Softball Rules

 

Just like in any sport there are some rules that need to be followed.  That first rule is very simple and easy to follow.  Here it is:

There is absolutely no swearing, rough playing or bad mouthing/yelling at other players.  We are Churches and Christian people and we need to keep that Christian environment. The idea here is to play and have fun.

 

Now that we have discussed that first rule, we can now read the rest of the rules below.  Remember that anyone that does not follow any of these rules may be terminated from a game at any time.

 

 

THE GAME

 

• There can be 9 to 10 players on a softball team.  Both teams must have the same amount of players when playing a game.

• The playing field is divided into the infield and outfield

• The lines between the bases are 60’ apart and when joined they form a “diamond”, inside the baseline is known as the infield

• Outside the baseline but inside the playing field is called the outfield.

• Any ball going outside the 1st or 3rd base line is a foul ball (runners can not advance and the batter gets another try unless the ball was caught in the air, which translates to an out)

• An official game is 7 innings (a inning is when both teams have had their turn to bat)

 

 

PITCHING

 

• The pitcher must have both feet on the pitcher’s mound and can only take one step forward while pitching.

• The ball can be thrown underhand or overhand.

 

 

BATTING

 

• Batters must follow the same order throughout the whole game

• The batter is out if and when:

  1. three strikes have been called

  2. a fly ball is caught (the defense team must hold procession of the ball in their glove for 3 sec's)

 

 

BASE RUNNING

 

• Runners must touch each base in order.

• Runners may overrun 1st base only, all other bases the runner may be tagged and called out if they are off the base.

• Runners can not lead off a base, they must be on base until the ball has made contact with the batting players bat.

• If the defense team drops the ball when tagging a base runner then the base runner is not out.

• After a fly ball has been caught the base runner must tag the occupied base before advancing to the next base.

• One base runner can not pass another base runner that is ahead of them or they will be automatically out.

• Stealing a base is not permitted.

• If the defense team makes an error like overthrowing the ball to someone, the base runner may advance 1 base per error if the base runner makes the attempt to advance a base.

• A runner is out if:

1. they are tagged with the ball before reaching a base (the defense team must not drop the ball)

2. the ball gets to 1st base before the runner

3. they run more than 3 feet out of the base line to avoid being tagged

 

 

Other Rules

 

• Since there are no umpires, there will be 3 assign umpires from each team to make calls and plays.  These umpires are required to make calls weather they are playing defense or batting.  When batting the umpires of that team are required to stand at 1st and 3rd base.

• No one other then the assigned umpires can make any calls.  The team cannot argue any plays unless their assign umpire argues it.

• The captains of each team will keep score of the game.  The score will be discuss before an inning starts.  Once the inning has started the score cannot be argued or changed unless both captains come to an agreement.

• No other rule will be added besides the one's mention here unless they are mention and agreed by both captains only.

 

 

TERMS:

 

• Grounder- A ball that is hit on the ground

• Force out- when the runner has to advance to the next base to make room for the following base runner.

• Fly ball- ball hit up in the air to the infield

• On deck- the next batter

• Pop up- ball hit up in the air to the infield

• Strike- term used when a ball is swung at and missed.

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