Softball Rules

Teams may start the game with 9 players with the missing player placed in the tenth spot in the order. That position shall be an automatic out. If the tenth player arrives, he/she must assume the tenth batting position.

 Teams will be required to furnish the umpire with one playable ball and the umpire has the right to reject any ball considered to be unplayable. All teams must have an additional ball ready when the ball is fouled out of play. Exchange of softballs with the pitcher is allowed after each 1/2 inning or when ball is hit or thrown out of the playing field, or at the discretion of the umpire(s). All balls for league play must be Core .44 or below and must be factory stamped with TAAF, ASA, USSSA, NSA, or any licensed softball sanctioned trademark. Balls may be purchased from the McMaster concession stand for $5.00.

No infield or batting practice on the playing field prior to your scheduled game. If games are rained out, you are not allowed to practice on the field. Teams must warm up in the outfield or the designated area between fields # 1 and # 4. Soft toss is not permitted against any of the fences in the McMaster Complex.

Tie games will go to One-Pitch play (3 balls, 2 strikes, 1 extra foul ball) after the time limit has expired, or 7 innings have been played. Play will continue until a winner is determined.

All League games (Men, Women, Church or Co-ed) will start with a 1-1 count (1 ball and 1 strike).

All Church Teams should consist of Church Members only. When selecting between Low and Medium League please be honest about your teams ability. Do not enter a team in a Low League just to improve your chances of winning a trophy. (This applies to any league, Men's, Church, Women or Co-ed). Teams winning their division are subject to being bumped up to the next level of play for the next season.

The Home Plate Umpire shall have the authority to make decisions on any situation not specifically covered by these rules or the A.S.A. Rule Book. When the game starts the Umpires are in complete control of the game.

Game time, as listed on the official league schedule will be forfeit time. No forfeit shall be declared earlier than the regularly scheduled time. This penalty cannot be waived. Although the umpires will be fair, the official time is the UMPIRES TIME only.

In case of a tie for a trophy at the conclusion of League play, the following tie-breaking procedure will be used to determine the order of finish.

Head-to-head results between teams that are tied will determine the winner.

If the teams split in head-to-head games, the run differential in those games will be used.

If teams are still tied, a playoff game will be scheduled by Parks & Recreation to determine the winner.

If a team is declared a winner by forfeit, they will have use of the field for practice (EXCEPT FOR THE LAST GAME OF THE NIGHT) until 10 minutes before the next scheduled game time. Umpires and Scorekeeper will NOT umpire or keep score for the forfeits.

Co-ed teams consist of equal number of men and women, but can start with nine players. 5 women and 4 men or 4 women and 5 men will be legal (tenth spot in the lineup will be an automatic out). Batting order must be staggered male/female. The pitcher and catcher must be a male/female combination. The outfield must have two males and two females. The infield must also have two males and two females. Core .44 Ball or below will be used (men 12 inch ball and women 11 inch ball). CO-ED ONLY; If the Male walks (intentional or unintentional), it is an automatic two (2) base walk. The female will bat. EXCEPTION; With two (2) outs, the female batter has the option to walk or hit.

This rule reflects on coaches, players, substitutes, or other bench personnel. Once a game begins, only players that are involved in the game can be outside the dugout except when the rule allows or the reason is justified by the umpire. A manager walking on the field for a conference is an example of a rule allowing a coach or player on the field. Players or coaches cannot be out of the dugout between innings to observe the game from behind the backstop or side screen. Players or coaches are not permitted to consult with the scorekeeper unless directed to do so by the home plate umpire. Any discrepancies regarding scoring or lineups must be communicated to the umpire by a coach or manager. The umpire will then consult with the scorekeeper to resolve any discrepancies.

Protests must be submitted in writing within 48 hours (Monday after Friday night games) after the game to the City of Georgetown Recreation Department with a $50.00 deposit (cash or check only). Checks should be made payable to the City of Georgetown. Failure to submit a written protest and check/cash within the designated 48 hours will void the protest. If the protest is upheld, the $50.00 will be returned. If the protest is not allowed, the $50.00 will be kept by the City of Georgetown. Protests must be handled as outlined in the A.S.A. Rule Book. Umpires must also document protest with an explanation of the call. Signature/date/time are also necessary.

Team rosters must be turned in at the time of registration. Players must be added to the roster prior to an individual playing. Adding players to a team roster must be done at the Recreation Center by a coach or official team representative. Phone in and faxed additions will no longer be accepted. No players can be added the last two weeks of regular league schedule. Players cannot shift from MEDIUM to LOW LEAGUE on the same night of the week. There is a 2-week period of ineligibility when changing teams. Allowing players to play who are not on your roster can result in forfeiting the game. Only the opposing team captain or manager may protest illegal or ineligible players (see rule 20 regarding protest procedures). Protest of illegal player(s) must be done during the game while the player in question is in the lineup. Players must be able to produce proper ID when requested by an umpire or scorekeeper. Rosters are limited to 20 players. Players can play on only 1 team per night. Players playing under an assumed name may be suspended for the remainder of the league. If it is the last game of league play, suspension may be enforced at the beginning of the next league. PARTICIPANTS MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO PLAY IN THE ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUES.

Official lineup cards must be picked up from the concession stand or the official scorekeeper. Lineups must be turned in to the scorekeeper TEN MINUTES prior to your scheduled game time. Players listed on your scorecard MUST BE PRESENT AT THE BALLFIELD. If lineups are not turned in as specified above, the opposing team has the option to choose Home or Visitor.

Drinking of alcoholic beverages by anyone connected with your team will not be permitted during your scheduled game. Violations may result in a 2-week suspension. If the violation occurs during the last 2 weeks of league play, the game may be forfeited. Umpires have the authority to remove players under the influence of alcohol for safety of the players.

No smoking is permitted on the playing field. Smoking is only permitted outside the fenced area of the park.

Players must wear shirts, pants or playing shorts, and shoes at all times. No metal cleats or hard football type cleats can be worn in league play.

In event of rain or light failure, 4 1/2 innings or 1/2 of the playing time will constitute a game, provided home team is ahead. If games have not reached this point they will be replayed from the start. The score of a called regulation game (4 1/2 innings or 1/2 of the playing time) shall be the score at the end of the last complete inning.

Rain-Out number to call after 4:00 P.M. is (512) 931-7719. Please do not call before 4:00 P.M. If there is no recorded message about the games being rained out, we will intend to play them as scheduled. Rain occurring after 4:00 P.M. will delay notification on the recording. Reschedule information will be posted on the recording when possible. Reschedule information will also be posted at the georgetownparks.org website.

Ejection of a player(s) from a game may result in a 2-week or four game suspension for Men's and Co-ed leagues (if playing in both Men's and Co-ed. leagues). For Church and Women's leagues, 2 weeks or 2 games apply. If there is a Flagrant Violation, players may be suspended for the remainder of league or season. If it is the last game of the league or season, the player(s) may be suspended for the next league or season. If playing in multiple leagues, the player(s) may be suspended, as specified above from participation in all leagues. The Superintendent shall make decisions on all suspensions.

Run rule will be in effect as follows: 15 runs after four innings, 12 runs after five innings, or 12 runs after forty-five minutes of play. (Losing Team must bat in last inning). If a team is losing a game due to the designated run rule, the manager may express their desire to continue play.  The umpire will continue play until time has expired or the losing team concedes.  The losing team may concede at any point during an inning.  The score of the game, when stopped, will be the official score used for league standings.

A limit of over-the-fence home runs will be used in all league games. All balls hit over the fence by a team in excess of the limitations per game will be ruled on as follows:

The batter will be ruled out for any home runs over the limit. Anytime the batter is ruled out because of the excess home run rule, the ball is dead and no runners can advance.