MONMOUTH COUNTY CO-ED SOFTBALL LEAGUE

RULES & REGULATIONS (2007 SEASON)

 

1.      Games are scheduled to be played on Fridays at 6:15PM; forfeit time is 6:30PM.  If a team cannot play on any given Friday, they will forfeit the game unless the other team agrees to make it up on another date.   It would be up to both team captains to decide on a makeup date.  The league president must be notified at least 72 hours in advance of any cancellations so that the umpire can be cancelled in a timely manner.

 

2.      If a team cannot field enough players on game night, it will result in a forfeit win for the other team.  The team receiving the forfeit will get credit for a 7-0 win.  If both teams are short players at game time, the game will be cancelled unless both teams agree to play on another date.  In this case, the 2 teams will be responsible for covering the cost of the umpire. 

 

3.      Each team may field up to 10 players with a maximum 5 males.  There is no limit on the number of females.  The batting order shall be such that 2 males do not bat consecutively.  A minimum of 8 players is required to start a game.  EXAMPLE: A team may play with 5 males and 3 females so long as the batting lineup is staggered so that 2 males do not bat consecutively.  There will be no automatic outs.  The positioning of players on the field is left to the discretion of each team.  In addition to the 10 fielders, each team is also allowed 2 designated hitters (one male, one female).  Designated hitters may be inserted into the lineup at any time, at the bottom of the batting order.

 

4.      If a male batter draws a walk with less than 2 outs, he is awarded 2^nd base and the next batter (female) must bat.  All baserunners advance 2 bases.  Same rule applies with 2 outs except the next batter (female) has the option to either bat or take a walk (first base).

 

5.      If a male batter hits a foul ball with 2 strikes, he is out.  Female batters are allowed unlimited fouls.

 

6.      Any changes or additions to the visitor list must be submitted by Monday morning in order to take effect that Friday.  No additional male players can be added after June 30.  Female players can be added until the last week of the season.  

 

7.      Games are 7 innings.  In case of rain, games are official after 5 innings (or after completion of the top of the 5^th inning when the home team is ahead).  Games postponed before the 5^th inning is completed must be rescheduled and played over from the beginning.

 

8.      Stealing and bunting are not permitted.

 

9.      Tagging up on fly balls is not permitted.  However, if a runner strays from the base on a fly ball that is caught, he can be thrown out.  The runner will not advance on an errant throw.

 

10.    Metal spikes are not allowed.

 

11.    Mercy Rule:  If a team is up by 20 or more runs after the completion of the 4th inning or by 15 or more after the 5^th or 6^th inning, the game is ended. 

 

12.    Base runners cannot leave the base until the batter makes contact with the ball.

 

13.    Each team is allowed to use 2 courtesy runners per game.    The courtesy runner must be the last available batter of the same gender.  Players who will need a pinch runner shall be identified to the umpire prior to reaching base.

 

14.    Slow pitch only.  Pitches shall be within a 6 to 12-foot arc.

 

15.    Ground rules regarding out-of-bounds limits shall be decided by the umpire and both team captains prior to the start of each game.  The team captains shall also explain to the umpire all the rules that are unique to our league.  A copy of these rules will be provided to each team captain.

 

16.    The home team is responsible for setting up the bases prior to each game.  The distance between bases shall be 65 feet.  The distance between the pitcher and home plate shall be 50 feet.  For safety purposes, a “double-base” will be used at first base.  The second base will be positioned in foul territory adjacent to the regular first base.  The batter shall use the right-side (foul) base while the first baseman uses the left-side (fair) base. 

 

17.    All softballs must be 12-inch Clincher’s (Model F-12).  The same softball shall be used for both male and female batters.  The home team shall provide one new ball to the umpire.  The visiting team shall provide a backup ball.  The backup ball should either be brand new or slightly used so long as it is acceptable to the umpire.

 

18.    Sliding is permitted; barreling is not permitted.

 

19.    Only aluminum bats are allowed.  Composite bats are not allowed, even if they have the ASA stamp on them.  The umpire has the authority to ban any bat he deems to be illegal.

 

20.    Players must be age 18 or older.  No exceptions!

 

21.    The first round of playoffs will begin the Friday after the last regular season game.  The top 8 teams will play.  Matchups will be based on seedings (1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5).  The winners advance to the second round.  The two winners of the second round will play each other for the league championship.  All rounds are one game.

 

22.    At the end of the regular season, tiebreakers shall be determined as follows: (1) Head-to head; (2) total runs scored; (3) coin toss.

 

23.    The winning team shall report the results of each game as soon as possible after the game.  Results should be emailed to <mccsl@optonline.net>. 

 

24.    All rules not covered here shall be in accordance with the official ASA rules governing co-ed softball.

 

25.    Alcohol is NOT allowed on Fort Monmouth.  Also, each team is responsible for cleaning up after the game.  No garbage shall be left behind.