BOCA SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES, 2008
REVISED AS OF JULY 24, 2008
ASA RULES - Current ASA Softball Rules shall govern all rules not covered by this supplement.
ELIGIBILITY- All players must be 55 years of age during the calendar year in which we play the winter or summer league.
THE GAME, THE ROSTER –
1... All games will be nine (9) innings, except tie games, which will be decided in extra innings.
2... A team must have nine (9) players to start and to continue a game of which seven (7) must be roster players.
3... Forfeiture will occur if #2 is not in place, and replacement players are not available. A forfeit can occur before a game is scheduled to start or during the game.
4... In the event of inclement weather occurring during play, an official game may be called by the Commissioner or his designee after five (5) complete innings or four and a half (4½) innings, if the home team is ahead. Games that are not considered regulation shall be resumed at the exact point where they were stopped. Games that are regulation tied games shall be resumed at the exact point where they were stopped.
5... A full team is defined as 11 players. A team must play with 11 players if replacement players are available.
6... If a team has less than a full playing team (11 players), the manager must notify the Commissioner (or his designee) at least 24 hours before the scheduled game. If replacement player(s) are available they will be assigned (see replacement players).
7... Once the playing rosters are established or exchanged between managers, and a player(s) is provided to the opposing team, there cannot be any recall of the player to the original team during the game.
8... If opposing teams have less than a full team of 11 players that is 9 or 10 players, and all efforts has been exhausted to obtain additional replacement players for both teams, then the batting team will provide a courtesy catcher for the fielding team. If either team has a full team of 11 players then the courtesy catcher will not be used.
9... Team rosters will be frozen five games before the end of the regular season. Therefore, no permanent replacement player will be assigned.
REPLACEMENT PLAYERS –
1... The Commissioner (or his designee) will assign replacement players (if available) when a team has less than eleven (11) players. Replacement players may come from the bye team, from the opposing team or substitute players (if available).
2... If a bye team is available, this will be the primary source for replacement players. The method used in choosing replacement player(s) will be to average the missing draft picks. For example, if the following draft picks are absent (#2, #10, #11) = 23. Divide by the number of missing players, which is 3 (23/3= 7.7). Round the fractionated number down to the whole number…in this case it is a 7. In addition, subtract one whole number from this rounded down number and that will be the ranked player available. In this example the team will be entitled to receive a #6 pick.
3... If there is no bye team or there is no appropriate player available from either the bye team or substitute players, the opposing team’s manager shall provide player(s) of his choosing, if available. For example, if team A has 9 players and team B has 13 players; team B gives team A two (2) players. If necessary, replacement player(s) may be made available from other teams playing on that day. These players will come from the team with the most players. If teams have the same number of players, the replacement player will come from the team with the worst record.
REVISED AS OF JULY 24, 2008
ASA RULES - Current ASA Softball Rules shall govern all rules not covered by this supplement.
ELIGIBILITY- All players must be 55 years of age during the calendar year in which we play the winter or summer league.
THE GAME, THE ROSTER –
1... All games will be nine (9) innings, except tie games, which will be decided in extra innings.
2... A team must have nine (9) players to start and to continue a game of which seven (7) must be roster players.
3... Forfeiture will occur if #2 is not in place, and replacement players are not available. A forfeit can occur before a game is scheduled to start or during the game.
4... In the event of inclement weather occurring during play, an official game may be called by the Commissioner or his designee after five (5) complete innings or four and a half (4½) innings, if the home team is ahead. Games that are not considered regulation shall be resumed at the exact point where they were stopped. Games that are regulation tied games shall be resumed at the exact point where they were stopped.
5... A full team is defined as 11 players. A team must play with 11 players if replacement players are available.
6... If a team has less than a full playing team (11 players), the manager must notify the Commissioner (or his designee) at least 24 hours before the scheduled game. If replacement player(s) are available they will be assigned (see replacement players).
7... Once the playing rosters are established or exchanged between managers, and a player(s) is provided to the opposing team, there cannot be any recall of the player to the original team during the game.
8... If opposing teams have less than a full team of 11 players that is 9 or 10 players, and all efforts has been exhausted to obtain additional replacement players for both teams, then the batting team will provide a courtesy catcher for the fielding team. If either team has a full team of 11 players then the courtesy catcher will not be used.
9... Team rosters will be frozen five games before the end of the regular season. Therefore, no permanent replacement player will be assigned.
REPLACEMENT PLAYERS –
1... The Commissioner (or his designee) will assign replacement players (if available) when a team has less than eleven (11) players. Replacement players may come from the bye team, from the opposing team or substitute players (if available).
2... If a bye team is available, this will be the primary source for replacement players. The method used in choosing replacement player(s) will be to average the missing draft picks. For example, if the following draft picks are absent (#2, #10, #11) = 23. Divide by the number of missing players, which is 3 (23/3= 7.7). Round the fractionated number down to the whole number…in this case it is a 7. In addition, subtract one whole number from this rounded down number and that will be the ranked player available. In this example the team will be entitled to receive a #6 pick.
3... If there is no bye team or there is no appropriate player available from either the bye team or substitute players, the opposing team’s manager shall provide player(s) of his choosing, if available. For example, if team A has 9 players and team B has 13 players; team B gives team A two (2) players. If necessary, replacement player(s) may be made available from other teams playing on that day. These players will come from the team with the most players. If teams have the same number of players, the replacement player will come from the team with the worst record.
4...Prior to the start of a game, on a 13-man roster, if a team has 11 players, and is missing the 12th or 13th draft pick, and the opposing team has 13 players, the opposing team's manager at his option, may give one (1) player to the other team for competitive balancing. On a 14-man roster, this rule will be in effect in a team has 11 or 12 players and is missing the 13th or 14th draft pick, the opposing manager at his option may give one (1) player to the other team. (This rule shall supersede THE GAME, THE ROSTER – Paragraph 5.)
5... A team with 11 players shall not provide a replacement player(s) to any team.
BATTING, BATTERS & PITCHING –
1... 4 balls and 3 strikes. If a foul ball occurs after strike two, the umpire will call the batter out (exception see screen rule #9.)
2... A batter is automatically out if 1st base is touched with bat in-hand.
3... A team can score a maximum of 5 runs per inning with the exception of the 9th inning (or agreed upon last inning) and all extra innings where each team can score as many runs as possible.
4... If a courtesy runner is on base when he is scheduled at bat, the umpire will declare the runner out at that base and be removed. He will then be allowed to bat. A batter (or more) who qualifies for a walk can be intentionally walked in order to get to the batting position of the courtesy runner on base.
5... In the event a player needs to leave the game before its completion both managers and the umpire shall be informed prior to the start of the game. If a valid replacement roster player is not available then all batters will move up and bypass the vacant spot. This player cannot return to play during the game. A player who leaves without proper prior notification or a player who is ejected from the game, the umpire will declare the batting spot for that player an automatic out.
6... In the event a player needs to leave the game due to an injury or illness, and there are no roster players available, then all batters will move up and by pass the vacant spot.
7... When the team is batting, only the manager, the two coaches in their boxes, the batter, and the two on-deck batters are permitted on the sidelines of the playing field. All other players must be in the dugout or off the playing field.
8... During the game, a player may receive one walk. Optionally, a player who has been walked once can accept or reject subsequent walks. If he rejects another walk, the count will return to zero balls and zero strikes. If the pitcher throws 4 balls again, the umpire will warn both the pitcher and manager that if four balls are thrown without a strike, the pitcher will be removed and replaced by another player.
9... A pitching screen must be used. It must be positioned for protection of the pitcher and physically located within three feet of the designated pitching rubber. If the batter hits the pitching screen a strike will be called. A batter will receive one courtesy strike when he hits the screen for the third strike, and will be called-out when he hits the screen again. In the process of fielding, if the ball hits the screen the ball remain in play until the umpire calls time-out.
10... A pitcher shall pitch from the designated pitching rubber or up to 5 feet behind the designated pitching rubber.
11... Any intentional bat throwing may result in a player being ejected from the game.
12... All softball bats will be accepted, unless specifically denied by league officials.
BASE RUNNING & RUNNERS –
1... There will be two first bases. The additional (outside) first base, which is positioned in foul territory, will be adjacent to the original first base located in the playing field. A batter who is running towards first base must touch the outside first base for all balls that do not reach the outfield; otherwise, the umpire will call the batter out.
2... There will be two home plates: a batter’s (original) home plate and a scoring home plate positioned in foul territory 8 feet from the batter’s (original) home plate. All plays at home will be on a force basis with the fielder using the batter’s home plate and the runner using the scoring home plate. There is no tag play at home. If the fielder makes a tag on the runner, who has passed the “NO RETURN LINE” (see below), the umpire will call the runner safe. If the runner does not touch the scoring home plate, the umpire will call the runner out only if the fielding manager makes an appeal to the umpire. If a runner touches the batter’s home plate, the umpire will call the runner out.
3... There will be a “NO RETURN LINE” positioned 20 feet from the batter’s home plate towards 3rd base. If a runner touches or crosses this line, the runner must continue forward towards the scoring home plate. If the runner touches or crosses the “NO RETURN LINE” heading back towards 3rd base, the umpire will call the runner out. If a runner has not touched or crossed this line, the runner can return to 3rd base or be tagged out by the fielding team.
4... A courtesy runner is permitted before the first pitch to the next batter, and must get the umpire’s approval before touching the base. If a courtesy runner touches the base without the umpire’s approval, the umpire will call the runner out and remove the runner from that base. A courtesy runner can only run once per inning, and the replaced runner cannot return as a courtesy runner during the same inning. You cannot be a courtesy runner if you are not on the game’s roster.
5... A courtesy runner is officially in the game upon touching the base. If a courtesy runner is illegally inserted into the game, the fielding manager must make an appeal to the umpire prior to the first pitch to the next batter. If the umpire verifies the courtesy runner is illegal, the courtesy runner will be called out and removed from the base.
6... Sliding is permitted for all bases. However, if a runner is clearly forced out at a base, the runner must veer away from the play in progress. If, in the umpire’s judgment, interference occurs the umpire can call both the runner and the batter out.
7... At all times verbal interference will not be tolerated by either team while the game is being played. For verbal interference, the umpire will have the discretion of making appropriate calls as well as issuing a warning or an ejection of a player as deemed necessary.
8... Base runners on first base and third base may stand up to 5 feet off the base in foul territory, but no closer to the next base, when a batter is at bat. On a base hit, the base runner(s) can advance directly to the next base. On a tag up play, the base runner(s) must return to their base before legally advancing to the next base.
5... A team with 11 players shall not provide a replacement player(s) to any team.
BATTING, BATTERS & PITCHING –
1... 4 balls and 3 strikes. If a foul ball occurs after strike two, the umpire will call the batter out (exception see screen rule #9.)
2... A batter is automatically out if 1st base is touched with bat in-hand.
3... A team can score a maximum of 5 runs per inning with the exception of the 9th inning (or agreed upon last inning) and all extra innings where each team can score as many runs as possible.
4... If a courtesy runner is on base when he is scheduled at bat, the umpire will declare the runner out at that base and be removed. He will then be allowed to bat. A batter (or more) who qualifies for a walk can be intentionally walked in order to get to the batting position of the courtesy runner on base.
5... In the event a player needs to leave the game before its completion both managers and the umpire shall be informed prior to the start of the game. If a valid replacement roster player is not available then all batters will move up and bypass the vacant spot. This player cannot return to play during the game. A player who leaves without proper prior notification or a player who is ejected from the game, the umpire will declare the batting spot for that player an automatic out.
6... In the event a player needs to leave the game due to an injury or illness, and there are no roster players available, then all batters will move up and by pass the vacant spot.
7... When the team is batting, only the manager, the two coaches in their boxes, the batter, and the two on-deck batters are permitted on the sidelines of the playing field. All other players must be in the dugout or off the playing field.
8... During the game, a player may receive one walk. Optionally, a player who has been walked once can accept or reject subsequent walks. If he rejects another walk, the count will return to zero balls and zero strikes. If the pitcher throws 4 balls again, the umpire will warn both the pitcher and manager that if four balls are thrown without a strike, the pitcher will be removed and replaced by another player.
9... A pitching screen must be used. It must be positioned for protection of the pitcher and physically located within three feet of the designated pitching rubber. If the batter hits the pitching screen a strike will be called. A batter will receive one courtesy strike when he hits the screen for the third strike, and will be called-out when he hits the screen again. In the process of fielding, if the ball hits the screen the ball remain in play until the umpire calls time-out.
10... A pitcher shall pitch from the designated pitching rubber or up to 5 feet behind the designated pitching rubber.
11... Any intentional bat throwing may result in a player being ejected from the game.
12... All softball bats will be accepted, unless specifically denied by league officials.
BASE RUNNING & RUNNERS –
1... There will be two first bases. The additional (outside) first base, which is positioned in foul territory, will be adjacent to the original first base located in the playing field. A batter who is running towards first base must touch the outside first base for all balls that do not reach the outfield; otherwise, the umpire will call the batter out.
2... There will be two home plates: a batter’s (original) home plate and a scoring home plate positioned in foul territory 8 feet from the batter’s (original) home plate. All plays at home will be on a force basis with the fielder using the batter’s home plate and the runner using the scoring home plate. There is no tag play at home. If the fielder makes a tag on the runner, who has passed the “NO RETURN LINE” (see below), the umpire will call the runner safe. If the runner does not touch the scoring home plate, the umpire will call the runner out only if the fielding manager makes an appeal to the umpire. If a runner touches the batter’s home plate, the umpire will call the runner out.
3... There will be a “NO RETURN LINE” positioned 20 feet from the batter’s home plate towards 3rd base. If a runner touches or crosses this line, the runner must continue forward towards the scoring home plate. If the runner touches or crosses the “NO RETURN LINE” heading back towards 3rd base, the umpire will call the runner out. If a runner has not touched or crossed this line, the runner can return to 3rd base or be tagged out by the fielding team.
4... A courtesy runner is permitted before the first pitch to the next batter, and must get the umpire’s approval before touching the base. If a courtesy runner touches the base without the umpire’s approval, the umpire will call the runner out and remove the runner from that base. A courtesy runner can only run once per inning, and the replaced runner cannot return as a courtesy runner during the same inning. You cannot be a courtesy runner if you are not on the game’s roster.
5... A courtesy runner is officially in the game upon touching the base. If a courtesy runner is illegally inserted into the game, the fielding manager must make an appeal to the umpire prior to the first pitch to the next batter. If the umpire verifies the courtesy runner is illegal, the courtesy runner will be called out and removed from the base.
6... Sliding is permitted for all bases. However, if a runner is clearly forced out at a base, the runner must veer away from the play in progress. If, in the umpire’s judgment, interference occurs the umpire can call both the runner and the batter out.
7... At all times verbal interference will not be tolerated by either team while the game is being played. For verbal interference, the umpire will have the discretion of making appropriate calls as well as issuing a warning or an ejection of a player as deemed necessary.
8... Base runners on first base and third base may stand up to 5 feet off the base in foul territory, but no closer to the next base, when a batter is at bat. On a base hit, the base runner(s) can advance directly to the next base. On a tag up play, the base runner(s) must return to their base before legally advancing to the next base.
