2018 RECREATION RULES
All rules will be taken from the Slo-Pitch National Rule Book, excepting the changes noted below:
1. R1-S2 Four outfielders must remain behind a line and/or markers 130 feet from the plate until the ball is hit whenever a female is batting.
2. R1-S3A The distance between the bases shall be 60 feet.
3. R1-S3B & R1 S12 Pitchers will stand directly between home plate and second base, and must start delivery at least 46 feet to 56 feet away from home plate.
4. R2 S1 Any softball bat may be used.
5. R2 S2 An 11 inch ball will be used for all female batters. Our official ball is the Jugs training ball.
6. R2 S3B The mat dimensions will be 36” x 24” and will cover the entire plate. The mat is to be nailed down if it is made of wood. Any legally pitched ball hitting the mat is to be called a strike.
7. R2 S5 A safety base shall be used at first base.
8. R2 S8A Catchers do not have to wear any protective gear.
9. R3 S11 Batters Area. The batter shall stand in reasonable proximity to the strike mat - ahead of, behind of, within reach - but at no point can contact be made with the strike mat during the act of swinging at a pitch - result - OUT. Furthermore, quick pitches are not allowed - the batter must be allowed to get ready!
10. R3 S78 Runners coming in to score cannot be tagged out between the commitment line and the scoring line.
11. R4 S4A&B Games will be nine innings long.
12.R4 S4F Five runs is the maximum for any inning except the ninth, which is open.
13. R7 S1 &S2 The batting order shall consist of all the players who are there. Substitutions or changes are not allowed. If a player cannot continue, their position in the batting order is passed over. Unlimited defensive player substitutions are allowed.
14. R7 S3C&R6 S2C Female batters will be allowed to bunt. All infielders to remain a minimum of 46 feet from home plate until contact is made. Pitchers may only take one step as part of their pitching motion before the batter makes contact with a pitched ball.
15. R13 S1B There must be at least three and no more than seven members of each gender on the field.
16. R13 S3 Automatic walks are not allowed.
17. R13 S3 Any male batter walked on four straight balls at any time during his time at bat, with a female on deck, will proceed to second base. Runners advance accordingly if forced. The female must take her turn at bat.
18. R13 S4F Base runners may overrun second and third bases with no liability to be put out as long as they make no attempt to go to the next base. If those base runners touch second or third base when running by, they are liable to be tagged out by a fielder holding the ball.
19. With a play imminent at either second or third base, base runners must run to avoid a collision by running past the base, within 3 feet, on the side opposite from which the play is developing.
20. Every play made at every base shall be a force play, except when base runners are returning to a base already touched, runner needs to be tagged.
21. If a runner advances to the next base without actually touching the missed base, they are liable to be called out upon appeal by the fielding team.
22. R13 S4G Courtesy runners are allowed after the batter- base runner reaches 1st base and the play stops. A courtesy runner may then be substituted. If a courtesy runner is still on base when their turn to bat comes up - that runner must remain on base and an OUT is recorded for their turn at bat.
23. R14 S2A No courtesy runner may run more than once per inning.
24. R14 S3B Any player who slides or dives is automatically out.
League Play:
1. Team representatives, by majority vote, may instruct the Executive to warn, suspend or reprimand players or teams for unsportsmanlike conduct or breaking League rules.
2. Team representatives, by majority vote, may instruct the Executive on protests and Playing Rule interpretations.
3. In the spirit of good sportsmanship and fair play, NO arguing with umpires, discussions with coach/manager allowed.
4. A player must have participated in a minimum of five games with their team in order to play in the playoffs.
5. Players who play more than 2 games in the Competitive League in the current season are considered Competitive. Competitive players will not play in the Recreational League.
6. Women must be 50 plus in the year of play; men must be 55 plus in the year of play.
7. A yearly playoff committee will present a playoff format to be approved by a majority.