuniformrule,thenacoinflipwilldecidewhichteamshallbehomeandaway.
Sec9.OTHERMATERIALS.Acast(hardorsoft)wornbyanyplayerwillbedeemedunsafeandarenot
allowedontheplayingfield.Anybraces,splintsorprosthesis(kneebraces,elbowpads,slidingpads)can
bewornaslongasallmetalareasarewellprotectedorpaddedsothatnohazardousmaterialisvisibleor
cancomeintocontactwithanyotherplayer.Atanytime,theumpirecandeemanymaterialunsafeor
hazardousandmustberemovedfromthegame.
Sec10.REMOVALOFEQUIPMENT.AllFreedomSportsDirectorsandUmpireshavetherightatanygiven
timetoinspectorremoveequipmentfromasaidgameorcomplex.Anyrefusalsofthiswillresultin
suspensionsforteams,players,andcoaches.NOTE:IfabattedballstrikesaplayerintheInfield(grounder,
line-drive,etc)andhitsaplayertheumpirehastherighttoremovethebatandballfromthegamefor
inspection,thatsaidplayerdoesnotneedtoleavethegameforthisactiontotakeplace.
RULE4.THEGAME
Sec1.HOME/AWAY.Thehomeandawayteamshallbedecidedbyacoinflipatapre-gameconferenceat
homeplate.Ifateamisnotincompliancewiththeuniformrule,theyforfeittheirrightstoacoinflipand
theopposingteam(whichisincompliancewithuniformrule)hastherightstochooseeitherhomeor
away.
Sec2.REGULATIONGAME.Aregulationgameshallconsistofseveninningsorattheendofonehourand
thirtyminutesofplay.Anygameplayedfour(4)ormoreinningsshallbedeemedOFFICIAL.Anewinning
startsifthe3rd outisrecordedbeforetheaudiblealarmofthetimer.ATimerwithbothanaudiblealarm
andadigitaldisplaywillbeusedtokeepofficialtime.NOTE:Agamethatistiedaftertheseveninningsor
whentimeexpiresandshallrequireadditionalinningsshallbegovernedaccordingtotherulesof“Extra
Innings”.
Sec3.EXTRAINNINGS."TieBreaker"rulewillbeused.TeamsareFREEtouseFREEDOMRUNNEROR
LASTBATTEDOUTon2Bforeachextrainning.ExtraInningsshallbedeclareduponthecompletionofthe
7th inningorthecompletionofthecurrentinningafterthetimehasexpired.
Sec4.RUNRULE.Playshallceaseineachofthefollowingdivisionsifoneteamiswinningatthe
completionofthefollowinginning;12runs-after3rd Inning,10runs–after4thInning,8runs–after5th
Inningorifthehometeamiswinningatthecompletionofthefollowinginnings;12runs-after2½
Innings,10runs–after3½ Innings,8runs–after4½Innings.
Sec5.ENDOFGAME.Theendofgameshallbecalledwhentheteambehindinscorerecordsits3rdoutat
theendoftheseventhinning,whentimehasexpiredorinanyextrainning.
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A.Thewinningteamwillbetheteamthatscoresthemostrunswhenthe“endofgame”iscalled.
B.Therecordedscoreattheendofaregulationgameshallbethescoreattheendofthelast
completedinningorincompleteinningifthehometeamscoresmorerunsthantheawayteaminthe
incompleteinning.
C.Theumpireisentitledtocallagameatanytimebecauseofdarkness,weather,oranyother
hazardousevents.
Sec6.FORFIETGAME.Scoreofaforfeitgameshallbedeemeda7-0winforthenon-forfeitingteamin
suchcaseasthetournamentdirectorisunabletoobtainanalternateteamtoplayintheforfeitingteams
place.
A.Aforfeitshallbecalledbyanumpireforoneofthefollowingreasons:
1.Ateamislateinappearingforascheduledgame.
2.Ifateamrefusestoplayorcontinueplayafter2minutesonce“playball”hasbeen
announced.
3.Ifateamusestacticstodelayorshortenagame.
4.Ifateamwillfullyviolatesanyoftherulesafterbeingwarnedbytheumpire.
5.Ifateamcannolongerfieldeightdefensiveplayers.
6.Ifateamorcoachofateamthreatensorattacksanumpire,anyFreedompersonnel,or
anyotherplayer/team.
7.Ifaplayerorcoachrefusestoleaveagameafterbeingejectedorremainsinthefieldof
playlongerthan2minutes.
Sec7.DEFENSIVECHARGEDCONFERENCE.Defensiveteamsshallbeallowedonlytwo(2)charged
conferencemeetingsduringaseven(7)inninggamewithoutpenalty.Ifagameremainstiedandextra
inningsarenecessary,thenonechargedconferencemeetingshallbepermittedperextrainningwithout
penalty.
A.Aconferencemeetingshalloccurwhenacoach,player,oranymemberoftheteamrequesttime
foraconference.
B.Nomorethanone(1)chargedconferenceshallbeallowedperinningperpitcher.Asecond
conferenceperpitcherinanyone(1)inningshallresultinremovalofthatpitcher.Aconferenceshallnot
bechargedtoateamwhenapitcherisremovedfromthegameorwhenaninjuryhasoccurred.
C.Whenmorethantwo(2)chargedconferencesaremadeinseven(7)inningsorwhenmorethan
one(1)chargedconferenceismadeineachextrainning,thepitchershallberemovedfortheremainderof
thegame.
Sec8.ACALLEDSTRIKE.Abattershallbechargedastrikewhen:
A.Alegallypitchedballentersthestrikezoneintheairandisnotswungat.
B.Abatterswingsatapitchedballandmisses.
C.Aballisfouledoffandnotcaught.
D.Abattertakegreaterthantwenty(20)secondstoobtainproperpositioninthebatter’sbox.
Sec9.ACALLEDBALL.Abattershallbechargedaballwhen:
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A.Apitchedballdoesnotenterthestrikezoneandthebatterdoesnotswing.
B.Apitcherpitchesanillegalpitchnotswungatorhit.
C.Apitcherpitchesaballoutsideofthestrikezoneandhitsabatter.Thebattershallautomatically
receiveballfour(4)andwalktofirstbase.
D.Apitchertakeslongerthantwenty(20)secondstodeliverapitch.
RULE5.THEPLAYERSANDSUBSTITUTIONS
Sec1.LINEUP–Ateamshallconsistofaminimumofnine(9)playersandamaximumoftwelve(12)
playersifthetwo(2)optionalExtraPlayer(EP)andtheDesignatedHitter(DH)areused.Teamscanplaya
maximumofnine(9)playersondefense.NOTE:Teamswillbeallowedtostartwith8playerswiththe9th
spotinthebattingorderbeinganout.Ifthe9thplayershowsup,he/shecanbeimmediatelyinsertedinto
the9thspotinthebattingorder.AllteamsthatareplayinginFreedomSportseventshavetherighttosee
theofficiallylineupcardbeforethegameaftereachteamhasfilleditout.NOTE:Lineupcardsmustbefilled
outandhandedovertothehomeplateumpirepriortothestartofthegame.Thelineupcardshallcontain
firstandlastnameandplayernumber.EXCEPTION:TheBlue(lower)divisionmaystartagamewiththe
minimumofeightplayerstothemaximumof14playersintheirlineup.Players10,11,12,13and14shallbe
consideredfour(4)extraplayersand1designatedhitter.
A.Thedesignatedpositionsare:Pitcher,Catcher,FirstBaseman,SecondBaseman,ThirdBaseman,
ShortStop,LeftFielder,CenterFielder,RightFielder,DesignatedHitter,andAdditionalPlayersorExtra
Players.
B.Alldesignatedsubstitutesshallbelistedintheappropriatespotonthelineupcardbyfirstname,
lastnameandnumber.
C.Acoachmustannouncetotheumpireifasubstitutionshallenterthegame.Anyannouncement
notmadetotheumpireofasubstitutionshallbeinviolationofthere-entryrule.Theillegalplayershallbe
declaredout,ejectedfromthegameandtheteamandcoachwarned.Anyfurtherviolationswillresultin
ejectionoftheillegalplayerandcoachfromthegame.
D.Anyplayercanbesubstitutedfromtheline-upandre-enteredonceinagame,butmustre-enter
intheoriginalbattingposition.Anyteaminviolationofthere-entryrule,theillegalplayershallbe
declaredout,ejectedfromthegameandtheteamandcoachwarned.Anyfurtherviolationwillresultin
ejectionoftheillegalplayerandcoachfromthegame.
E.Ifateamisleftwithavacantspotintheirlineupduetoaplayerbeingejected,thenanoutwillbe
declaredwhenthatvacantspotoccursinthebattingorder.Ateammaywalkabatterinorderforthe
vacantspottooccurandreceiveanautomaticout.
F.Asubstituteshallbeofficiallydeclaredinthegamewhen:
1.Thesubstitutestepsintothebatter’sboxandapitchismade.
2.Thesubstitutesstepsontothefieldintoafielding/defensivepositionandapitchismade.
3.Thesubstitutereplacesarunneronabaseandapitchismade.
Sec2.ILLEGALSUBSTITUTION.Anappealtotheumpiremustbemadebytheopposingteamatanytime
duringthegame.Anumpirecannotdeclareanillegalsubstitutionviolationuntilaplayerisofficiallyinthe
game.Asaresult,anychangecanbecorrected.
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A.Anillegalsubstitutionmustbedeclaredpriorto:
1.Thenextpitchedballforanoffensiveillegalsubstitution.
2.Thenextpitchedballorbeforethedefensiveteamandumpirehaveleftthefieldforan
illegaldefensivesubstitution.
a.Ifanumpiredeclaresanoffensiveillegalsubstitutionviolation,theplayershallbe
declaredout,ejectedfromthegameandallotherrunnersmustreturntopreviousoccupiedbase.Anyouts
madeduringtheplayshallstand.
b.Ifanumpiredeclaresadefensiveillegalsubstitutionviolation,theoffensiveteam
shallhavetheoptiontoreplaythepitchorlettheplaystandandtheillegalplayershallbeejectedfromthe
game.
Sec3.DESIGNATEDHITTER.Ifadesignatedhitter(DH)isusedtheplayer’snameshallbeplacedinthe
properbattingpositionwiththeDHastheplayer’sposition.TheplayerthattheDHreplacesinthelineup
shallbedesignatedandlabeledthe“defensiveplayer”andshallbeplacedinthepropersubstitutionboxin
thelineupcard.
A.Thedesignatedhittermaybeusedforanyplayerinthelineupandforall subsequentsubstitutesforthatplayer.
B.Adesignatedhittermustbechosenpriortothestartofthegame.Adesignated hitterisnotmandatory.
C.Apinchbattermaybeusedforthedesignatedhitterandthesaidplayershallbecomethenew
designatedhitterandbatsinthesamepositioninthelineup.Thepreviousdesignatedhittermayre-enter
underthere-entryrule.
D.Adesignatedhitterisnegatedwhenthedefensiveplayerforwhomthe(DH)isusedbatsor
pinchhitsforthedesignatedhitterorwhenanydesignatedhitterassumesadefensiveposition.
Sec4.EXTRAPLAYER.Ifextraplayer(s)(EP)isusedtheplayer'snameshallbeplacedintheproper
battingpositionwiththelabelEPastheplayer'sposition.
A.Anextraplayermustbechosenpriortothestartofthegame.Anextraplayer
isnotmandatory.
B.Anextraplayermayplaydefenseaslongastheiroriginalpositioninthebattinglineupremains
thesameandtheirstatusshallremainthesame.
C.Anextraplayermaybesubstitutedforwiththenewsubstitutebecomingtheextraplayer.The
substituteshallbeaplayerthathasnotplayedinthegame.There-entryrulemustbefollowedifanextra
playerissubstituted.
Sec5.REMOVALOFPLAYER.Whenateamisleftwithavacantspotinthelineup,regardlessofcause,and
thereisnosubstituteavailable,anoutshallbedeclaredeachtimethevacantspotisduetobat.Ifthevacant
spotisduetoinjuryandthereisnosubstituteavailable,theopposingcoachshallhaveattheirsolechoice,
theoptiontorequestthatanoutbedeclaredeachtimethevacantspotisduetobatORtoallowthelineup
tobecompressed,thusremovingtheinjuredplayerpermanentlyfromthegameandlineupandwithnoout
beingdeclared.Ateamcannotfinishagamewithlessthan(8)playerssothecoachshallhavenodecision
shouldtheopposingteamonlyhave(7)playersremaining.
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RULE6.BASERUNNING
Sec1.Abaserunnershalltouchthebasesintheorderoffirst(1st)base,second(2nd)base,third (3rd)baseandthenhomeplate.
Sec2.Basestealingispermitted.Arunnershallstealabase:
A.Afterapitchedballleavesthepitchershand.
B.Whenthepitchernolongerhascontroloftheballwithinthe16-footcircle.
Sec3.Notwobaserunnersshalloccupyonebase.Thefirstlegalbaserunnertooccupythebase shallbecalledsafeandtheotherbaserunnershallbecalledout.
Sec4.Battermaybecomearunnerifstrikethree(3)iscalledandthecatcherdropstheball.Anexception
iswhenanotherrunnerisoccupyingfirstbase;thebattercannotadvanceandshallbecalledout.
Sec5.Allawardedbasesmustbetouchedbyarunner.
Sec6.Adeadballshallbedeclaredandeachrunnerincludingthebatter-runnershallbeawarded:
A.Onebasewhen:
1.Apitchedballgoesintodeadballterritoryorlodgesintoanumpireor catcher’sequipment.
2.Ifapitcherpitchesanillegalpitch.
3.Iflessthantwo(2)outs,adefensiveplayercatchesaballandthen
comesintocontactwithdeadballterritorywithbothfeet.
4.Whenanydefensiveplayerobstructsabatterortouchesthebatin
ordertoreachapitchedball.
5.Ifadefensiveplayeronatagcausesaballtogointodeadballterritory.
B.Twobaseswhen:
1.Afair-battedballisblockedfrombouncingoverorgoingthroughafenceandbecomes
dead.
2.Adefensiveplayerthrows,holdsorkicksanillegalmitt/gloveor.detachedplayer’s
equipmentatalivepitchedorthrownball.
3.Adefensiveplayerintentionallythrowsaliveballintodeadballterritory.
Note:Iftworunnersarebetweenthesamebases,theleadrunnershallbeawardedthetwo
(2)basesandthesecondrunnershallbeawardedone(1)base.
C.Threebaseswhen:
1.Adefensiveplayerthrows,holdsorkicksanillegalmitt/gloveordetachedplayer’s
equipmentatafair-battedball.
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D.Fourbaseswhen:
1.Afair-battedballgoesoverthefenceintheairbetweenthetwo(2)foulpoles.
2.Afair-battedballcomesintocontactintheairwithafoulpole.
3.Adefensiveplayerthrows,holdsorkicksanillegalmitt/gloveordetachedplayer’s
equipmentatafair-battedballandpreventstheballfromgoingoverthefenceintheairbetween
thetwo(2)foulpoles.
4.Aspectatorpreventsafair-battedballfromgoingoverthefenceinthe airbetweenthetwo(2)foulpoles.
Sec7.Whenathrownorbattedballcomesintocontactwithanyspectator,theballshallbedeclareddead
andinterferenceshallbecalled.Theumpireshallhavebasedonhis/herjudgmentawardorpenalizeteams
inordertocorrecttheinterference.
Sec8.Arunneriscalledoutwhen:
A.Whenrunningtoanybaseinregularorreverseorderandtherunnerrunsoutofthebasepathto
avoidbeingtouchedbytheballinthehand(s)ofthefielder.
B.Whentheballisinplayandtherunnerisnotincontactwithabase,andislegallytouchedwith
theballinthehand(s)ofafielder
C.When,onaforceplay,afieldercontactsthebasewhileholdingtheball,touchestheballtothe
baseortagstherunnerbeforetherunnerreachesthebase
D.Whentherunnerfailstoreturntotouchthebasepreviouslyoccupiedormissedandisproperly
appealed.
E.Whentherunnerphysicallypassestheleadrunnerbeforethatrunnerhasbeenputout.EFFECT:
Theballisinplayandtherunnerisout.
F.Whentherunnerleavesthebasetoadvancetoanotherbasebeforeacaughtflyballhastouched
afielder,providedtheballisreturnedtothatbaseandisproperlyappealed.
G.Whentherunnerfailstotouchtheinterveningbaseorbasesinregularorreverseorderandthe
ballisreturnedtothatbaseandisproperlyappealed.
H.Whenthebatter-runnerlegallyoverrunsfirstbase,attemptstoruntosecondandislegally
touchedwhileoffthebase.
I.Whenrunningorslidingforhomeplate,andtherunnerfailstotouchit,makesnoattemptto
returntoit,andafielderwhiletouchingtheplate,properlyappealstotheofficialforadecision.
J.Whentherunnerinterfereswithafielderattemptingtofieldabattledball,interfereswitha
fielderattemptingtothrowaball,orintentionallyinterfereswithathrownball.Ifthisinterference,inthe
judgmentoftheofficial,isanobviousattempttopreventadoubleplayandoccursbeforetherunnerisput
out,theimmediatesucceedingrunnerwillalsobecalledout.
K.Whentherunnerisstruckwithafairuntouchedbattedballwhilenotincontactwiththebase,
andtherunnerisstruckpriortotheballpassinganinfielder,excludingthepitcher:EFFECT:Theballis
dead,runnerisoutforinterferenceandthebatterisawarded1st base.Allotherrunnersmayadvanceone
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baseiftheyarepushed.Example:Runnerson1stand3rd,abattedballstrikestherunneron3rdbasewhile
notincontactwiththebase.Batterwillgetfirstbaseawardedandpushtherunnerfromfirsttosecond.The
runneron3rdbaseisout.
L.Whenabaserunnerleavesthebasetoadvancetothenextbasebeforeaflyballhasbeentouched
ortouchessomeobject,providedthatiftheballiscaughtandlegallyheldonthebaseleft,orafielder
touchestherunnerwiththeballbeforetherunnerreturnstotouchtheoriginalbase.
M.Whenabatter-runnerfailstotouchaninterveningbaseorbasesinregularorreverseorder
whiletheballisinplay,andtheballislegallyheldonthemissedbase,ortherunneristouchedwiththe
ballwhileoffthebase.
N.Whenthebase-runnerjumpsoveradefensiveplayertoavoidatagNOTE:IFthebaserunner’s
feetgooverkneehigh,orifthedefensiveplayeriskneeling,andthebaserunner’sfeetgoabovethewaist.The
base-runnerisout,andmaybeejectedfromthegame.
O.Whentherunnerintentionallykicksaballwhichaninfielderhasmissed.
P.Whenanyone,otherthananotherrunner,physicallyassiststherunnerwhiletheballisinplay.If
theassistanceoccurspriortoacaught,battedflyball,regardlessofwhethertheballisfairorfoul,a
delayeddeadballcallwillbemade,afterwhichtherunnerwillbedeclaredout.EFFECT:Theballisdeadif
notcaught.Ifafairball,awardthebatter-runnerone(1)base,andifafoulballthebatterwillbatagain.This
includeshomerun.
Q.Whenthecoachnearthirdbaserunsinthedirectionofhomeplateonornearthethirdbaseline
whileafielderisattemptingtomakeaplayonabattedorthrownball,andtherebydrawsathrowtohome
plate.Therunnerclosesttohomewillbedeclaredout.
R.Whenoneormoremembersoftheoffensiveteamstandorcollectaroundabasetowhicha
runnerisadvancingtherebyconfusingthefielderandaddingtothedifficultofmakingtheplay.NOTE:
Membersoftheteamincludeabatboyoranyotherpeopleauthorizedtositontheteam’sbench.
S.Whenacoachintentionallyinterfereswiththedefensiveteam’sopportunitytomakeaplayona
runner.Therunnerclosesttohomeplateatthetimeoftheinterferenceshallbedeclaredout.EFFECT:The
ballisdeadandtherunnerisout.Eachotherrunnermustreturntothelastbaselegallytouchedatthetimeof
theinterference.
T.When,afterbeingdeclaredoutorafterscoring,arunnerinterfereswithadefensiveplayer’s
opportunitytomakeplayonanotherrunner.EFFECT:Therunnerclosesttohomeplateatthetimeofthe
interferenceshallbedeclaredout.
U.Whenadefensiveplayerhastheball,andtherunnerremainsontheirfeetanddeliberately,with
greatforce,crashesintothedefensiveplayerwithintenttocauseharm.EFFECT:Therunnerisoutand
ejectedfromthegame,theballisdeadandeachrunnermustreturntothelastbasetouchedatthetimeofthe
interference.
V.Whentherunnerfailstokeepcontactwiththebasetowhichtherunnerisentitleduntila
pitchedballtouchestheground,passeshomeplateorisbatted.Standingonthesafetyordoublebagatfirst
isdefinedasstandingoffthebag.EFFECT:theballisdead;therunnerisout.
W.Whentherunnerabandonsabaseandenterstheteams’areaorleavesthefieldofplay.
X.Ifabaserunnerdoesnotreturntothebaseandbeincontactwiththebaseatthetimeofthe
pitcherreleasesalegallypitchedballtothebatter.
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Y.Whenarunnerstandsmotionlessinabasepathwhenthepitcherhascontrolovertheballinthe
16-footcircle.
Z.Whenabaserunnerisnotincontactwiththebaseandapitchedballleavesthepitcherhand.
Sec.8Therunnerissafewhen:
A.Whentherunnerisstruckwithafairuntouchedbattedballwhileincontactwiththebase.
EFFECT:Theballisdeadandthebatterisawarded1stbase.
B.Ifrunnerisstillincontactwithbagwhenstrucktherunnerwillbedeemedsafeandthebatteris
awardedasingle,allotherrunnersmayadvanceonebaseiftheyarepushed.i.e.Runnerson1stand3rd,a
battedballstrikestherunneronfirstbasewhileincontactwiththebase.Batterwillgetfirstbaseawarded
andpushtherunnerfromfirsttosecond.Therunneronthirdwillremainat3rd base.
C.Whenafielderwithouttheballobstructsarunnerbyfakingatag.Eachrunneraffectedbythe
obstructionshallbeawardedthebasetheywouldhavereachedperumpire’sjudgment.
Sec9.FREEDOMRUNNER/PINCHRUNNER.One“FREEDOM”Runnerperteamshallbedesignatedatthe
coinflip.AFREEDOMRunnercanbeanyplayerontheroster,regardlessofiftheyareinthelineupornot.
Note:TheyareFREEtorunanunlimitednumberoftimesperinning/game.Ifateamoptstodesignatea
FreedomRunnerthatisintheofficiallineup,andtheFreedomRunnergetscaughtonbaseduringtheirturnto
bat,anoutshallbedeclaredandtheFreedomRunnershallberemovedfromthebasetotaketheirturnatbat.
AteamdoesnothavetheoptionofsubstitutingtheFreedomRunnertoavoidanoutbeingdeclared.Ifateam
doesnotdeclareaFreedomRunner,thentheywillforfeittheirrighttoanycourtesyrunnersunlessanactual
substitutionhasbeenmade.
RULE7.PITCHING
Sec1.Apitchershallpositionherselfwiththenon-pivotfootincontactwithorbehindthepitcher'srubber
andthepivotfootonorpartiallyonthesurfaceofthepitchingrubber.Thepitcher'shandsshallstartapart
fromeachother.Theballmayeitherbeinthepitcher'shandorinthepitcher'sglove.Thenthepitcher
mustbringthehandstogetherforaminimumoftwo(2)secondsandnomorethanten(10)secondsprior
tostartingthepitchingwindup.
Sec2.Apitcherisconsideredofficiallyintheirpitchingmotionwhenafterpausingforthedesiredtime
limittheystarttheirwindup.
A.Thepivotfootshallremainincontactwiththepitchingrubberuntiltheballis releasedfromthepitcher'shand.
B.Thepitchershallnotstoporreverseanyforwardmotion.
C.Thepitchershallnotmakenomorethanonerevolutionofthearminthewindup.
D.Thepitcher'shandsmustbebelowthehips.
E.Thepitcherwhostopsorfakesthepitchingmotionshallhaveadeadballcalledbytheumpire
andaballissuedtothebatter.
F.Thepitchingwindupmustbecontinuous.
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G.Thepitchershallnotbounce,droporrolltheballtothebatter.Anillegalpitchshallbecalledand
aballshallbeissued.Thepitchershallbewarnedandanyfurtherinstancesshallresultinthe
removalofthepitcher.
Sec3.Thepitchingwindupmustbemadeunderhand.
Sec4.Thepitchershallnothaveanymarkingsordrawingsonthepitchinghand,gloveoronthepitcher's
hips/thighsthatmaybedistractingtothebatter.
A.Thepitcheroraydefensiveplayerorcoachshallnotapplyanyforeignsubstancetotheballin
ordertoenhanceordefacetheball.
Sec5.Powderresinmaybeusedbyanypitchertodrythepitchinghand.
Sec6.Apitchershallbeallowedthree(3)warm-uppitchesatthebeginningofeachinning.
Sec7.Thecatchershallreturntheballtothepitcheraftereachpitchexceptonstrikethree,onaplaymade
bythecatcher,ortomakeaplayonarunner.
Sec8.Thepitchershallhavetwenty(20)secondstopitchtheballoncetheballhasbeenreturnedtothe
pitcher.
Sec9.Nopitchshallbecalledwhen:
A.Theballcomesoutofthepitcher'shandduringthewindup.
B.Afoulballhasbeencalledandthebaserunnerhasnotreturnedtothebasepriortothepitch.
C.Abaserunnerhaslefttheoccupiedbasetooearly.
RULE8.BATTING
Sec1.Eachbattershallbatintheorderinwhicheachplayer'snameappearsonthelineupcard.
A.Theordershallbefollowedfortheentiregameexceptwhensubstitutions
havebeenmadeandhavefollowedthesubstitutionrules.
Sec2.Ifbatterimproperlybatsoutoforderandisdiscoveredpriortothatbattercompletingaturnatbat,
timemaybecalledandtheproperbatterplaceduptobatandassumestheimproperbatterspitchcount.
Sec3.Whenaplayerbatsoutoforderandcompletesaturnatbat,anoutshallbedeclaredonappealofthe
opposingteam.
A.Ifadefensiveteamappealstotheumpirepriortothenextpitchorbeforethedefensiveteam
leavingthefieldofanimproperbatterwhohasbecomearunnerorhasbeenputout,theumpireshall
declaretheproperbatteroutandallrunnersmustreturntopreviousoccupiedbasepriortothepitch.Any
outsmadeonthepaystand.
B.Ifnoappealismadepriortothenextpitchorifthedefensiveteamhasleftthefieldattheendof
thehalfinning,thentheimproperbatterbecomestheproperbatterandthatturnatbatbecomeslegal.The
battingordershallthancontinuewiththenameoftheplayerthatfollowsthatofthenowlegalimproper
batter.
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Sec4.Abattershallhaveten(10)secondstostepintoproperpositioninthebatter’sboxoncetheumpire
states"playball"orrequestsforabatter,astrikeshallbecalled.
Sec5.Abattershallhavebothfeetinthebatter’sboxwhenmakingcontactwithapitchedball.Ifanyfootis
completelyoutofthebatter’sboxoristouchinghomeplate,adeadballshallbecalledandthebattershall
becalledout.
Sec6.Abattershallnotinterferewithacatcherwhoisattemptingtomakeaplayorthrow.Ifan
interferenceoccursduetothebatterimproperlynotmakinganattempttomoveoutofthewayofthe
catcherwhoisattemptingtomakeaplayorthrow,thenanyrunnerunsuccessfullyputout,thebatteris
declaredoutandtherunnershallreturntothepreviouslyoccupiedbase.Iftherearetwooutsintheinning,
thenthebattershallbedeclaredout.
Sec7.ABATTERISCALLEDOUTWHEN:
A.Athirdstrikeiscalledoriscaught.
1.Abatterswingsatathirdstrikeandtheballhitsthebatter.
B.Abatterintentionallyhitsabattedballforasecondtimeandnorunnersshalladvance.
C.Abatterattemptstobunttheballwithtwostrikesandtheballlandsinfoulterritory.
D.Abattedballiscaughtintheaireitherinfairorfoulterritorybyadefensiveplayer.
E.Ifabattedballishitintheairinfairterritoryintheinfieldandtheinfieldflyruleisineffect.
F.Ifabatterstepsintothebatter’sboxwithanillegalbat.
G.Adefensiveplayerintentionallydropsaflyballorlinedrivewithrunnersoccupyingbases.A
deadballshallbedeclaredandthebattershallbeoutandthebaserunnersshallreturntoprevious
occupiedbase.
H.Abatterstepsoutofthebatter’sboxandhitsapitchedball.
Sec8.ABATTERISNOTCALLEDOUTWHEN:
A.Abatterstrikesoutandthecatcherdropstheball.Firstbasemustnotbe occupied.
RULE9.APPEALS
Sec1.Duringadeadballappeal,thepitchershallannouncewhichrunnerandwhichbasethatis beingappealed.Adefensiveteamisonlyallowedone(1)appealperrunner.
RULE10.PROTESTS
Sec1.TYPESOFPROTEST.
A.Misinterpretationofaplayingrule–mustbemadebeforethenextpitchorifonthelastplayof
thegame,beforetheOfficial(s)leavetheplayingfield.
B.IllegalSubstituteorre-entry–mustbemadewhiletheyareinthegame,andbeforethe
Official(s)leavetheplayingfield.
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C.IneligiblePlayer–canbemadeanytimeduringthegame.Protestedplayersmustproduceabirth
certificate.Shouldtheprotestedplayerorcoachnotbeabletoproducecertificate,theprotestshallbe
upheld.
D.Protestofnonapprovedoralteredequipment.NOTE:Teammustpayprotestfeetothe
umpireandtheshowtheumpiretheequipmentinquestionforhim/hertotaketothedirector
withtheprotestfee.Thismustbedoneduringgameplaynotafterthegamehasfinished,orwhenthe
Official(s)leavetheplayingfield.
NOTE:Protestswillnotbeconsideredoracceptediftheyarebasedsolelyonadecisionontheaccuracyofa
judgmentcallbyanOfficial.
Sec2.PROTESTPROCEDURE.
A.ThecoachoractingmanageroftheprotestingteamshallimmediatelynotifytheplateOfficial
thatthegameisbeingplayedunderprotest.TheOfficialshallthennotifytheopposingmanagerand
TournamentDirector.
B.BothteammanagersandtheOfficialshallrecordtheinformation,details,andconditions
surroundingtheprotest.
C.A$50.00Cashprotestfeemustbeputupbytheprotestingteam.Saidfeewillbeimmediately
returnedifprotestisupheld.
Sec3.PROTESTDECISION.Shallresultinoneofthefollowing:
A.Theprotestisdeterminedtobeinvalid.Thegamestandsasplayed.
B.Whenaprotestisfoundtobevalidduetoamisinterpretationofaplayingrule,thedecisionwill
becorrected,andthegameshallbereplayedfromthepointatwhichtheincorrectdecisionwasmade.
C.Whenaprotestforineligibilityisdeterminedtobevalid,theoffendingteamshallforfeitthe
gamebeingplayed.
RULE11.CONDUCT
Sec1.UNSPORTSMANLIKECONDUCT–Anyverbalactionbyteammembers,coach,orparentsmade
towardsofficials,membersoftheopposingteam,orspectatorsasdeemedas“Unsportsmanlike”byany
FreedomOfficial,shallbegroundsforanimmediateejectionandsuspensionforONEadditionalgame.Any
physicalactionshallresultintheMINIMUMofanimmediateONE-yearsuspensionfromallFreedom
sanctionedevents.NOTE:FreedomSportsAssociationreservestherighttoreciprocateanysuspension(s)
thataplayermayreceivefromothersportsassociationsincludingbutnotlimitedtoASA,ISA,NSA,PONYand
USSSA.
RULE12.UMPIRE
Sec1.TheumpireshallbetheOfficial(s)appointedtoofficiateeachFreedomSportsAssociationgame.The
umpiresaretherepresentativesoftheleagueororganizationfortheparticulargamethattheyhavebeen
assigned.Theyareauthorizedandrequiredtoenforcetherulescontainedinthisbook.Theumpireshave
thepowertoorderaplayer,coach,captain,ormanagertodoorrefrainfromdoing,anyactthatis
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necessarytoenforceanyoftheserules;andtoinflictanypenaltiesprescribed.Theplateumpireshallhave
theauthoritytoruleonanysituationnotspecificallycoveredintheserules.NOTE:Anumpireshallnotbea
memberofeitherteam(i.e.player,coach,officerscorekeeper,orsponsor.)
Sec2.AllFreedomSportsAssociationUmpiresmustberegisteredandhaveavalidumpireI.D.number,
priortoofficiatinganyFreedomSportssanctionedgame.
Sec3.TheUmpireuniformshallconsistof:
A.TheofficialroyalblueFreedomPolostyleshirt.
B.TheofficialFreedomshortbillumpireshat,blackslacksorsolidblackshorts
C.Blackbelt,blacksocks,blackballbag(optional)andblackshoes.
D.Audibletimerclickerandbrush.
E.Chestprotector
NOTE:Slacksdonotincludejeans,sweatpants,joggingpants,orotherpantsorslacksthatwouldnot
beconsideredadressslack.
RULE13.8&UUNDERRULES
Sec1.AllFreedomrulesshallapplyexpectspecifiedbelow.
Sec2.All8&underplayerswhoplaytheinfieldmustwearafieldingmaskormouthguard.
Sec.3CoachPitchRules(Blue(Lower)Division)
A.Anycoach18yearsoroldermaybedesignatedastheteam’spitcher.
B.Acoachshallnotbeallowedtofieldanyballswhenpitching.
1.Anybattedballthatcomeintocontactorhitsacoachthatispitchingshallbedeclareda
deadballandthebattershallbeawardedfirstbaseandallrunnersallowedtoadvanceone(1)basefrom
previouslyoccupiedbase.
C.Nine(9)defensiveplayersshallbeallowedontheplayingfield.Ateammayplacesix(6)fielders
intheinfieldincludingacatcherandthree(3)fieldersintheoutfieldorfive(5)fieldersintheinfield
includingacatcherandfour(4)fieldersintheoutfield.
D.Allplayersonarostershallbatinorder.
E.Eachbattershallgetthree(5)pitches.Ifabatterdoesnothitafairballorstrikeoutafter
receivingthemaximumthree(5)pitches,thenthebattershallbedeclaredout.
F.Gamesshallhaveatimelimitofonehourandtwentyminutes.
G.Amaximumofeight(8)runsperhalfinningor3threeouts.Onceeitherhasbeenobtainedthe
halfinningshallbedeclaredover.
H.AnEleven(11)inchopticballshallbeusedwitha“47MAXCOR,375MAXCOMPRESSION”.See
Rule3.Sec4.forcompletespecifications.
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Sec4.CoachPitchRules(White(Upper)Division).
A.Anycoach18yearsoroldermaybedesignatedastheteam’spitcher.
B.Acoachshallnotbeallowedtofieldanyballswhenpitching.
1.Anybattedballthatcomeintocontactorhitsacoachthatispitchingshallbedeclareda
deadballandthebattershallbeawardedfirstbaseandallrunnersallowedtoadvanceone(1)basefrom
previouslyoccupiedbase.
C.Nine(9)defensiveplayersshallbeallowedontheplayingfield.Ateammayplacesix(6)fielders
intheinfieldincludingacatcherandthree(3)fieldersintheoutfieldorfive(5)fieldersintheinfield
includingacatcherandfour(4)fieldersintheoutfield.
D.Allplayersonarostershallbatinorder.
E.Eachbattershallgetfive(5)pitches.Ifabatterdoesnothitafairballorstrikeoutafterreceiving
themaximumfive(5)pitches,thenthebattershallbedeclaredout.Playersmaywalk.
F.Gamesshallhaveatimelimitofonehourandtwentyminutes.
G.Amaximumofnine(9)runsperhalfinningor3threeouts.Onceeitherhasbeenobtainedthe
halfinningshallbedeclaredover.
H.Pitchingdistanceshallbe40feet.
I.AnEleven(11)inchballshallbeusedwitha“47MAXCOR,375MAXCOMPRESSION”.SeeRule3.
Sec4.forcompletespecifications.
Sec5.PlayerPitchRules(Red(Elite)Division).
A.Nine(9)defensiveplayersshallbeallowedontheplayingfield.Ateammayplacesix(6)
fieldersintheinfieldincludingacatcherandthree(3)fieldersintheoutfieldorfive(5)
fieldersintheinfieldincludingacatcherandfour(4)fieldersintheoutfield.
B.Allplayersonarostershallbatinorder.
C.Eachbattershallgetfive(5)pitches.Ifabatterdoesnothitafairballorstrikeoutafter
receivingthemaximumfive(5)pitches,thenthebattershallbedeclaredout.Playersmay
walk.
D.Gamesshallhaveatimelimitofonehourandtwentyminutes.
E.Amaximumoften(10)runsperhalfinningor3threeouts.Onceeitherhasbeen
obtainedthehalfinningshallbedeclaredover.
F.Pitchingdistanceshallbe40feet.
G.AnEleven(11)inchballshallbeusedwitha“47MAXCOR,375MAXCOMPRESSION”.See
Rule3.Sec4.forcompletespecifications.
RULE14.10&UUNDERRULES
Sec1.AllFreedomrulesshallapplyexpectspecifiedbelow.
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Sec2.AnEleven(11)inchballshallbeusedwitha“47MAXCOR,375MAXCOMPRESSION”.SeeRule3.Sec
4.forcompletespecifications.
Sec3.Pitchingdistanceshallbe40feet.
RULE15.WORLDSERIESRULES
Sec1.FREEDOM“WORLDS”-Teamsthatfinishinthetop3oftheirrespectivedivisionsateachofthe
followingevents:
1RegionalChampionships
2.StateChampionships
3.SpecialWorldSeriesqualifiers
ShallreceiveaberthtoFREEDOM“WORLDSERIES”,tobeheldatadateandplacetobedetermined.1st
placeteamsshallreceivePAIDBerthswhile2nd place,3rd place,andpassdownberthsshallbeNON-PAID
Berths.18&UnderRed(Elite)Divisionand16&UnderRed(Elite)DivisionshallreceiveCHAMPIONSHIP
RINGS.AllotherdivisionsshallreceiveCHAMPIONSHIPBRACELETS.Teamswinningsaidberths,shallhave
10daystoconfirmberthbypayingentryfeetoFreedomNationalOffice.TeamswithPaidBerthsshallhave
entireentryfeereturneduponcompletionoffirstgameatWORLDSERIES.
RULE15.INSURANCE
Sec1.Allteamsmustprovideteaminsuranceatthetimeofteamregistration.Anyteamwithout
insuranceshallnotbeallowedtoplayinanyFreedomSportsAssociationevent.
Sec2.TeamsmaypurchaseinsuranceontheirownorpurchaseinsurancefromFreedomSports
Associationviacurrentinsuranceagency.
COMMUNICABLEDISEASEPROCEDURES
WhileriskofoneathleteinfectinganotherwithHIV/AIDSduringcompetitionisclosetonon-existentthere
isaremoteriskthatotherbloodborneinfectiousdiseasescanbetransmitted.Forexample,HepatitisBcan
bepresentinbloodaswellasinotherbodyfluids.Proceduresforreducingthepotentialfortransmission
oftheseinfectiousagentsshouldnotbelimitedtothefollowing:
1.Thebleedingmustbestopped,theopenwoundcovered,andifthereisanexcessiveamountofbloodon
theuniform,itmustbechangedbeforetheathletemayparticipate.
2.Routineuseofglovesorotherprecautionstopreventskinandmucousmembraneexposurewhen
contactwithbloodorotherbodyfluidsisanticipated.
3.Immediatelywashhandsandotherskinsurfacesifcontaminated(incontact)withbloodorotherbody
fluids.Washhandsimmediatelyafterremovinggloves.
4.Cleanallbloodcontaminatedsurfacesandequipmentwithasolutionmadefromproperdilutionof
householdbleach(CDCrecommends1-100)orotherdisinfectantsbeforecompetitionresumes.
5.Practiceproperdisposalprocedurestopreventinjuriescausedbyneedles,scalpels,andothersharp
instrumentsordevices.
6.AlthoughsalivahasnotbeenimplicatedinHIVtransmission,tominimizetheneedforemergencymouthto-mouthresuscitation,mouthpieces,resuscitationbagsorotherventilationdevicesshouldbeavailablefor
use.
7.Athletictrainers/coacheswithbleedingoroozingskinconditionsshouldrefrainfromalldirectathletic
careuntiltheconditionisresolved.
8.Contaminatedtowelsshouldbeproperlydisposedof/disinfected.
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9.Followacceptableguidelinesintheimmediatecontrolofbleedingandwhenhandlingbloodydressings,
mouthguards,andotherarticlescontainingbodyfluids.
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