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2010 LEAGUE RULES OF PLAY Revised 3/22/10 (See section II B 1) Revised 6/26/10 for Saturday League (See section II C 4 l)
I. RULES OF PLAY A. The Official Senior Softball-USA rulebook is the official document used by GCSSA. B. Unless modified by these League rule changes, the Senior Softball-USA rules shall apply. In some cases the Senior Softball-USA rules are repeated here for clarity. C. If a Senior Softball-USA rule is changed during the season, the GCSSA Board and Rules committee will determine if the new rule will apply. The goal will be to start and finish a season without changing rules. II. GCSSA LEAGUE RULES A. The Playing Field 1. Field preparation and line chalking is the responsibility of the team designated as the HOME TEAM for the first scheduled game. If in the opinion of the umpire the field has not been properly prepared in accordance with GCSSA league standards by the time the game has been scheduled to start, the umpire shall inform the Home Team manager of the field’s deficiencies. The Home Team shall be given a reasonable amount of time to correct such deficiencies before the start of play. If the Home Team refuses or is otherwise unable or unwilling to make the necessary corrections, the umpire may instruct the scorekeeper to record the game as a forfeit by the Home Team. 2. Grooming of the playing fields and turf mowing is done by GCSSA volunteers. (The Park District is no longer able to do these jobs.) 3. At the conclusion of the final game, it is the responsibility of the VISITING TEAM to remove the bases and restore the plugs, home plate, scoreboard, and pitcher screen from the field and secure them in the equipment shed. 4. A strike zone mat will be used in all games. A pitched ball which lands on home plate or the mat is a strike. The mat must conform to Senior Softball dimensions which as of 2008 is 19" wide by 34 ½” long. 5. The pitcher’s area will extend up to 6' behind the existing pitchers rubber and 6" on each side of the rubber. A pitching screen may be used. If used, a batted ball hitting the screen will be treated as a "no pitch". A thrown ball hitting the screen will be declared "dead" and all runners will advance 1 base. 6. There will be a run through line at 2nd and 3rd base. The line will extend 6 feet on each side of the bag and for the advancing runner the line is considered part of the bag. The primary purpose of this extended area is to avoid sliding into the base and avoiding injury. It is the primary responsibility of the base runner to avoid a collision. Any attempt of the runner to avoid a collision and causes the runner to miss the line will not be cause for the umpire to call an out. 7. Starting in 2009 there will be a run through line at home plate located per the dimensions of the Senior Softball-USA Rulebook. To satisfy reaching home, the runner need only touch the line or a point past the line. 8. Only the front line of the batter's box will be chalked and enforced. If the batter has either foot entirely over the line at the time of hitting the ball, the batter will be called "out". 9. The defense must have some part of the body on the strike zone mat (any portion of the 19” X 34 1/2 “ mat) before the runner crosses the run through line to record an out. The defense is not allowed to tag the runner on plays at home plate. B. Equipment 1. BAT The Senior Softball USA rule is as follows: “DISAPPROVED BATS High-tech bats such as Titanium or any new substance or configuration have not been approved for use in SSUSA and SSWC competition pending acceptable testing and research. The bats are therefore termed illegal and prohibited for use in any SSWC Qualifying Tournament, World Championships, and all Senior Softball-USA softball activities. Double-walled bats not having a rating stamped on the bat of BPF 1.20 or below are not approved. Any bat displaying the label “exceeds 1.20BPF” is not approved. “APPROVED BATS
GCSSA exceptions to the above rules are: a. Male players seventy (70) years and older and women of any age will be allowed to use any bat. b. Players 65 to 69 may not use the original grey Miken or the yellow Rip-it. c. Players less than sixty five years old (50-64) may not use any bat that is on the “ASA non-approved list with certification marks” (unless allowed by GCSSA) which as of January 2010 are as follows: Combat-VIRSP3 Lady Virus, Easton-SCX- Synergy, Easton- SCX22 Synergy 2, Louisville Slugger-FPC305 Catalyst (-8), Louisville Slugger-SB304, Louisville Slugger-SB34 Genesis, Miken-MSF Freak, Miken-Limited Edition Freak, Miken-Ultra, Miken- Ultra II, Miken-Maxload, Nokoma-Tomahawk, Schutt-Red/Silver Schutt Bat, Worth-EST9, Worth-QESTFP, Worth-SBWK(Wicked), Worth-SBWKA, Worth-WWSC Wicked Comp. (SP Only), Worth-WWSCA, Worth-XEST9X, Worth-XGold, Worth-XPST4, Worth-XRed, and Worth-XWICKX Wicked (SP Only). d. Knowing and accepting the fact that not all bats are created equal, the Board reserves the right to exclude (ban) any bat which is felt to give an unfair advantage to individual players, or which are deemed to be unsafe for defensive players. This exclusion (ban) will apply to all bats of the same brand/model for all teams and players. This exclusion can occur at any time during the season. 2. Ball The ball used by GCSSA will be as specified in the Senior Softball –USA rulebook and is currently a 12 inch ball with a cor rating of 0.44 and a compression of no more than 375 psi 3. Uniform The uniform as issued to each player should be worn at all times while on the playing field. Hats are optional. In the event a player is not issued a uniform, any shirt (preferably with a number and closely matching the team color) selected by the team manager will be acceptable. C. Players and Substitutes 1. Player eligibility Players must be fifty (50) years old by December 31st of the current calendar year to be eligible to play. For the application of special age rules for league play, each player’s age is the age he or she will be on or before December 31st. There is no upper age limit. 2. Minimum/Maximum Number of Players a. A minimum of seven (7) roster players of the team must be present and able to play to constitute a legal line-up. Less than seven (7) roster players force the team to forfeit. b. If a team starts a game with seven (7) roster players and an injury prevents a roster player to continue, the team may elect to forfeit or continue with a reduced number. c. An out will be recorded for any player who is ejected when that player is due to bat. If the ejected player reduced the number of roster players to less than (7), the team will forfeit the game. 3. Female Players Any female player will play under the same rules as for a seventy (70) year old male player. 4. Substitute Players a. A substitute list will be kept at the scorer’s table. Players from other teams who want to substitute should sign in well before game time if possible. b. Managers who are short may recruit players or choose from the substitute list. Substitute players should be selected at least five minutes before game time. c. In the event that more than one manager is seeking a substitute of the same rank, the first pick will be awarded to the manager who wins a coin toss. d. A team may select up to three (3) substitutes from players on other teams. e. The substitute players come with the ranking they received in the draft. f. For clarity a higher ranked player has a lower draft numerical number. g. The managers may select substitute players to match the ranking of his missing players, but not better. h. After the start of the game, if a late arriving roster player enters the game, the roster player is added to the end of the batting lineup. The manager determines when the roster player enters the game, but not later than after one full inning of play. When a roster player enters a game, the substitute for that player must leave the game. i. Never will there be a situation that will allow a team to have a substitute from another team when ten (10) or more roster players are present and able to play. j. If substitute players, qualified to play pursuant to these rules, are available to play a team does not have the right to reject the player(s) and to play with fewer than 10 players. Such rejection shall be deemed a “forfeit” and entered into the scorebooks accordingly. k. No team shall be allowed to better its starting line-up once the game has started. Any roster (or substituted) player leaving a game after it has started, must be replaced with a player of equal or higher numerical number. If qualified substitutes are not available, then the team can play with nine players until such time that a qualifying substitute becomes available. l. Saturday League Supplement: The GCSSA Rules of Play shall apply with the following stipulation: Managers must utilize available players from the Saturday draft players as a first priority. If, after a reasonable attempt fails, managers may choose from the players on the weeknight league with conditions. Managers may not select players of equal rank, but must add 2 to the missing player rank, with the further provision that the rank will not exceed 12. Example: A manager qualifies to replace a player with a rank of 2. In this case the manager may choose a player from the weekday players with a rank of 4 or higher numerical value. The manager who selects a player from the weekday players is obligated and will be assessed a fee of $5.00 for each substitute taken from the weeknight players. Payment shall be made to GCSSA. 5. Unforeseen Events The substitution rules may not provide for unanticipated events that will occur. If a team experiences short or long term losses of several roster players, to the point where a full team cannot be assembled, a remedy will be provided by the League Board of Directors. Any remedy proposed by the Board must have approval of a majority of the team managers. 6. After Season Events a. Generally, the league will not have a playoff for the league champion. The results of the full season will determine the League Champion. b. Tournaments or extended season play will be determined by the Board on an annual basis. The goal will be to provide the league with a schedule for after season events prior to the scheduled All Star game.
D. The Game 1. The game is scheduled for a minimum of 60 minutes (except as noted). When more than one game is scheduled for a field, the time for the first game shall start at 5:30 P. M. Exception: the game time may start later if through no fault of the teams and at the discretion of the Umpire. At the 60 minute point (or scheduled end time) the Umpire will announce that “we will finish this inning and play one more.” In case of a tie at the end of the last inning, at the discretion of the umpire, an extra inning may be played using the “tie breaker rule” (the prime factor will be the amount of available light left to complete the game and not jeopardize other scheduled games). If the game is tied at the conclusion of play, it will be declared a tie. For double games scheduled before April 28 or after August 18, the game time will be 55 minutes. 2. Game time is forfeit time. 3. Weeknight game times are 5:30 P.M. and 6:45 P.M. For double games scheduled before April 28 or after August 18, the second game will start at 6:40 P.M. 4. Saturday game times are 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. 5. If a team scores five (5) runs in any inning except the last inning, play will be stopped and the hitting team will take the field. 6. In the final inning, as designated by the umpire, each team may score an unlimited amount of runs. 7. Designated score keepers will be provided for all league games. 8. Only team managers or acting managers may consult with the umpire about interpretation of rules. 9. Teams must bat all players and rotate defensive positions to insure each player has at least three (3) innings of play. Players are not allowed to volunteer to sit out and must play the required number of innings. 10. An outfielder may not encroach inside the 160' arc until contact with the ball has been made by the batter. This applies to all batters. EFFECT: Umpire calls dead ball and batter is awarded 1st base. 11. All infielders must remain on the infield and off the grass until the ball is hit. This applies to all fields. Note that field one is a baseball diamond configuration and the softball infield is subject to interpretation by the umpire only. 12. Managers may not mutually agree to waive any league rule. EFFECT: A double forfeit will be recorded. 13. Smoking is not allowed on the playing field or in the dugout. 14. Alcohol is not permitted during a game. If in the opinion of the umpire a player appears to be under the influence, that player will not be allowed to continue to play. 15. Home Run Rule Home runs over the fence will fall under the "walk off" concept; whereas the batter and all runners may walk off and not be required to run the bases. The home run rule in effect will be known as the ONE-UP RULE. Either team is allowed to hit a home run to go one home run ahead of the opposing team. The rule applies only to over-the-fence home runs. EFFECT: For any in excess, the ball will be ruled dead, the batter receives a single, and all runners advance one (1) base. Example: The visiting team hits a home run in the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the first inning the home team could hit two home runs to go one-up. In the top of the 2nd inning the visitors could hit two more to go one-up. If they hit a third, it becomes a single and advances the runners one base, remaining one-up. This can continue throughout the entire game. The home team may not go one-up in the last inning.
E. Pitching 1. Starting in 2009 a 1 and 1 count will be in effect for batters in the weekday league. The 0 and 0 count will be used for the Saturday league. 2. The ball must be delivered with an arc of between six and 12 feet as measured from the ground. 3. Pitches which are too low and too high will be verbally announced “illegal” by the umpire. 4. The pitcher has the option of using the Protective Screen. Once that option is exercised, he may not change his option. F. Batting 1. A batter deliberately erasing any portion of the batter’s box will be called out. This is an umpire’s judgment call. 2. Any batter using an illegal bat will be called out. Stepping in the batters box constitutes use. The opposing manager may call the illegal use to the attention of the umpire. The infraction must be noted before the next batter is in the box or it has the effect of no infraction. Any runners on base must return to the base(s) occupied at the time the illegal bat was used. Repeated infractions may result in further action by the GCSSA Board including ejection from the league. G. Base Running 1. Courtesy Runner a. Courtesy runners are allowed for any base runner each inning. b. A courtesy runner is in the game when he touches the base. c. A courtesy runner whose turn at bat comes while he is on base will be called out. He will be removed from the base and will then be allowed to bat in his normal batting order. A second courtesy runner cannot be substituted at this time. d. A player may be a courtesy runner only once per inning. e. A runner who is replaced for a courtesy runner may not be used as a courtesy runner for the remainder of the inning. EFFECT: Section G. 1.b.-e. If a runner violates any of these conditions, he will be called out and removed from the base. 2. Running a. A double white/orange base will be used at 1st base. On an imminent throw to 1st base, the runner must use the orange bag only. If the runner uses the white bag on an eminent throw to 1st base, the runner is out. This is not an appeal play. b. A runner may use either base in all other situations where there is no play at 1st base. c. Sliding when advancing to an upcoming base will not be permitted. If returning to the previously occupied base, sliding is allowed. EFFECT: Section G. 2. a. and c. Violations results in the runner being called out. d. An eight-foot commitment line will be placed twenty feet from home plate. A base runner touching or crossing this commitment line must continue toward home plate; he cannot return to third base. EFFECT: Base runner is called out. Other runners may advance at their own risk. e. A base runner will be retired at home plate on non-force situations without a tag. It is only necessary for the defensive player to catch and hold the ball while touching the strike plate mat prior to the runner touching the home plate run through line. Tagging the runner is not allowed. f. Starting in 2009 there will be a run through line at home plate located per the dimensions of the Senior Softball-USA Rulebook. To satisfy reaching home the runner need only touch the line or a point past the line to reach home. g. A batter who is defined as being 70 years old under GCSSA league rules may not be thrown out at first base by a throw made by a defensive player from the grass. This rule applies on all fields equally. On field one it will be a judgment call by the umpire. 3. Run by Rule a. Base runners when advancing to a base may overrun 2nd and 3rd base without being in jeopardy of being put out. b. If the base runner decides to advance after running through, he must re-tag the base before advancing. EFFECT: This is an appeal play. Violation results in the runner being called out. c. A base runner must avoid collisions or the runner will be called out, at the discretion of the umpire. d. If a base runner misses touching a base to avoid a collision, the runner will not be called out, at the discretion of the umpire. H. DELAYS Starting in 2009, teams will have one (1) minute after each half inning to get ready for the game to continue. If the offense is not ready, the umpire will add a strike to the count. If the defense is not ready, the umpire will add a ball to the count. I. PROTEST 1. A game may be played under protest if the protesting team feels the umpire misinterpreted the rules. Judgment calls by the umpire are not subject to protest. Any violation may be protested, even if an “effect” is not stated. 2. To protest a game: a. Only the team manager or acting manager must advise the umpire at the time of the action being protested. The umpire must then advise the opposing team manager that a protest has been made. The umpire will proceed to the scorekeeper’s location and instruct the scorekeeper to note the protest in the score book adjacent to the at-bat person’s name. No discussion will take place after such protest declaration. Any action to protest a game must be done before the end of the game and will be considered as an invalid protest. b. Protesting manager must deposit fifteen dollars ($15) with the league within 24 hours or there is no protest. c. The manager will complete a protest sheet, which should then be given to the Rules and Safety Committee chairman. d. If the protest is won, the $15 will be returned. If the protest is lost, the league treasury will retain the $15 protest fee. 3. Hearing Procedure a. A protest hearing will be called within one week of the protest and a decision of the hearing body will be final. b. The hearing body will consist of three (3) people as follows: (1) Chief umpire or the board chairman. (2) One person from the Rules and Safety Committee selected by the highest ranking board member. (3) One person drawn from a pool of five (5) names chosen by the protesting manager. The league president will select the five people for the pool. c. The hearing body after reviewing the factual basis for the protest may authorize the following: (1) Deny the protest. (2) Grant the protest and: (a) Rule the game is replayed in its entirety. (b) Rule the inning be replayed. (c) Issue any other ruling consistent with good sportsmanship and fair play that provides appropriate relief to the team having made the protest. (Revised as of March 22, 2010)
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