MONMOUTH COUNTY CO-ED SOFTBALL LEAGUE

RULES & REGULATIONS (2011 SEASON)

 

1.      Games are scheduled to be played on Fridays at 6:05PM; forfeit time is 6:20PM.  If a team knows in advance that they cannot play on any given Friday, they will forfeit the game unless both teams agree to make it up WITHIN 2 WEEKS.  It will be up to both team captains to decide on a makeup date.  The league president must be notified by email AND phone of any cancellations no later than noon Thursday so that the umpire can be notified in a timely manner.  If both teams agree to make up the game, the league president must be notified of the new date at least 5 days before the game.  Keep in mind that the team receiving the forfeit win is not required to make up the game.  It is only an option.  However, teams are encouraged to make up games whenever possible.

 

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 and both teams will get a loss unless both teams agree to play on another date WITHIN 2 WEEKS.  In this case, the two 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). 

 

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.  Baserunners advance only when forced.  Same rule applies with 2 outs except the next batter (female) has the option to either bat or take a walk (first base).

 

5.      All batters will start with a 0-0 count.  If a male batter hits a foul ball with 2 strikes, he is out.  Female batters are allowed unlimited fouls.

 

6.      Games are 7 innings.  In case of rain, games are official after 4 innings (or after completion of the top of the 4^th inning when the home team is ahead).  Games postponed because of weather will not be rescheduled.

 

7.      Stealing and bunting are not permitted.

 

8.      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.

 

9.      Metal spikes are not allowed.

 

10.    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. 

 

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

 

12.    Each team is allowed to use 2 substitute runners per game.  Substitute runners must be of the same gender.  The substitute runner must be the previous batter in the lineup.  If that person is currently on base, the next available person in the lineup shall be used. 

 

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

 

14.    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. 

 

15.    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. 

 

16.    All softballs must be DeBeers Clincher F12.   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.

 

17.    Sliding is permitted; barreling is not permitted.

 

18.    All bats must have the official ASA stamp.  Bats on the ASA banned bats list shall not be used.  The umpire has final authority to ban any bat he deems to be illegal.

 

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

 

20.    The first round of playoffs will begin the Friday after the last regular season game.  The top 4 teams will play.  Matchups will be based on seedings (1 vs 4, 2 vs 3).  The winners advance to the final round.  Both rounds are one game each.

 

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

 

22.    The winning team shall report the results of each game as soon as possible but no later than Monday morning.  Results should be emailed to mccsl@optonline.net or Michael.bernicker@us.army.mil.

 

23.  A team that has less than 5 female players is allowed to use a male player as a   

      “designated catcher”.  The designated catcher is only allowed to throw pitched balls back

        to the pitcher.  He cannot be involved in any plays on the field. 

 

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 trash shall be left behind.  This includes water/juice bottles.