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Softball Rules

	League Rules
1	Game time: Games must start no later than 10 minutes from scheduled start time. For both 5 & 6pm games, no new inning may be started after 55 minutes have elapsed from when the game began. The umpire will keep the official game time. If one team does not have 8 players, the opposing captain has the decision to start play or accept a forfeit.
2	Game Ball: Two game ball's will be provided (men's and women's size). The home team captain will be in charge of picking up the game balls from the desk. After the game, please leave used game balls in the black nylon bag and return to front desk.
3	Female Batters: Females will get to use the smaller (11 inch) game ball. In addition, the outfielders cannot come inside the 100 foot perimeter marked on the field.
4	Cancellations: If a team knows in advance that they cannot field enough players they must alert the Rec. Center Staff (reccenter@oh.hra.com) & the opposing Captain by 2:00pm (as courtesy to the opponent & umpire). This will result in a forfeit.
5	Rain: If it is Raining during the day or the field is in poor condition & the game needs to be called then the Rec. Center staff will contact the captains by 2:00pm on game day. In case of Rain during the game, the decision to play will be left up to the participating captains & umpire.
6	Results: The Umpire is responsible for filling out the score sheet and each team Captain will need to sign the score sheet following the game. This score sheet is to be turned in by the umpire at the front desk of the MPC
7	Umpires: A hired umpire will be at most games listed on the schedule. There may be games in which an Umpire will not be available. If this happens, we would need teams to help out and umpire their games. Umpires will be in charge of keeping score and filling out/returning score sheet to the MPC front desk
8	Champions: The champions will be determined by the winner of the tournament following the regular season, not the season winner. Double elimination tournament schedule to be released during the season.
9	Reschedules: Reschedules are not permitted. The only time we will reschedule a game is for weather related reasons, which will be communicated by 2:00pm.

Game Rules - ASA
1	Pitch Count: The pitch count will be 1-1 to start. After two strikes, one free foul is allowed. This means that if the first pitch is a strike (called, swinging, or foul ball), the batter may hit ONE ball foul and not be out. But one more foul ball, and the batter is out. A ball that hits the plate is not a strike unless swung at by a batter.
2	1st Base: When running to first base, the runner must use the Safety Base on the foul side of the field. The First Baseman should use the base on the field side.
3	Batting Order: A team may bat as many players as they have available. It is up to each captain to decide if they prefer to bat more than 10.
4	Ground Rule Double: A batted ball that BOUNCES over, or roll UNDER the outfield fence is ruled a ground rule double. After the play is over, the outfielder may try to retrieve the ball.
5	Strike Zone: A pitched ball that hits any part of the mat is a strike. The ball must also be between 6-12 feet in the air at it's peak. It can be called a ball if it is too high or too flat. This is a judgment call made by the umpire. Please, no arguments.
6	Run Rule: The "Run Rule" will be 12 runs after 5 innings. This means, that the game will be called over if there is a lead that size at the end of that inning.
7	Out of Play: The fence along the first and third baseline dictates "Out of Play". The fence makes an invisible line straight thru to the outfield. A fly ball or pop up outside the fence, or the line it makes, cannot be caught for an out.
8	Overthrow: If a ball is thrown out of play (beyond the chain link fence or backstop), each runner is awarded 1 base in addition to the base they are trying for. For example, If a runner is running toward first base and the throw goes out of play, the runner is awarded second base.
9	Infield Fly Rule: The infield fly rule applies only when there are fewer than two outs, and there is a force play at third (runners on first and second base, or bases loaded). In these situations, if a fair fly ball is a hit that, in the umpire's judgment, is catchable by an infielder with ordinary effort, the batter is out regardless of whether the ball is actually caught in flight. This is a judgment call and very difficult for new umpires recognize. During an infield fly rule situation the ball will be considered DEAD and no runner can advance. Please, no arguments.
10	Pinch Runner Rule: If a player needs a pinch runner, the last player that was OUT can be substituted to run for them.
11	Female Batters: Females will get to use the smaller (11 inch) game ball. It is the batter's responsibility to ask for this ball. In addition, the outfielders cannot come inside the 100 foot perimeter marked on the field.
12	Home Runs: In an effort to expedite the game, batters that hit a home run do not have to run the bases unless they choose to do so. There will be a 3 homerun limit per team. If a team hits more than 3 homeruns (outside of the fence) any of them after that will be considered an out.
13	Sliding Rules: Sliding into home base is prohibited. Players should run through the black mat behind home base to ensure safety.