U.S.S.S.A. SOFTBALL
MODIFIED PITCH
GENERAL PLAYING RULES
RULE
1 - DEFINITIONS
Sec. 1 ALTERED BAT: A bat is considered altered when
the physical structure of the legal bat has been changed. Examples
of altering a bat are replacing the handle of a metal bat with a wooden or
other type handle or inserting
material inside the bat. A flare or
cone grip is considered an altered bat.
Sec. 2 APPEAL PLAY: A play in which an umpire cannot
make a decision until requested by a manager, coach or player. The appeal must be made before the next legal
or illegal pitch or before all infielders (including the pitcher) have left the field ( crossed the
foul lines).
Sec. 3 BALL
ROTATION: A pitcher will have a choice of balls at the start of each half
inning with the exception that if both
balls do not get put into the first half of the first inning the pitcher in
the bottom of the first inning must pitch
the unused ball. After every third
out the ball in play must be returned to the sixteen foot circle. The pitcher now taking the field has a ball
to start the next half inning. Before throwing
becomes
blocked.
Sec. 4 BASE
PATH: The base path is an imaginary
line 3 feet on either side of a direct line between the bases.
Sec. 5 BASE RUNNERS: A player on the team at bat who has finished his batting turn and
has reached first, second or third base and has not yet been put out.
Sec. 6 BATTER HIT BY PITCH: A legal or illegally pitched ball that hits
the batter's person or clothing, provided that the batter does not strike
at the pitched ball and the batter makes an attempt to avoid the
pitched ball. The plate umpire
will award first base to the batter hit by the pitch.
Base runners will be advanced
one base if forced by the batter being awarded first base, provided the pitch
is not judged a strike by the umpire.
Sec. 7 BATTER-RUNNER: A player who has finished his turn at bat but
has not yet been put out or touched first base.
Sec. 8 BATTER'S
BOX: The area which the batter is
restricted to while in position to bat. The
batter must have both feet entirely within
the lines of the box prior to the pitch. The lines are considered to be within the
Sec. 9 BATTING ORDER: the batting order is the official lineup of
offensive players listing the order in which
team members must come to bat. A
lineup card must include each player's name and defensive position, the player's number must also be indicated. When used, the additional hitter and/or designated
hitter must be indicated on the lineup
card.
Sec. 10 BLOCKED
BALL: A live ball that is touched,
stopped or handled by a person not engaged in the game or
called
when a live ball hits a base coach unintentionally.
Sec. 11 BUNT: A bunt is a fair ball in which the batter does
not take a full swing to hit the ball, but holds the bat in such a manner in the path of the ball to tap
the ball slowly to the infield.
Sec. 12 CATCH: A catch is a legally caught ball which occurs
when a fielder secures a batted or thrown ball
with his hand or glove. If
the ball is merely held in the fielder's arms or is prevented from dropping
to the ground by some part of the fielder's body
or clothing the catch is not completed until the ball is in the
grasp of the fielder's hand or glove.
It is not a catch if a fielder immediately after he contacts the ball collides with another player or wall or falls
to the ground and drops the ball as a result of the collision or falling to the ground. In establishing a valid catch the fielder shall
hold the ball long enough to prove he has
complete control of the ball and that his/her release of the ball is voluntary
and intentional. If a player drops the ball while in the act of throwing it
is a valid catch, provided the glove is on the fielder's hand.
Sec. 13 CATCHERS
BOX: The catcher's box is that area
which the catcher must stay in until the pitched ball is released. The lines of the box are considered within
the box. All of the catcher's body
and equipment must be
within the catcher's box until the ball is released by the pitcher. An illegal pitch is indicated by the umpire if the catcher is not in this position.
Sec. 14 CHARGED CONFERENCE: A charged conference takes place when:
a. Defensive Conference - The defensive team requests a suspension
of play for any reason and a representative not on the field enters the
playing field and delivers a message (by any means) to the pitcher. It
is not a conference when the representative enters the field and removes the
pitcher.
b. Offensive Conference - The offensive team requests a suspension
of play to allow the manager or other team representative to confer with a batter
or baserunner. It is not a charged
conference when an
offensive pitcher is putting on a warm-up
jacket on base or if the offensive team confers while the defensive team is in conference.
Sec. 15 COACH: A member of the team at bat who takes his
place in the coaches box to direct his players in
running the bases. Two coaches
are allowed, one positioned at first base and one positioned at third base.
One coach can have in his possession a scorebook for scorekeeping purposes
only.
Sec. 16 CROW HOP:
A second replanting of the pivot foot prior to releasing of the pitch.
Sec. 17 DEAD BALL:
A ball that is not in play and not considered in the play again until
the pitcher has the ball in his possession
and the umpire has called "play ball".
Sec. 18 FAIR
BALL: A fair ball is a batted ball
that:
a. Settles on fair territory between home plate and first base or
home plate and third base.
b. Is on or over fair territory including any part of first and
third bases when
bounding towards the outfield or touches first, second or
third base.
c. First falls in fair territory beyond first of third base.
d. While in or over fair territory touches the person of any umpire
or player.
e. While over fair territory passes out of the playing filed or
beyond the outfield fence.
NOTE: A fair fly shall be judged according to the relative position of
the ball and foul line and not as to the position of the fielder at the time
he/she touches the ball. It does not
matter whether the ball first touches fair or foul territory as long as it does
not touch anything foreign to the natural ground in foul territory and complies
with all other aspects of a fair ball.
Home plate is in fair territory.
Sec. 19 FORCE
OUT: A force out is an out which can
be made only when a baserunner loses the right to the base he is occupying because the batter becomes a batter-runner and
before the batter-runner or a succeeding
baserunner has been put out.
Sec. 20 FOUL
BALL: A foul ball is a batted ball
that:
a. Settles on foul territory between home and first base or home and
third base.
b. Bounds past first and third base on or over foul territory.
c. Falls first on foul territory beyond first or third base.
d. While on or over foul ground touches an umpire, player or foreign
object to the natural ground.
e. Touches the batter or bat in the batter's hand while within the
lines of the batters box.
Sec. 21 FOUL TIP: A
foul tip is a batted ball which goes directly from the bat not higher than
the batter's head to the catcher's hands
and is legally caught by the catcher. A foul tip that is legally caught by the catcher remain alive.
A foul tip is a strike.
Sec. 22 ILLEGAL
BAT: An illegal bat is one that does
not meet the requirements of Rule 3 Sec 1.
Sec. 23 ILLEGALLY
BATTED BALL: An illegally batted
ball occurs when:
a. A batter's entire foot is completely out of the box and on the
ground when he hits the ball fair or foul.
b. Any part of the batter's foot is touching home plate when he hits
the ball.
c. The batter hits the ball with an illegal bat.
Sec. 24 ILLEGALLY
CAUGHT BALL: Occurs when a fielder
catches a batted or thrown ball with his cap, illegal
Sec. 25 IN JEOPARDY:
A term indicating that the ball is in play and an official player may
be put out.
Sec. 26 INFIELD
FLY: An infield fly is a fair ball
(not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second
or first, second and third bases are occupied and before two are out. An infield fly can be caught by any fielder.
Sec. 27 INNING: An inning is that portion of a game which the
teams alternate between offense/defense and there are 3 outs for each team.
Sec. 28 INTERFERENCE: Interference is the act of an offensive player
or team member which impedes or
Sec. 29 LEAP: The act of releasing the ball by the pitcher
with both feet off the ground.
Sec. 30 LEGAL
TOUCH: A legal touch occurs when a
runner or batter-runner who is not touching a base is touched by the ball while the ball is held securely in the fielder's
hand(s). The ball is not considered
as being securely held if it is juggled or dropped by the fielder after having
touched the runner unless the runner
deliberately knocks the ball from the hand of the fielder. It is sufficient for the fielder to touch the
runner with the glove which holds the ball.
Sec. 31 LEGALLY CAUGHT BALL: A legally caught ball occurs when a fielder
catches a batted or thrown ball provided
it is not caught in the fielder's cap, hat, pocket, protector or any other
part of his uniform. It must be caught and firmly held with the hand
or hands.
Sec 32 OBSTRUCTION: Obstruction is the act of:
a. A defensive player or team member which hinders or prevents a batter
from striking or hitting a pitched ball.
b. A fielder while not in possession of the ball impedes the progress
of a base runner who is legally running the bases.
Sec. 33 OVERSLIDE:
An overslide is the act of the offensive player sliding over and beyond
a base he is attempting to reach.
This is usually caused when his momentum causes him to lose contact
with the base which the causes him to be in jeopardy. The batter-runner may overslide first base
without being in jeopardy if he immediately
returns to that base.
Sec. 34 OVERTHROW: An overthrow is a play in which a ball is thrown
to retire a runner who has not yet reached
or is off base and goes into foul territory beyond lines of the playing field.
Sec. 35 PASSED
BALL: A pitch the catcher fails to
with ordinary effort stop or control and which enables a runner(s) to advance.
Sec. 36 PICK-OFF
THROW: The throw the catcher makes
to a base to catch the runner before he/she returns
after the pitch is made and ball is not hit.
Sec. 37 PIVOT
FOOT: The pitcher's foot must be in
contact with the pitcher's plate or ground until the pitcher's foot, which the pitcher steps towards home plate
with, touches the ground.
Sec. 38 QUICK PITCH: A quick pitch is made by the pitcher with the attempt to catch the
batter off balance.
Sec. 39 SACRIFICE:
A batter is credited with a sacrifice when with not more than one out
a bunt or hit fly ball enables a runner
to score. In either case the batter-runner
would be put out before reaching first base or would have been put out if
the hit would have been fielded without error.
Sec. 40 STRIKE
ZONE: The strike zone is that space
over any part of home plate which is between the batter's front armpit and the top of the batter's front
knees when the natural batting stance is assumed. Any part of the ball passing
through this strike zone is considered a strike. The umpire is instructed to determine the batter's strike zone according to the batter's
usual stance when swinging at a pitch.
Sec. 41 SQUEEZE:
A play in which the runner advances towards home plate from third base
following the release of the pitched
ball and the batter bunts the ball permitting the runner to score.
Sec. 42 STOLEN
BASE: The act of a runner attempting
to advance to the next base without the aid of a base hit, putout or a fielding
error.
Sec. 43 THREE
FOOT LINE: The three foot line is
a line parallel to and three feet from the base line in foul territory, starting
at a point halfway between homeplate and first base.
The batter-runner is declared out
when he runs outside the 3 foot line and in the judgment of the umpire interferes
with the fielder attempting to field a batted ball or interfering with
a thrown ball.
Sec. 44 TIE BREAKER/EXTRA
INNINGS: After the completion of 7
innings or when the time limit has expired and the score is still tied, the tie breaker
procedure will begin. This would involve
the last batter of the previous inning
who's turn at bat had been completed assuming a position on second base.
This would be done at the beginning of each half inning until at the
conclusion of a full inning a winner is determined.
Sec. 45 TIME:
The term used by the umpire to order the suspension on play.
Sec. 46 TURN AT BAT:
A player's turn at bat begins when he enters the batter's box and continues
until he is putout or becomes a baserunner.
Sec. 47 WILD
PITCH: A pitch that cannot be handled
by the catcher with ordinary effort.
RULE
2 - THE PLAYING FIELD
Sec. 1 The
playing field is the area within which the ball may be legally played and
fielded. The playing field shall have
a clear and unobstructed area within the radius of the regulation fence distances
from home plate between the foul lines.
Sec. 2 The minimum radius distance is 265 feet for
men and 200 feet for women. Pitching distances shall be 46 feet for men and 40 feet for women.
Basepaths are to be 60 feet.
Sec. 3 The
playing field layout should include, in addition to marking for foul lines, the
following:
a. The three-foot line is drawn parallel to and three feet from the
base line starting at a point halfway between
home plate and first base, in foul territory.
b. The batter's on-deck circle is a five foot circle placed between
home plate and first base and between home
plate and third base.
c. The batter's box shall be on both sides of home plate. They shall be 7 feet long and 3 feet wide.
The
d. The catcher's box shall be located behind home plate and shall be
10 feet in length and 8 feet 5 inches
e. The coach's box shall be located near first and third bases, 10
feet from and parallel to the base lines. They shall be 10 feet in length and 3 feet
wide.
f. There shall be a 8 foot radius circle drawn around the pitcher's
plate.
RULE
3 - EQUIPMENT
Sec. 1 The
Official bat shall be round or three sided and measure not more than 34 inches
long and not more than 2 1/4 inches in
diameter at its largest part and its weight not exceed 38 ounces. The bat shall have a safety grip of tape, cork or some other composition material to facilitate
holding the bat during the batter's
angular
handled bat is legal. Only bats, USSSA
approved weighted bats or USSSA approved bat weight
Sec. 2 The
Official Ball to be used shall be of softball design with a flat surface. The center or core of the ball shall be either solid or of No. 1 long fiber
KAPOK free from seeds and discoloration or a mixture of granulated cork impregnated with either natural or artificial rubber
molded into a sphere and then finish wound with a fine quality yarn or it may be made of other materials
approved by the USSSA. The cover of
horsehide or cowhide shall be cemented to the core and stitched with cotton,
linen or nylon thread in either flat seam or any concealed stitch type
which gives a flat surface. A twelve inch ball shall be used in all modified pitch programs. The ball stitching must be either white or
blue thread. The ball must have the USSSA stamp on it. The ball shall have a core wound with a fine
quality twisted yarn to 115/8
to inches in circumference.
The completed ball shall be 117/8 to 12 1/8 in circumference and shall
weigh between 6 and 7 1/4 ounces. The flatseam style shall not exceed 88 stitches in each cover sewed
by two needle method.
Sec. 3 Gloves
or mitts made of leather must be worn by all fielders. Only first basemen and catchers may wear mitts of any size. Gloves worn by pitchers may not be white, gray
or any light color. All other players are restricted to a finger type glove with a space between the thumb
and fore finger not exceeding more than
4 1/2 inches at the top. The webbing shall not be constructed to form any
type net or tray.
Sec. 4 Home
plate shall be made of rubber or any suitable material. It shall be five sided and seventeen inches wide across the edge closest to the pitcher.
The sides shall be parallel to the inside lines of the batter's
box and shall be 8 1/2 inches long extending forward toward the pitching
plate and the sides from the rear corner
shall be 12 inches long forming a square angle with the point facing the catcher.
Home plate is always part of fair territory.
Sec. 5 The
pitcher's plate shall be made of rubber or wood. It shall be 24 inches long and six inches wide. The front edge of the pitching plate shall be 46 feet
from the rear point of home plate.
Sec. 6 The
bases, other than home plate, shall be fifteen inches square and no more than
three inches high and white in color, and filled with soft padding.
Optional orange "safety bases" may be used.
Sec. 7 All
players must wear shoes. A legal shoe
shall be made of canvas or leather. The
soles may have soft or hard rubber cleats.
Metal cleats may be worn.
Sec. 8 Masks
with extended throat protection must be worn by all catchers and umpires. Failure to do so will result in the removal
of the catcher from the catcher's position.
Sec. 9 No
equipment shall be left lying on the field, either in fair or foul territory.
Sec. 10 All
players on a team shall wear uniforms alike in color and style:
a. Ball caps must be alike and must be worn properly. Caps are not mandatory, but when worn by one
b. A pitcher shall not wear any item on the pitching hand, wrist, arm
or thigh which may be distracting
c. Numbers must be worn on all uniforms. No players on the same team may wear identical numbers. If this occurs the umpire must ensure that
this is corrected immediately. While
participating in
tournaments all players shall be uniformly
dressed.
d. The wearing of jewelry is prohibited. Medical alert ID bracelets or necklaces are allowed but should be worn or taped to the body as not to present a hazard. Casts (plaster, metal or other hard substances)
or other items judged dangerous by the umpire
may not be worn during the game.
Sec. 11 NOCSAE
approved batting/base runner helmets shall be worn in all programs.
RULE
4 - PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES
Sec. 1 A Team in the Major and Class A Divisions
shall consist of 9 defensive players.
The designated hitter and or additional hitter can be used. A Team in Ten man Division shall consist of
10 defensive players. The designated hitter and/or additional
hitter can be used.
Sec. 2 If a team begins play with normally allowed
number of players that team may continue a game with one less player than it started with whenever a player
leaves the game for any reason other than ejection. If the
player is leaving the game is a runner, they shall be declare out. When the player who has left the game is scheduled to bat an out shall be declared
for each turn at bat. The players
who have left the game cannot return to the lineup.
EXCEPTION: a player who has left the game
under the blood rule may return.
Sec. 3 The
Additional Hitter can be used on defense but must keep same position in batting
order. The additional hitter if used
must be selected prior to the start of the game and their name must be included on the lineup card presented to the umpire. Failure to declare the use of the additional
hitter prior to the game precludes the
use of an additional hitter in that game. If a pinch-hitter pinch-runner is used that player becomes the new additional player.
The player who was the original additional player may re-enter
the game like any other player under the re-entry rule. If the additional hitter is used the position must be used the entire game.
Sec. 4 The Designated Hitter may be designated for
one starting defensive player and all sequential substitutes for that player. The designated hitter must be selected prior
to the start of the game and their name included on the line up card presented
to the umpire. Failure to announce
the designated hitter prior to the game precludes the use of the designated
hitter in that game. If a pinch-hitter
is used for that player they become the
new designated hitter. The player
who was the original designated hitter may not play defense at any time during the game.
If the defensive player is used on offense they must assume the same
batting position and the use of the designated is terminated for the rest
of the game.
Sec. 5 Re-entry is permitted in all modified pitch
programs. Any of the starting players
may withdraw and re-enter once, providing such player occupies the same batting
position he began the game at. A re-entry
by any starter must be announced to the umpire and
scorekeeper.
Sec. 6 The
act of an improper re-entry is handled as a protest by the offended team. Improper re-entry is a violation after a pitch
is made. Examples of improper re-entry
are:
a. Starter who re-enters in an incorrect batting position.
b. Starter who re-enters a second time.
c. A substitute who re-enters the game.
If an improper re-entry is discovered
by the defense while the player is playing offensively the following
penalties will be enforced:
a. If the improper re-entry is discovered while
he is at bat the player is ejected and a proper substitute assumes any accumulated balls and
strikes.
b. If the improper re-entry is discovered after he has completed his
time at bat but before a pitch has been made to a succeeding batter he is
called out and the player is ejected from the game.
All base runners if they have advanced must return to the base
occupied at the time the improper re-entry took a
c. If the improper re-entry is not discovered until a pitch is made
to the next batter or the improper re-entry enters as a substitute runner
the player is ejected. All play that
occurred while the improper re-entry was in the game will stand.
If improper re-entry is discovered
by the offense while the player is playing defensively the following penalties
will be enforced:
a. If the improper re-entry is discovered after he makes a play on
a fair batted ball (catch or throw) or a play on a foul fly ball and before
the next pitch, revert back to the previous pitch and award the batter and each base runner one base. The improper player is ejected.
b. If the improper re-entry is discovered after a pitch which did not
result in a batted ball on which the improper player made a play, the improper player
is ejected (this includes the pitcher).
Sec. 7 No defensive player shall take a position
in the batter's line of vision, deliberately attempt or act unsportsman-like
in any manner in an effort to distract the batter.
Sec. 8 There
shall be not more than two coaches for the team at bat to give assistance
and directions to the members of their
own team. One coach shall be in each
coaching box at first and third bases. They
may remain in that box.
Sec. 9 There
shall not be more than one charged offensive conference between players and/or
other players each inning. Any additional requests shall be denied. A
second charged conference will result in the removal of the pitcher from the pitching position.
Sec. 10 Managers,
coaches, players, substitutes, trainers, batboys and other team members or
occupants of the bench shall not from
any place, including coach's boxes, harass umpires or incite or try to incite
by work or sign or demonstration either opponents and/or spectators or use
language which will in any manner refer
to or reflect upon opposing players, the directors or spectators. NOTE: Use of profane or abusive
language or taunting will not be tolerated.
In the event of an ejection, ejected individual(s) shall leave the bench and playing areas immediately and take
no further part in the game. Failure to comply may result in
forfeit of game by offending individual's team.
RULE
5 - THE GAME
Sec. 1 The
choice of first or last at bat in the inning shall be decided by a toss of
a coin unless otherwise stated in the rules of the tournament or league under
which the schedule of games is to be played.
Sec. 2 The
fitness of the grounds for the beginning of the game shall be decided by the
home team. If no home team has been previously designated, such as in
tournament play, the umpire, with the advice of the tournament director makes the decision.
After a game has been started by the umpire he shall be the
sole judge as to the fitness of the ground or the intensity of the
weather for continuing play.
Sec. 3 A
regulation game shall consist of seven innings unless otherwise listed below:
a. Seven full innings are not played if the team second at bat scores
more runs in six innings or before the third out is made in their half on the
seventh inning.
b. A game that is tied at the end of seven innings shall be continued
by playing additional innings until one team has score more runs than the
other at the end of a completed inning or the team second at bat scores more runs in their half of the
incompleted extra inning.
c. A game called by the umpire during regular season play which can
not be resumed within 30 minutes
d. A regulation game shall be declared if the score is tied when the
game is called after four or more
batting during any incomplete inning. The umpire is empowered to call a game at any
time because of rain, darkness, panic or for any other cause which puts the
umpire, players or the patrons in peril.
e. After the completion of seven innings or when time limits have expired
and the score is still tied the tie breaker procedure will begin.
f. The run rule which awards a win to a team that is ahead in a game
after five or more completed
Sec. 4 The
winning team shall be the team that scores the most runs in a regulation game.
The total number of runs scored legally when the game is called at
the end of any completed inning after five shall be the score or when the team second at bat has equaled
or scored more runs during any incompleted innings after 5, the runs are all counted and the score
is either tied or one team wins or if the team second at bat has not scored more runs or does not score as
many or more in their half of the incompleted inning to tie or win the game, the game reverts to the inning
that was fully completed. At any point of the game after the
trailing team bats five times and the other team is ahead or goes ahead by the run rule the game ends there and is official.
Sec. 5 One run shall be scored each time a base
runner legally touches first, second, third and home base before the third out of an inning, unless the third out
is due to a force out or the batter-runner is out before reaching first base. Runners may advance and a run may be scored
only on a legally batted ball or on an overthrow
or error resulting from plays that started with and immediately follow the
batted ball or when the bases are full so that runners are forced to move
up or advance on the batter being awarded first base
by the umpire. One run shall be scored each time a base runner legally
steals home base.
Sec. 6 A run shall not be scored if the third out
of an inning is the result of:
a. the batter-runner being put out legally before touching first
base.
b. the baserunner being forced out at any base.
c. the baserunner being
called out for leaving a base too soon on a pitched ball.
d. the preceding baserunner being called out for failure to touch a
base.
Sec. 7 A
baserunner shall not score a run ahead of a base runner previously in the team's batting order if the
preceding runner has not been put out.
Sec. 8 Any
fair fly ball touched by a defensive player which then goes over the fence in fair territory will be declared a home run.
Sec. 9 A
forfeited game shall be declared by the umpire in favor of the team no at fault
in the following cases:
a. If a team fails to appear upon the field or being on the field refuses
to being the game for which it has been
schedule at the time the game was assigned.
b. If after a game has begun a team refuses to play or resume play
as directed by the umpire.
c. If a team uses tactics noticeable designed to delay or hasten the
playing of a game.
d. If an ejected player does not leave the field immediately when ordered to do so.
e. If a team does not have the designated number of players to begin
or continue a game.
Sec. 10 A suspended
game can result in tournament play if the umpire stops play for any reason
such as power failure or lights, a protested
game in accordance with these rules, any act of God, etc., that precludes
immediate continuance of the game, to conclusion of the full seven
innings or 6 1/2 innings with the
home team ahead.
Sec. 11 A protested
game can result when there is a difference of opinion on the field between
a team and an umpire regarding the application
or interpretation of either the official playing rules or specially adopted
ground rules. The following are Conditions which will or will not apply for acceptance of protests:
a. Based on an umpire's judgment such as whether
a batted ball was fair or foul pitched ball was a
scope to make the decision is not to be
accepted for consideration
b. Based on alleged misinterpretation or application of the playing
rules should be accepted for consideration and decision.
c. The intention to protest a rule must be made known by the manager
or captain of the protesting team to the umpire immediately and before the next
pitch is made to a batter, this to enable all concerned, umpires, scorekeepers, and the opposing
team, to take notice of the exact conditions prevailing on the field at the time of the Protest. The umpire receiving the protest shall cause all concerned to be
d. In tournament play all protests must be settled before any play
can be resumed suspended game
e. In tournament play when an ineligible player is discovered during
the game the offending team loses the game is ejected from the tournament, placed
last in the standings and forfeits all awards, sponsor travel money and berth that would have been awarded that tournament.
If this ineligible player is discovered after the completion of the
game (but during the tournament) the game shall stand as played. However, the offending team is ejected
from the tournament and assumes the same penalties as above.
f. Any rule protest must be made before the next legal pitch, intentional
walk, illegal pitcher action or
The decision made on a protested
game may result in:
a. The protest is found invalid and game's score stands as played.
b. Protest allowed game resumed at point of protest, as a suspended
game.
c. Protest allowed game forfeited in favor of the team not at fault.
RULE
6 - PITCHING
Sec. 1 Before
starting the delivery (pitch) the pitcher shall comply with the following:
a. He shall take a position with both feet on the pitcher's plate.
The hands shall be separated. The
ball can be in the glove or pitching hand.
His shoulders shall be in line with first and third bases.
b. While in this position the pitcher shall take the signal from the
catcher.
c. The pitcher shall then hold the ball in both hands for not less
than one second and not more than five seconds before releasing the ball.
d. The pitcher shall not be considered in the pitching position unless
the catcher in is position to receive the pitch.
e. The pitcher may not take the pitching position on or near the pitcher's
plate without having the ball in his possession.
f. The pitcher shall not wear a sweatband, bracelet, or similar-type
items on the hand, wrist, or arm.
Sec. 2 The
pitch starts when one hand is taken off the ball or the pitcher makes any
motion that is part of his wind-up.
a. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher shall not take more
than one step which must be toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery
of the ball to the batter.
b. Pushing off the pitching plate with the pivot foot shall be allowed
provided contact is
NOTE: It is not a step, if the pitcher slides his/her foot across the
pitching plate, provided contact is
c. Pitchers shall not use a windmill, side-arm or sling-shot motion.
The pitchers' elbow must remain
Sec. 3
A legal delivery shall be a ball
which is delivered to the batter with an underhand motion.
a. In the act of delivering the ball...
(1) the pitchers first step must be forward.
(2) the release of the ball must be on the first forward swing
of the pitching arm past the hip and the release must have a complete and smooth follow
through with no abrupt stop of the arm near the hip.
(3) The ball must not be outside the pitcher's wrist at the top
of the backswing and during the complete forward delivery.
(4) On the forward swing of the pitching arm the elbow must be
locked at the point of release and the driving hip must be squared with home plate
when the ball is released.
(5) He/she may take the ball behind the back on the backswing.
(6) The pitcher's palm may be pointing downward upon delivery.
b. When an illegal pitch is called
by the umpire, an immediate dead ball shall be called, a ball awarded to the batter and all the baserunners will be advanced
one base. Crow hopping and leaping
shall be
considered illegal pitches.
RULE
7 - BATTING
Sec. 1 The
batter shall take his position within the lines of the batter's box.
a. The batter shall not have his/her entire foot touching the ground
completely outside the lines of the
batter's box or touching home plate when the ball is hit.
b. The batter shall not step directly across in front of the catcher
to the other side of the batter's box while the pitcher is in position to
pitch.
c. The batter shall not enter the batter's box with an illegal bat.
d. The batter shall not enter the batter's box with an altered bat.
e. The batter must take his position within ten (10) seconds after
the umpire has called 'play ball'. He/she
must have both feet within the lines of the box before the
start of the pitch. He may touch the line,
but no part of his foot may be outside of the lines.
EFFECT:
The ball is dead. The umpire will call
a strike on the batter.
Sec. 2 The
batting order of each team must be listed and delivered to official scorer,
by the Manager or team
Sec. 3 The
batting order shall be followed throughout the entire game, unless a player
is substituted for. When this
a. If the error is discovered while
the incorrect batter is at bat, the correct batter takes his place and legally assumes
any balls and strikes.
b. If the error is discovered after
the incorrect batter has batted and before the next pitch to the following
batter, the player who should have batted is out.
Any advance or score made because of a batted ball by the improper
batter's advance to 1st base on a hit, an error or a base on balls shall be
nullified. The next batter
is the player whose name follows that of the player called out for failing
to bat.
c. If the error is discovered after
the first pitch to the next batter, the turn at bat of the incorrect batter
is legal; all runs scored and bases
run are legal and the nest batter shall be the one whose name follows that
of the incorrect batter.
No one is called out for failure to bat.
Players who have not batted and who have
not been called out have lost their turn at bat until reached again
in the regular order.
d. No baserunner shall be removed
from the base he is occupying to bat in his proper place. He merely
e. When the third out of the inning
is made before the batter has completed his turn at bat, he shall be the
first batter in the nest inning and shall have the ball and strike
count on him canceled.
Sec. 4 Members of the team at bat shall not interfere
either physically or vocally with a player attempting to field either a fair
or foul ball. This includes a base
coach.
EFFECT: The ball is dead, the batter is out and
baserunners may not advance.
Sec. 5 The batter shall not hit a fair ball a
second time with the bat in fair territory.
EFFECT: The ball is dead, the batter is out and
baserunners may not advance.
Sec. 6 A strike is called by the umpire:
a. for each legally pitched ball entering the strike zone before touching
the ground and at which the batter does not swing.
b. for each pitched ball swung
at and missed by the batter.
c. for each foul tip held by the catcher. the batter is out if it is the third strike.
d. for each foul ball not legally caught [this does not include a
third strike.]
e. when any part of the batter's person is hit
with his/her own batted ball, when he is in the batter's box and he has less than two strikes.
f. when a pitched ball hits the batter while the ball is in the
strike zone.
Sec. 7 A ball is called by the umpire:
a. for each pitch that does not
enter the strike zone or touches home plate and which is not swung at by the
batter.
b. for each legally pitched ball.
c. when a pitch hits the batter outside the strike zone the batter
is awarded 1st base.
NOTE: the batter must attempt to avoid the ball.
d. when the catcher fails to return the ball directly to the
pitcher.
e. when the pitcher fails to pitch within five seconds.
f. for each excessive warm-up pitch.
g. when the pitcher attempts a quick return pitch; the pitcher shall
be given a warning.
h. when an illegal pitch is called.
i. a batter is awarded first base when four balls are called by the
umpire.
Sec. 8 A
fair ball is legally batted ball which:
a. settles or is touched on fair ground between home and 1st base or
home and 3rd base.
b. bounces past 1st or 3rd base on or over fair ground.
c. touches 1st, 2nd, or 3rd base.
d. while on or over fair ground touches the person or clothing of an
umpire or player.
e. first falls on fair ground beyond 1st or 3rd base. A fair fly ball must be judged according to
the relative position of the ball and
the foul line, regardless of whether the fielder is on fair or foul ground
at the time he/she touches the ball.
EFFECT: the ball is in play and baserunners are entitled
to advance. Any number of bases with
liability to be put out.
The batter becomes a baserunner unless the infield fly rule applies.
f. while on or over fair ground the ball lands behind a fence or into
the stands beyond the outfield fence.
This is a home run.
g. hits a foul pole on the fly.
If the ball hits the pole above the fence level, it shall be a home run.
Sec. 9 A
foul ball is a legally batted ball which:
a. settles on foul ground
between home and 1st base or between home and 3rd base.
b. bounds past 1st or 3rd base on or over foul ground.
c. first touches on foul ground beyond 1st or 3rd base.
d. while on or over foul ground touches the person or clothing of an
umpire or player or the ball is blocked.
EFFECT: the ball is dead. A strike is called on the batter for each foul ball and base runners
must return to their bases without liability
to be put out.
Sec. 10 The
batter is out:
a. when the 3rd strike is struck at, missed and touches any part of
the batter's person.
b. when a batter appears in the batter's box with or is discovered
using an altered or an illegal bat. The
batter is also ejected from the game
for using an illegal bat.
c. when a fly ball is legally caught.
d. immediately when he hits an infield fly and the umpire has
declared "Infield Fly".
e. if a fielder intentionally drops or let's drop a fair fly ball,
including a line drive, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary
effort with 1st, 1st & 2nd,, 1st & 3rd, or 1st, 2nd & 3rd bases
occupied with less than two outs.
EFFECTS: The ball is dead, the batter is out and baserunners
must return to the last base touched at the time of the pitch.
NOTE: A trapped ball shall not be considered as
having been intentionally dropped.
g. if a preceding runner in the umpire's judgment intentionally interferes
with a fielder who is attempting to
catch a thrown ball, or is attempting to throw a ball in an attempt to complete
a play; the preceding runner and the batter are both declared
out.
h. any batter-run