2005 - Junior & Senior Softball Rules

No one except the players, manager and coaches listed on the Eligibility Affidavit shall occupy the dugout and/or field before and during a game.  Base coaches may be players, or one adult base coach is permitted.

 

Players, manager and coaches may not leave the dugout without umpires OK.

 

PITCHING RULES

 

A player may not pitch in more than Ten  (10) innings in a game.

 

If a player pitches no more than four (4) innings in a calendar day, no rest is required.  If a player pitches five (5) innings or more in a calendar day, one day’s rest is required before pitching again.  This also applies between regular season games and opening of tournament as well as resumption of regular season games following tournament elimination of Special Games following tournament.

 

                                                1 to 4 inn  =  no rest needed.

                                                5 or More  =  1 calendar day rest is needed.

 

Pitchers remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher, but only once in the same inning.

 

TRIPS TO PITCHER

 

A manager or coach may come out twice in one inning to talk to the pitcher but the third time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher.  The manager or coach may come out three times in a game, but the fourth time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher.  The rule applies to each pitcher who enters a game.

 

                                May come out                                        Must be removed

                                2 per inning                                             3 time out per inning

                                3 per game                                               4 time out per game

 

OFFENSIVE TIME OUT

 

Only one offensive time-out will be permitted each inning to talk to player.

 

WHO IS CHARGED WITH THE TIME OUT

 

EXAMPLES:  1) If a coach wants to talk to the batter and is given time-out, the coach may go out to talk to the pitcher and not be charged with a trip.  But once the coach that is being charged with the time-out is done the other coach must return to their dugout.  2) Likewise if a coach makes a trip to the pitcher the coach may talk to the batter and/or runner.

 

SUBSTITUTION

 

Every player on a team roster will participate in each game for a minimum of three (3) consecutive defensive outs AND bat at least one (1) time.

 

Managers are responsible for fulfilling mandatory play requirements.  Violation of this rule should result in forfeiture of the game, if protested before the umpire(s) leave the field.  There is no exception to this rule unless the game is shortened for any reason.

 

                NOTE:  A game is not considered shortened if the home team does not complete the offensive half of the seventh           inning (or any extra inning) due to winning the game.

 

All players must play defensively at least three (3) consecutive defensive out AND bat at least once before being removed, unless injury, illness or ejection prevents this.

 

Any player who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game, in the SAME position in the batting order, provided:

1)       The player being removed has played defensively for a minimum of three (3) consecutive defensive outs, AND;

2)       The player being removed has completed one time at bat.

 

NOTE:  To be assured of meeting minimum participation requirements, all substitutes who have not entered the game previously SHOULD ENTER DEFENSIVELY at the start of their half of the third inning (visitors) or fourth inning (home).  This is the responsibility of the manager.

 

A player who has met the above requirements, and is a pitcher at the time he/she is removed, may be removed for a substitute batter and re-enter the game as a pitcher once, provided the pitcher was not physically replaced on the mound.

 

A rule 7.14 (special runner) does apply during tournament. 

 

The 10 run rule:  Team behind must concede victory after “legal game” in.